The park was funded through a public-private partnership between the city of Lexington and private horse industry donors.
The bronze sculptures include a lead horse, jockey, and several trailing horses to simulate the dynamics of a race.
The park occupies the site of a former industrial area, representing a significant urban renewal project for the city.
Gwen Reardon, the sculptor, spent extensive time observing live Thoroughbreds at local farms to ensure anatomical accuracy.
The park's design mimics the rolling terrain characteristic of the Bluegrass Region surrounding Lexington.
It is specifically located at the convergence of Main Street and Midland Avenue, a historic commercial corridor.
Thoroughbred Park is a 2.5-acre public space in downtown Lexington designed to commemorate the region's history as a center for Thoroughbred horse breeding. The park features a collection of seven life-sized bronze statues of horses and jockeys created by sculptor Gwen Reardon. These sculptures are arranged to depict a race in progress, capturing the motion and anatomy of the animals. Opened in 1991, the park serves as a gateway to the downtown area and is situated at a major urban intersection. The landscape includes tiered stone walls, native Kentucky bluegrass, and mature trees providing shaded seating. It functions as an open-air museum and a common gathering point for locals and tourists.
Position yourself at the bottom of the tiered stone wall to capture the statues with the downtown skyline or the park's landscaping in the background.
Visit during the early morning or late afternoon when the bronze statues catch the sun at angles that highlight their muscular detail.
The park is best viewed by walking the perimeter path to see the horses from different angles, simulating the perspective of a race spectator.
Use the provided benches near the stone walls for a quiet place to observe the busy downtown intersection.
Do not attempt to climb or sit on the bronze horse sculptures, as this is discouraged to preserve the patina and detail of the artwork.
