Spring is beginning to show its face in the Bluegrass. Pastures are slowly changing from brown to green, mares and foals are in abundance, and as of March 15, all of the Kentucky Horse Park attractions are up and running. Time for “Part II” of our 3-part series on the Horse Park (see the first entry here).

One exciting activity for Horse Park visitors is the 35-minute trail ride around the outskirts of the park as well as the children’s pony rides. But if you’re touring the grounds on foot, be sure to check out the numerous sculptures and memorials that dot the park. From the Man o’ War statue just inside the park’s entrance to the life-sized Secretariat bronze to world champion event Bruce Davidson depicted aboard Eagle Lion, the Horse Park is home to some beautiful works of art. 

From Patti Nickell’s Horse Lover’s Guide to Kentucky: “The magic begins with Man o’ War’s statue at the entrance to the park. The legendary stallion, nicknamed “Big Red” during his racing career, won 20 of 21 races, breaking old records and setting new ones. “Watching him run,” wrote one sportswriter, “was like watching a living flame go down the track.”
After retiring from racing, he came back to Kentucky, where during his 27-year stud career he sired 379 named foals, most notably War Admiral. When he died in 1947, his body lay in state for three days, allowing 2,000 sorrowful racing fans to pay their last respects.
But Man o’ War is only one of the Thoroughbred giants honored at the park. Just to the right of the visitor’s center is another magnificent statue Ñ this one of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, who, half a century after Man o’ War, also became known to his legion of fans as Big Red