$671,643Average Value$320Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Say hello to Lexington’s horse country
Outside the Kentucky Horse Park's visitor center, a life-size horse statue is painted blue and inscribed: "Horses Provide 60,494 Jobs in Kentucky." It's safe to say that horses employ the 1,500 residents of Donerail, a rural region of independent horse farms anchored by the Kentucky Horse Park, an equine center and tourist attraction. “Lexington is the Thoroughbred breeding capital of the world, and the Thoroughbred industry’s getting bigger and bigger,” says Lexington resident Judy Stuber. Donerail sits beyond Lexington's Urban Services Boundary, meaning the city has designated that this land cannot be developed and must remain rural or agricultural. Due to this designation, Donerail's real estate listings are all large horse farms on dozens of acres selling for millions of dollars. The horse country surrounding the city is invaluable and anchors the city's economy and gives it a distinct culture and a sense of serenity. "Lexington's one of the most beautiful places to fly into because of the aerial views of the horse farms," says Realtor Bob Sophiea.
Kentucky Horse Park and Alltech Arena
Donerail's top attraction is the Kentucky Horse Park, a 1,000-plus-acre equine education center. Visitors can take a trolley tour of the park, go for a trail ride on horseback or explore the International Museum of the Horse, an extensive collection of history about the roles horses played across the world and their impact in the development of human civilization. The park is also home to the Hall of Champions, where retired world-champion racehorses, including two current Triple Crown winners, live. Visitors can attend the park's daily Hall of Champions Show to learn more about each horse's success. The Kentucky Horse Park is also home to the Alltech Arena, which hosts events of all kinds, like concerts, craft markets, dog shows, and monster truck rallies.
Park of the Kentucky Horse Park in Donerail, is the American Saddlebred Muesum.
Horse lovers from all over the country visit the Kentucky Horse Park every year in Donerail.
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Protected farmland thanks to the Urban Service Boundary
In 1958, Lexington became the first U.S. city to create an Urban Services Boundary (USB), a designated line that dictates where new development can occur. Donerail sits just beyond this boundary, meaning its protected farmland. "All kinds of politics come up about developing land," Sophiea says. Because of the USB, "They can't subdivide the land, and there are no places to develop." In 2023, Lexington's city council voted to add 2,800 acres to the USB in various spots throughout Fayette County, however, Donerail was not affected by this expansion. "They're trying to increase the Urban Service Boundary, but the horse farms are like, 'These are our farms,'" Stuber says. "When the horse industry knows about something, they will fight it because this is their livelihood, and they need space." Due to the USB, Donerail is mostly large, rural plots – often ranging from 10 to 60 acres that list for $2.5 to $16.5 million. These estates are typically working horse farms, with sprawling single-family homes and equine facilities, including feed and tack rooms and barns with 20 to 30 stalls. A few smaller cottage and rambler-style homes can be found in the outer reaches of this community, with price points ranging from the mid $200,000s to $400,000s.
The Spindletop Subdivision is part of the Donerail community and features ranch style homes.
Just minutes away from Lexington is a small subdivision with affordable homes in Donerail.
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Spanish immersion and Air Force JROTC at Bryan Station High School
Students in Donerail attend Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS), a district that receives an A-minus rating from Niche. Students here can start at Russell Cave Elementary School, which receives a C-plus rating, before continuing on to Winburn Middle School, which earns a B-minus. They may then attend the B-rated Bryan Station High School. Bryan Station is home to FCPS's only Air Force JROTC program and is the high school campus for the district's Spanish Immersion Program. In 2007, the Embassy of Spain and the Spanish Ministry of Education recognized Bryan Station as an International Spanish Academy (ISA). In 2012, it won the "School of the Year" award from the ISA Network. All Bryan Station students start out in the school's freshman academy before choosing one of four academies to attend for 10th through 12th grades. Options include The Academy of Engineering, Manufacturing, and Robotics; The Academy of Leadership and Professional Services; The Academy of Information Technology; and The Academy of Medical Sciences.
Winburn Middle School pursues academic excellence & a multicultural experience.
Bryan Station High School has a 17-1 student teacher ratio & is an above average school.
