Barn and Backside Tour

Did you know there’s a vibrant community of horses and horsemen who live and work on the Backside of Churchill Downs? (Yes, there’s even a church onsite!) In this guided van tour, you'll ride among the signature green-roofed barns that are home to 1,400 horses during the racing and training season. In addition to the horses, you’ll also see some of the hundreds of people who live and work on the Backside as they care for and train the world-class Thoroughbreds. You never know who you may see on the Backside – a legendary Derby trainer or even next year’s Triple Crown winner! Bring your camera for panoramic views of the racetrack, Grandstand, and the historic Twin Spires™.

The Barn and Backside Tour is a great tour for horse lovers, but please note that guests will not be able to touch the horses.

Visiting in Winter? The Backside looks a little different during the Winter season. Horses aren’t stabled at Churchill Downs from December – mid March, but you’ll still get plenty of insight for life on the Backside, plus an up close look at Triple Crown winner, Secretariat’s historic barn and stall.

Barn and Backside Tour Schedule:

April – November

Monday - Saturday

• 7:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. (Thoroughbreds working out on the track!)
• 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.

Sunday

• 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.

December – March

Monday - Saturday

• 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m.

Sunday

• 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m.