BreyerFest 2026 — Kentucky

Lexington • Louisville • Frankfort
Thu Jul 9 – Sun Jul 12, 2026 • Chase + Evelyn (R&G return TBD)
🥇 🥇 🥇 🥇 🥇
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🏆 Trip overview

📍 Map

✈️ Thu Jul 9 — Fly in

Travel day
  • 4:36 PM FlightDL 2599 MSN → ATL (arrive 7:59 PM)
  • 8:48 PM FlightDL 3082 ATL → LEX (arrive 10:04 PM)
  • 10:30 PM Pick up rental car (per National conf #2113107140 at 11:30p), check in at The Manchester
  • 11:00 PM BarGranddam bar nightcap (open till 11 PM)
    Welcome-to-KY drink + small bite if appetite (oysters, charcuterie). Lost Palm rooftop is adult-only if Reid Sr + Gloria want their own moment.

🥇 Fri Jul 10 — Keeneland workouts, Buffalo Trace, Hagyard

Lexington / Frankfort • BreyerFest opens today
  • 6:30 AM HorsesKeeneland morning workouts (FREE)
    Horses train on the actual track 7–10 AM, Apr–Oct. Track Kitchen serves $5 breakfast with the trainers and grooms. ~12 min from hotel.
  • 8:30 AM Drive Lex → Frankfort (~30 min)
  • 10:00 AM Buffalo TraceBuffalo Trace FREE Trace Tour — 75 min • QR CODE IN HAND 📱
    Booked via The Manchester concierge (5/20), QR tickets received (5/22). #1 family-friendly distillery — home of Pappy, Blanton's, Eagle Rare. Tour ends ~11:15 AM, then daily allocated-bottle drawing + gift shop.
  • 11:30 AM LunchFirehouse Sandwich Stop (Buffalo Trace grounds) — 30 min
    Fastest option: eat on-site right after the tour. Saves the drive back into Frankfort downtown.
  • 12:00 PM Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory (116 E 2nd St, Frankfort)
    Inventor of the bourbon ball (since 1919). 30-min tour, kids watch candy made + samples. 10/10 kid-friendliness.
  • 12:40 PM Drive Frankfort → Hagyard (~45 min)
  • 1:30 PM HorsesHagyard Equine Medical Institute — 90-min tour • CONFIRMED B61F52
    World's oldest equine hospital. 4250 Iron Works Pike. Surgery suite, ICU, neonatal — Evelyn-anchor activity for a future vet. 3 adults + 1 child, $133.40 paid (booked 4/11/26).
  • 3:05 PM Drive next door to KY Horse Park (~5 min — same road as Hagyard)
  • 3:15 PM BreyerFestBreyerFest — model pickup + Vendor Marketplace
    Friday hours 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (BreyerFest Store opens 11 AM). Models are reserved — no lines necessary. Pick up at the VIP Tent (VIP tickets) or Event Model Handout (other tickets). Browse the Store + Vendor Marketplace, peek at the Covered Arena guest horses. ~1.5 hr is plenty.
  • 5:00 PM BreyerFest closes — back to Manchester to freshen up (~15 min)
  • 6:30 PM DinnerCole's on Main (735 E Main St, Lexington)
    Family favorite — been before, farm-to-table American, ~8 min drive from Manchester. Reserve OpenTable.

Horse Country / Taylor Made dropped from Friday — BreyerFest pickup takes that slot. Old Friends Sat 9 AM still delivers the thoroughbred-farm experience. Castle & Key also cut to keep Hagyard 1:30 PM on time.

