Casual race fans know Claiborne best as the last home of Secretariat, who stood at stud there after electrifying the racing world with his record-shattering Triple Crown wins in 1973. But the farm's history stretches back more than half a century before that and boasts a long list of champion horses either bred, foaled, or raced there. In this profile, his widow, Waddell Hancock, reminisces about that history and talks about the future of Claiborne, now run by her son Seth. Claiborne is not regularly open to public tours. The Claiborne Farm Web site includes photos and an extensive history of the farm and its horses, along with information on current sires.
History also looms large at our next stop.
In 1883, Louisville hosted the Southern Exposition on land that was then outside the city. When the exposition closed in 1887, the land was sold for home lots, and the area became the city's first suburb. Now it's known as St. James Court and is one of Louisville's most beautiful historic neighborhoods. Its exterior, featuring masses of hand-carved stone, showcases the gargoyles, swags, and massive arches of the period. The architectural delights continue inside, where visitors also get a taste of Victorian opulence in the period furnishings.