How to book your Kim Bailey stable tour place

Tour Summary

Located in the Cotswolds we have put together a special package for anyone interested in horse racing – a fun and entertaining morning including breakfast, a trip to the gallops and an informative stable tour with Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Grand National-winning trainer Kim Bailey.

But don't just take our word for it ...

"The visit to Kim's stables was fantastic we really enjoyed ourselves. We will try and find another one next year. Also the help you gave us helped everything go smoothly, on the day so thank you for that..." Colin and Pauline

"Loved every minute of it. Kim, Clare and the Thorndale Farm team were fantastic, so friendly and hospitable. Learn't so much about what goes on from buying, choosing, training and racing the horses. Kim has got a fantastic set-up there, very professional and knowledgeable on everything. Would highly recommend the tour..." Tracey and Kev

"I had a fantastic morning visiting Kim Baileys stable. Kim and his team were first class and the breakfast was fantastic too! I would definitely recommend to any horse racing enthusiasts. Top class..." Andrew Lee

" Absolutely fantastic!!! We really enjoyed the stable tour and the breakfast after, eveyone made us feel so welcome, after the tour Kim let us go round by ourselves so we got more time to go back to see the horses and chat to the people who look after them. We were very impressed by it all, it was clear to see Kim is so busy but he took the time to chat to us and even have breakfast with us. It was fascinating listening to him and his stories. We will be returning in the future..." Jo and Stuart

"I travelled over from Ireland to attend Kim Bailey's stables for a morning on the gallops and stable tour. When I arrived I was welcomed by Kim and his wife, Clare, and provided with a cup of tea along with the briefing of the morning schedule. Yes this was a special day and good value for money. I would recommend it to anyone who may intend making a stable tour... Go for it! Ed Keating

"...we all really enjoyed our morning at Kim's stables everyone was really friendly, we felt welcome and that we could ask any questions we wanted. Nothing was too much trouble and the breakfast was great. I have recommended it to a few people and would do it again. Please pass on our thanks to Kim and the team and we'll all be looking out for his horses when they race..." Allyson, Sheila and Ian Lupton and Steve Martin

"...Ian had a lovely time thank you, he really enjoyed it and was made to feel very welcome by the all the team especially Kim..." Emma Riddell

"...the stable tour was fantastic - Nick told me afterwards that it was the best present he had ever received! Kim was great and we will recommend the tour to everyone we know with an interest in racing..." Sarah Raffel

"...we had a brilliant time thank you. Kim and his team were very generous about sharing their knowledge in an interesting and engaging way. We were made to feel as if we genuinely were getting a behind the scenes look at the yard and the intricacies of managing the workloads on horses, riders and trainers. The hospitality was excellent and we would thoroughly recommend the morning..." Jill Stuart and Trevor Stuart, along with Bettina and Richard Abraham.

"...my husband and father really enjoyed the tour. They were so impressed by the informative tour and how Kim shared his knowledge and memories so openly. It was money well spent and I will be recommending this tour to others. Thanks again for everything and I wish you the very best of luck for the future..." Teresa Riordan

"...we had a fabulous time touring the stables with Kim and hearing stories of each of the horses and the workings of running the stables.  It was mind blowing seeing the work and dedication from the team to keep everything running in a very professional and relaxed manner. It was also a bonus to meet Sam Thomas, who was there to ride some of the horses out on the gallops. The morning finished off with a well received hearty breakfast – many thanks to Kim’s wife Clare. I would highly recommend the tour to any racing enthusiastic.  We enjoyed it so much we would like to do it all over again..." Sandy Page

"...we absolutely loved it, you were extremely helpful when it came towards organising a date and Kim made us both feel immensely welcome, as did Kerry. All the team were pleasant. I feel that we were looked after very well right from the start of the booking process with yourself, right up until we left Kim’s yard. Thank you once again..." Hollie Watts

"...we had a fabulous morning, thoroughly enjoyed it and very interesting!  We felt the experience was very personal and very informal, but informative which was really nice. The surroundings are beautiful and yourself, Kim, his wife and Kerry were all very hospitable and very friendly. A lovely experience and a birthday gift that Nigel will remember..." Christine Hennessey

"...it was great to see what happens behind the scenes. Kim and his team are obviously very passionate about what they do and keen to share their knowledge which was great. It was very relaxed and you felt able to ask lots of questions. The breakfast was great too! I would thoroughly recommend the experience and would definitely use Course and Distance again..." Jackie Kibbler

"...it was absolutely amazing! I would strongly recommend it to anyone. Kim was warming and friendly, informative and clearly extremely passionate about his work, which is a way of life. His wife's breakfast was superb, and all in all a fantastic way to spend a morning. Huge, huge thanks to Kim and his team..." Odette Green

"...my parents thoroughly enjoyed their morning, they couldn't praise Kim and his team highly enough. Everyone made them feel really welcome, they were given great insight into the training/racing profession and they were delighted to see the passion Kim and all his staff have for the horses.  There was no skimping with the hearty breakfast either. A massive thank you to everyone at Kim's stables for making the morning so memorable. We will certainly recommend it to others..." Rosaleen Sketchley

"...I had this fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable tour of Kim's stables bought for me as a present from my wife. The morning started with a guided tour of the stables by Kim and his assistant trainer Matt, followed by a walk up to the (very steep) gallops to watch his second lot work. We were talked through the potential and future hopes for each horse before retiring for a lovely cooked fry up by Kim's wife, Clare. Over breakfast we were able to pick Kim and Clare's brains about the workings of a successful stable. A wonderful few hours and a must for any serious racing fan..." Steffan Hutchings

"...just a quick line to say how much I enjoyed my morning on the gallops which exceeded my expectations. I got a real insight into the workings of a racing stable through the the walk up to the top of the gallop (steep), the exercising of the horses, tour of the stables and viewing of the practice fences and hurdles. Add a really good breakfast, including a glass of champagne, all in the company of Kim..." Derek Walsh

"...we had a wonderful morning with Kim and his team. They were warm and friendly and we really got to know all about how the yard works. Kim is so very approachable and willing to answer any question..." Helen Fink

"...my stable visit was excellent and very informative, Kim was an excellent host as were his wife and staff. I was very impressed with how attentive and friendly Kim was, and how he made me feel at ease. He talked me through all the horses he has stabled in the yard one-by-one then took me up to the gallops for first and second lot. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is interested in horse racing, I had a thoroughly enjoyable morning..." Ian Hazell

Tour Itinerary

Saturdays (October to April inc)

Start time: 8am (three-hour tour)

The fun starts the moment you arrive at Thorndale Farm, where the day commences with a trip to the gallops to watch the string being put through their paces at first hand.

Next it's back to the yard for a winning breakfast (guaranteed to set you up for the day).

You'll then enjoy an informative tour of the stable to gain an insiders' view to some of the equine stars 'looking over the doors' and you'll get a chance to ask Kim about the workings of a racing yard and hear tales 'from the horse's mouth' from his colourful careers in the Sport of Kings.

• You will also receive a gift badge as a lasting memento of your visit.
• For comfort and safety each tour is limited to groups of eight.
• Under 16s must be accompanied by a participating adult.
• Finally, remember to pack your wellington boots and some warm clothing.