🥇 Sat Jul 11 — Old Friends + Whispering Woods ride + Joey + Hot Brown

Georgetown → Louisville
  • 8:00 AM BreakfastNorth Lime Donuts (575 N Limestone)
  • 9:00 AM HorsesOld Friends Thoroughbred Retirement, Georgetown
    Retired racehorses including Kentucky Derby + Breeders' Cup winners. Tours run on the hour. ~25 min north of Lex.
  • 11:00 AM LunchGalvin's on Main, Georgetown
  • 11:45 AM Drive Georgetown → Frankfort (~30 min)
  • 12:15 PM Buffalo TraceBuffalo Trace gift shop + daily drawing (~30 min)
    Quick stop #2 of the trip — daily allocated-bottle drawing entry, hit the rotation. No tour, walk in/out.
  • 12:45 PM Drive Frankfort → Louisville (~50 min)
  • 1:45 PM HorsesKentucky Derby Museum + Guided Track Visit at Churchill Downs
    704 Central Ave, Louisville. Open Sat 8 AM–5 PM. General admission includes 2 levels of interactive exhibits, "The Greatest Race" 360-degree film, a 25-min Guided Track Visit on the grounds, resident Thoroughbred + miniature horse, Derby Café & Bourbon Bar. Closes the thoroughbred arc started at Old Friends.
  • 4:00 PM HorsesVisit Joey at his Louisville farm
    Family connection — confirm time + exact address with Joey ahead of trip.
  • 6:30 PM DinnerJ. Graham's Café @ The Brown Hotel (335 W Broadway)
    THE ORIGINAL HOT BROWN — invented here 1926. Book on OpenTable.
  • 8:30 PM Drive back to Lex (~75 min)
  • 10:00 PM Home at Manchester

🏆 Sun Jul 12 — BreyerFest closing day + fly home

Kentucky Horse Park → LEX airport
Heads up: Return flight departs LEX 5:56 PM — aim to leave KY Horse Park by 2:30 PM and arrive at LEX by 3:30 PM.
  • 8:00 AM BrunchGranddam sit-down brunch (in-hotel)
    Weekend brunch 9 AM–1:30 PM (we'll arrive at the early end). Proper send-off meal at the Manchester. Check out around 9:30 AM after.
  • 10:00 AM Drive to Frankfort (~40 min)
  • 10:40 AM Buffalo TraceBuffalo Trace gift shop + daily drawing (~30 min)
    Final Buffalo Trace stop of the trip — last drawing entry, last bottle hunt.
  • 11:10 AM BourbonCastle & Key grounds (10 min from BT, ~30 min walk)
    Restored 1887 castle, sunken gardens, springhouse. FREE grounds access — walk the grounds, no tour. The "bonus distillery."
  • 11:40 AM Drive Frankfort → KY Horse Park (~40 min)
  • 12:20 PM BreyerFestBreyerFest at KY Horse Park — closing day
    Models already picked up Friday. ~2 hours at the park: model-horse shows, Stablemates painting, 2 PM Parade of Breeds, International Museum of the Horse. Tight but focused.
  • 12:00 PM LunchBreyerFest food stalls
  • 1:00 PM International Museum of the Horse
    Smithsonian affiliate, covered by park admission.
  • 2:00 PM HorsesParade of Breeds show
  • 2:30 PM Leave KY Horse Park, return rental car
  • 3:30 PM Arrive LEX (2 hrs before departure)
  • 5:56 PM FlightDL 3143 LEX → ATL (arrive 7:30 PM • Delta Main Classic / U)
  • 9:32 PM FlightDL 2144 ATL → MSN (arrive 10:38 PM)
  • 11:15 PM Home

⚡ Reid Sr. + Gloria — return TBD

No flights booked as of 5/20

R&G's Manchester room (#146109, Reid Phillips) currently checks out Sun Jul 12 alongside Chase + Evelyn. If they book a later return (Mon or Tue), call The Manchester at (859) 785-3850 or [email protected] to add nights. Optional Mon–Tue add-ons: Castle & Key formal tour, Slugger Museum, Mega Cavern, additional Buffalo Trace drawing entries.

🥇 Horse plan — built around Evelyn (12, horse-mad)

The bluegrass / racehorse / model-horse stack is the spine of this trip. Most are bookable through visithorsecountry.com.

