Kentucky Thoroughbred Country-High Stakes in the Bluegrass, May, 2003 National Geographic Magazine
Thoroughbred horses thunder down the race track and Churchill Downs and Keeneland in Kentucky. It is a billion dollar industry dedicated to training horses. Breeders, jockeys, veterianarians, and farm owners, are just a few people whose lives revolve around horses. The hope is to win the big one--the Kentucky Derby. But behind the scenes is a life filled with traditions, glamour and a simple life.
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Thoroughbreds thunder down the track into the...
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Stylish hats are a long-standing tradition at...
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Waiting in the paddock before a race is 54-year...
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A mud-splattered face alludes to the hardships...
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The Bluegrass Region is rich with lore and...
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Prized stud and 1995 Derby winner Thunder Gulch...
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Dr West waiting for birth--April and May are...
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Foals are fitted with a halter and put into a...
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A white foal and his mother at Patchen Wilkes...
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The blossoms of crab apple and cherry trees are...
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Aerial of private training track on Stone Farm,...
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Dreams are built on the hope of having a young...
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White fences and thoroughbred horses at famed...
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White barns with red trim add charm to ambiance...
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Sunset on fences in the early spring on a...
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Farm manager and the watchmen deliver the foal...
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A mare licks her newborn foal in the barn after...
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Within hours of birthm the foal is fitted for a...
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Frisky foals play romp and play in the pasture...
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Foal dozes off whie his mother eats closer on a...
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Thoroughbred mares and foals at famed Calumet...
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White fences and thoroughbred horses at famed...
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Arthur Hancock and his wife Staci own Stone...
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Yearling thoroughbreds race along a ridgetop on...
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The horses are most often sold at public...
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Riders warm up Derby prospects in the early...
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Steam rises from a horse being cooled down...
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Horses break from the starting gate and run...
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Horses on the first turn of a race at Churchill...
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War Emblem races down the final stretch to win...
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Blur of fast moving horses race down the...
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Horses run down a turf track at Churchill Downs.
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Fans crowd the Infield on Derby Day.
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Yearling thoroughbreds race along a ridgetop on...
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Seattle Slew, famous Triple Crown thoroughbred...
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Flowers and stones mark the graves of champion...
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Some of the world's fastest Thoroughbreds--like...
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Spirited young foal runs when turned out in the...
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Curious yearling thoroughbred on Manchester...
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Curious yearling thoroughbred on Manchester...
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A white foal and his mother at Patchen Wilkes...
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A white foal and his mother at Patchen Wilkes...
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A white foal greets another foal at Patchen...
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Arthur Hancock and his wife Staci own Stone...
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Arthur Hancock loves and plays bluegrass music....
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Arthur Hancock helps steady a newborn foal at...
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A mare licks her newborn foal in the barn after...
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A white foal runs in the pasture at Patchen...