Barn and Backside Tour

March 25 thru November 30, excluding Derby season

This is your opportunity to experience the Backside of Churchill Downs Racetrack and see Thoroughbreds in their environment. This area is closed to the general public and is available only to Museum guests!

On any given day of training, visitors could see a two-year-old in line to win next year’s Derby, a nine-year-old nearing retirement or a Derby winner themselves. Along with more than 1,400 stalls, catch horses during a bath or getting new horseshoes, and learn about the fascinating community that lives on the Backside!

Barn and Backside Workout Tour:

7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Take the workout tour for the best chance to see Thoroughbreds in action, training on the track! Workouts end daily at 10 a.m.

$20 per person plus Museum admission required

Barn and Backside Tour:

$15 per person plus Museum admission required

Both tour options:

Lasts 1-hour

Limited to 12 people, suggest purchasing in advance

Children on this tour are required to be eight years and older, or taller than 57 inches, in compliance with Kentucky state law.

Van stops will accommodate picture-taking trackside (time and weather permitting).

Guests must be escorted by a tour guide at all times and are not allowed inside of barns

Barn and Backside Tour Schedule:

Available March 25 - November 30 (Not available Thurby, Kentucky Oaks or Derby Day)

Monday - Saturday
7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.

Sunday
11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.

View amendments to our normal hours of operation