Fri Jul 10 6:30 AMKeeneland morning workoutsFREE. Horses train on the actual race track. Track Kitchen $5 breakfast. Earliest = best horses + best light.
Fri Jul 10 1:30 PM • CONFIRMED B61F52Hagyard Equine Medical InstituteWorld's oldest equine hospital. 90-min behind-the-scenes tour. Surgery suite, ICU, neonatal — this is the one for a future vet. 3 adults + 1 child, $133.40 paid.
Fri Jul 10 3:15–5:00 PMBreyerFest — model pickupPark is next door to Hagyard (same road!). Friday hours 8:30 AM–5 PM. Pick up reserved models, browse Store + Vendor Marketplace, peek at Covered Arena.
Sat Jul 11 9:00 AMOld Friends Thoroughbred RetirementGeorgetown. Retired racehorses including Derby + Breeders' Cup winners. Tours hourly. ~$15/adult, kids cheaper.
Sat Jul 11 1:45 PMKentucky Derby Museum + Churchill DownsLouisville. 25-min Guided Track Visit included. Closes the thoroughbred arc from Old Friends. Open Sat 8 AM–5 PM.
Sat Jul 11 4:00 PMVisit Joey's farm, LouisvilleFamily connection — not bookable, just a visit. Confirm time + address with Joey.
Fri Jul 10 3:15–5:00 PM (model pickup) • Sun Jul 12 8 AM–2:30 PM (closing day)BreyerFest at KY Horse ParkFri afternoon = quick model-pickup stop right after Hagyard (next door). Sun = closing-day deep-dive: Breyer releases, model-horse shows, Parade of Breeds 2 PM, International Museum of the Horse on-site (Smithsonian affiliate, included). Leave Sun by 2:30 PM for the airport.

Buffalo Trace — all three days 🎯

Trace Tour Fri (QR in hand). Daily allocated-bottle drawing entries every day — max chances at the rotation. Castle & Key as the bonus distillery paired with the Sun sweep.

Fri Jul 10 10:00 AM • QR IN HANDBuffalo Trace FREE Trace Tour (75 min)Booked via Manchester concierge. Gift shop + drawing entry #1 after.
Fri Jul 10 12:00 PMRebecca Ruth Candy Factory116 E 2nd St, Frankfort. Bourbon-ball inventor (1919). 30-min tour.
Sat Jul 11 12:15 PMBuffalo Trace gift shop + drawing #230-min stop in the Georgetown → Louisville drive. No tour, in/out.
Sun Jul 12 10:40 AMBuffalo Trace gift shop + drawing #3 — finalLast drawing entry of the trip. Last bottle hunt.
Sun Jul 12 11:10 AM • BONUS DISTILLERYCastle & Key10 min from Buffalo Trace. Walk the FREE grounds — restored 1887 castle, sunken gardens. Pairs perfectly with the Sun BT stop.

Already done in past KY trips: Maker's Mark, Angel's Envy, Heaven Hill, Woodford.

🏇 Evelyn in the saddle — ride options

Updated 5/23: Whispering Woods trail ride dropped from the plan. Sat afternoon swapped for Churchill Downs / Kentucky Derby Museum — the thoroughbred-arc closer. Riding options below are kept here for reference if Evelyn wants a same-day add-on at KY Horse Park Sunday.

Sat Jul 11 12:30 PM • DROPPED 5/23 Whispering Woods Riding Stables Replaced by Churchill Downs / Kentucky Derby Museum Sat afternoon
Kept for reference only. whisperingwoodstrails.com
Bonus • Sun Jul 12 (BreyerFest morning) Kentucky Horse Park trail rides Same park as BreyerFest!
Lovely meta moment: ride at the park she's there to celebrate. Ages 7+ / 4 ft min / under 240 lbs. Pony rides also available for ages 2–10 (under 100 lbs / 4 ft).
Format: Guided trail rides through the park.
Booking: First-come, first-served, same-day at the Visitor Center. Tight on Sun — we leave the park by 2:30 PM for the airport. Only viable if you can grab a morning slot.
Backup Stepping Stone Ranch Lexington area
Family-friendly, customizable rides for any level. Worth holding as a Plan B if Whispering Woods sells out the Friday window.
Booking tip: Whispering Woods fills up summer weekends. Call once you have BreyerFest tickets locked — aim to book by early June for the Sat Jul 11 12:30 PM slot.

🍽️ Dining plan

In-hotel (The Manchester)

Granddam
Bluegrass brasserie • Thu nightcap (bar) + Sun brunch sit-down
Lost Palm
Rooftop, 21+ only — adults' date night.

