29-04-2025
What does it take to get a horse to Churchill Downs?
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Derby Week is here, and as we get closer to Saturday, there will be hundreds of thousands of people traveling to Kentucky. But what about the stars of the show?
When people think of Kentucky, they think about Churchill Downs and the Derby. But there is no Kentucky Derby without the horses. That's why the one-horse transportation service here in Lexington said they have a big task ahead of them, one that might not be as easy as you think.
For more than 50 years, Sallee Horse Vans has been transporting some of the world's top horses from coast to coast. Come springtime, the company is as busy as ever, working around the clock, transporting horses for some big races. President and owner Nicole Pieratt said no matter if the horse they're transporting is a derby horse, Breeders' Cup horse, or even a pony, Sallee Horse Vans takes pride in its important work.
'Professional horse transportation is important because the trainers are busy worrying about training those athletes, and they work the logistics with us, but they trust that we're going to take care of their horses in the most professional manner possible, and they leave that to us,' said Pieratt.
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Pieratt said that more than half the horses competing in this year's derby have traveled with them, including Sandman, Burnham Square, and Flying Mohawk. As for the Kentucky Oaks, they have transported horses like Anna's Promise and La Cara, just to name a few.
But getting your favorite horses to the track starts with safety.
The company transports thoroughbreds and other breeds throughout the U.S. and do so by building their own semi-trailers from the ground up. Once a horse is inside, they box the horse in the stall, allowing each owner to choose which stall best fits the needs of their horse. Pieratt said it's one of the many safety protocols they have to make sure every horse has the best experience.
'Well, imagine you're flying; you can go coach, or you can go first class. You can imagine most of these horses go first class. They travel in a box stall that would simulate being at home with their water, their hay, and make it as comfortable as they can, getting them from point A to B,' said Pieratt.
What does it take to get a horse to Churchill Downs?
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Each trailer has two specially certified drivers, and the company also has a layover barn where they provide around-the-clock care and security.
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