The Sounds of the Backside at Churchill Downs: Kentucky Derby Museum’s Barn & Backside Tour

The Sounds of the Backside at Churchill Downs: Kentucky Derby Museum’s Barn & Backside Tour
The sound of horses running, birds chirping, people talking and horse shoes pattering on the pavement are just a few indicators that Churchill Downs is “waking up” in the pre-dawn hours. When most people are asleep, exercise riders and trainers workout their thoroughbreds in order to prepare for upcoming races.

I am relatively new to the horseracing industry and have recently begun an internship with the Kentucky Derby Museum. I had been to Churchill Downs several times before I began this internship; however, I never realized how much there is to see.

I recently went on the Kentucky Derby Museum’s Barn & Backside Tour. It is an hour long tour which takes guests by van to the backside. I had the opportunity to see a handful of horses workout on the track. It was a great experience to see the horses up close and personal and to interact with the exercise riders as they rode by.

As we gear up to Derby (only 45 days from the time I write this), I hear even more horses will arrive here at Churchill Downs. Did you know they can house more than 1400 horses here in the barn area? Come share the excitement with us!

~Paige Wills, Kentucky Derby Museum Intern



 

Here are some of my pictures from the tour...

  • The Sounds of the Backside at Churchill Downs: Kentucky Derby Museum’s Barn & Backside Tour
  • The Sounds of the Backside at Churchill Downs: Kentucky Derby Museum’s Barn & Backside Tour
  • The Sounds of the Backside at Churchill Downs: Kentucky Derby Museum’s Barn & Backside Tour