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Car dependency and Lextran bus access
Donerail is a car-dependent neighborhood 8 miles north of downtown Lexington. The neighborhood's only bus stop can be found on the northeast corner of Newton Pike and Interstate 64 outside of the Shell station. The Route 4 bus heads into downtown Lexington and stops at destinations including the BCTC Newton campus, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department and the Hope Center for Men. The closest hospitals to Donerail are the Lexington VA Medical Center, 7 miles south and the UK Good Samaritan Hospital, 9 miles south. The Blue Grass Airport is 12 miles southwest via Interstate 75 to New Circle Road.
Trails, golf and The Club at UK's Spindletop Hall
Across Iron Works Pike from the Kentucky Horse Park, the North Legacy Trailhead provides access to the Legacy Trail, an 8-mile paved path for walking, jogging and biking. Nearby, The Club at UK's Spindletop Hall offers members access to recreational amenities like swimming pools and tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts. Golf is a popular activity in the area, and residents can choose to join the Lexington Country Club or check out a public course like the Griffin Gate Golf Club or Kearney Hill Golf Links. Just south of Interstate 64, Coldstream Dog Park is a 225-acre green space with walking and biking trails and a fenced-in area for dogs to play.
Donerail dogowners enjoy a local amenity at Coldstream Dog Park.
The Club at UK's Spindletop Hall has a lot to offer members of the Donerail Community.
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Farm-to-table restaurants and award-winning barbecue
Just across Interstate 75 from the Kentucky Horse Park, Red State BBQ is an award-winning barbecue joint serving satisfying slabs of tender meats perfect for filling up after a long day at the horse park. The restaurant has a wide selection of specialty sauces and sides like beer cheese grits, corn muffins and peach bread pudding. Two miles north, The Barn Door Grill & Bar is located on the grounds of the Blue Grass Stockyards and offers a Kentuckian menu of Appalachian- and southern-influenced cuisines. All foods are made with cage-free eggs and local meat, bread and vegetables; their most popular menu items are their burgers and Kentucky hot browns. The intersection of Newtown Pike and Interstate 64 offers additional dining options, including a Cracker Barrel and McDonald's. Donerail's only grocery store is the Jot ‘Em Down Store, a small, family-owned country store with shelf groceries and sandwiches made in their deli. Just south of Interstate 64, Winburn Fruit Supermarket offers a complete selection of produce, meat and shelf groceries.
Residents of Donerail and neighboring communities travel for some good BBQ at Red State BBQ.
Donerail touches the north side of Lexington, where residents will find a Cracker Barrel.
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Crime
Donerail has a 1 out of 10 CAP Index crime score, the safest rating possible, which is well below the national average of 4.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Erica Sardar,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Coldstream Dog Park
Mary Todd Park
Masterson Station Park
Dog Park
Trails
Playground
Green Acres Park
Coldstream Park
Coventry Playground
Highlands Park
Legacy Trail
Scott County Farmers Market Pavilion
Transit
Airport
Blue Grass
25 min drive
Bus
Hackney & Stanton
Bus
Stanton Way & Shell Service Station
Donerail Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Donerail, Lexington sell after 65 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Donerail, Lexington over the last 12 months is $595,000, down 52% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to Black Diamond Farm! This 62± acre estate is certainly one-of-a-kind. With an 18 stall barn and ample pasture space this property is suitable for any equestrian enthusiast. The 17,000sqft main residence is brimming with elegance with stunning finishes and details throughout every corner of the home. Featuring parquet wood floors, ornate wood paneled walls, intricate moulding and
One of only two farms located within the Kentucky Horse Park, 4175 Cigar Lane is the rarest of rare offerings. With 54.25 acres of ''100% prime farmland or farmland of statewide importance,'' the fine soils here have nurtured horses for generations. An elite location tucked aside the KHP, the farm also boasts fine modern amenities for competing horses. Equestrians can easily hack to the show
Exquisite Lakefront Living Just Minutes from Downtown Lexington!Tucked away in an exclusive private hamlet of just seven homes, this gorgeous Hidden River Farms estate offers the perfect balance of luxury, privacy, and convenience—only 10 miles from downtown Lexington. Set on over 10 picturesque acres with direct lake access, this home exudes cool, modern elegance at every turn.Boasting
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Erica Sardar,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,379
Median Age
40
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
23.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$85,000
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$114,430
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.2%
College Graduates
41.3%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15.6%
% Population in Labor Force
70%
On par with the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
26''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
23/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
