History Happy Hour: Nashville's Racing Legacy

Come celebrate Kentucky Derby weekend with us and step back into the golden age of Southern horse racing as Belle Meade opens its gates after hours for an evening exploring Nashville's deep ties to the sport of kings.

Begin your evening with wine or a classic mint julep provided by Bonnie's Bourbon Bar before setting out on a guided journey across the historic grounds. In small groups, guests will rotate through a series of interpretive stations that trace the rise of horse racing in Tennessee—from its frontier beginnings to the height of Belle Meade's influence on the American turf.

Along the way, interpreters will share stories of the racetracks that once defined Nashville, the famous horses, trainers, and jockeys who built the region's reputation, and the powerful family whose breeding programs helped shape the sport nationwide. The evening concludes in the wine garden with a final cocktail and time to relax among the grounds where Tennessee's racing legacy once thrived.