Must-dos

Cole's on Main
735 E Main, Lex • Family favorite • Fri Jul 10 6:30 PM dinner
J. Graham's Café @ Brown Hotel
Louisville • Original Hot Brown • Sat Jul 11 7:00 PM dinner
Ramsey's Diner
Lexington • Burgoo + hot brown, casual (backup)

Backups

Carson's Food & Drink
362 E Main, Lex • Steakhouse, family-friendly
Merrick Inn
Lex • Fried chicken, spoon bread
Windy Corner Market
Lex horse country • Shrimp & grits po-boy • scenic drive
Stella's Kentucky Deli
Lex • Benedictine BLT, pimento cheese
Feast BBQ
Louisville NuLu • Walkable from Rabbit Hole

✈️ Flights — Delta, Conf# GMU862 (Gold Medallion)

Outbound — Thu Jul 9

DL 2599: MSN 4:36 PM → ATL 7:59 PM
DL 3082: ATL 8:48 PM → LEX 10:04 PM

Return (Chase + Evelyn) — Sun Jul 12 • UPDATED 5/20

DL 3143: LEX 5:56 PM → ATL 7:30 PM • Delta Main Classic (U)
DL 2144: ATL 9:32 PM → MSN 10:38 PM • Delta Main Classic (U)

Return (Reid Sr. + Gloria) — TBD

Not yet booked as of 5/20. Could be Sun, Mon, or Tue. Once booked, may need to extend Manchester room 2 (currently checks out Sun).

🚗 Rental car — National (Emerald Club)

🏆 Luxury class — Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series or similar (automatic)
Confirmation: 2113107140
Primary driver: Elizabeth (Chase) Olson
Additional driver: Reid Phillips (Dad) — included on reservation, can drive any time
Account: EPIC SYSTEMS/OUT OF WI ONLY • Emerald Club #706079824
Pickup: Lexington Blue Grass Airport (LEX) — Emerald Counter — Thu Jul 9, 11:30 PM
Return: LEX — Sun Jul 12, 4:30 PM
Add-ons: Loss Damage Waiver (included), Unlimited Mileage
Estimated total: $245.32 (3 days × $60 + KY taxes/fees)
Payment: VISA ending 6092 • Reward type: Rental Credits
LEX desk: 4000 Terminal Dr, Ste 103 • +1 844-887-8401

Pickup updated 5/20 to Thu Jul 9 11:30 PM (we land 10:04 PM, ~1.5 hr to deplane + walk to Emerald counter at LEX). 3 days of rental.

🏨 Hotel — The Manchester, Lexington

Updated 5/20 via front desk (Lexi). Both rooms shortened to 3 nights (Jul 9–12, checkout Sun Jul 12).

Room 1 (Chase + Evelyn): Conf 146110 • Guest: Elizabeth Olson
Jul 9 check-in • Jul 12 checkout (3 nights)
Room 2 (Reid Sr. + Gloria): Conf 146109 • Guest: Reid Phillips
Jul 9 check-in • Jul 12 checkout (3 nights) • may need to extend pending flight booking

Front desk: (859) 785-3850 • [email protected]

Cancelled / superseded: Ashbrook Hotel Frankfort (itinerary 9086181095126, cancelled Mar 15); original Manchester conf 41192SG091902 replaced by 146110/146109.

📧 Manchester email thread — reservation update (May 20, 2026)

From: Lexi, Front Desk Supervisor — The Manchester
Sent: May 20, 2026

"Absolutely, both reservations have been updated to depart on Sunday 7/12/26. If there's anything else we can assist you with in the meantime please let us know and have a great day."

Best,
Lexi Front Desk Supervisor • FRONT DESK TEAM
(859) 785-3850 • [email protected] • themanchesterky.com

The Manchester | 2025 Key Hotels: ONE KEY – MICHELIN Guide
The Manchester | Best Hotels & Lodging 2025: GOLD – Best of Lexington
The Manchester | The World's Greatest Places of 2024 – TIME
Lost Palm | Most Beautiful Restaurant in Kentucky – People and OpenTable

On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 11:54 AM, Chase Olson <[email protected]> wrote:
"This is wonderful and thank you so much! We now unfortunately need to leave on Sunday. Could you update our reservations to check out then?"

On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 10:22 AM, Front Desk <[email protected]> wrote:

"Good morning,

We are so excited to host your stay! After reviewing our system I can confirm we have:

— Elizabeth Olson (146110): 7/9/26 – 7/13/26
— Reid Phillips (146109): 7/9/26 – 7/13/26

If anything needs to change, please let us know. Have a great day."

☑ To book / pre-trip checklist

  • Done
  • Done 5/22
  • Done 5/20
  • ASAP
  • After flights
  • Done 4/11
  • Decided 5/21
  • By Jun
  • Decided 5/23
  • Walk-in OK, can pre-book
  • Day-of
  • 2 wks out
  • 2 wks out
  • 2 wks out
  • Done
  • By Jun
  • Done