Both the town and the county were named in appreciation for French aid during the Revolution, one for the capital of France and the other for the French ruling house. One of Kentucky's earliest distilleries named the liquor it produced for the county.
Horses are an integral part of Kentucky's contribution to thoroughbred racing.
These farms form the hub of the horse breeding and racing industry in the Bluegrass State. Perhaps the most prestigious horse farm in Bourbon County is Claiborne Farm. This world famous 3,400 acre horse farm is the largest thoroughbred breeding farm in the world. While touring Claiborne Farm, you can stand in awe at the grave sites of many of the world's most famous thoroughbred race horses and listen carefully as their footsteps can still be heard racing through history. Yearlings can also be seen, being broken to ride by veteran jockeys during morning workouts.