BY SARAH WELK BAYNUM

Karen Grimes is the owner and founder of Farm Tours of Ocala, which provides people with an up-close and intimate experience of numerous farms around the Horse Capital of the World™.

It was a college job that first introduced her to the world of horse racing in her home state—an experience that eventually led her to Ocala.

“I grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, just outside New York City, and as a kid, I was always riding—taking lessons whenever I could,” Grimes said. “When I was in college in the city, I needed a part-time job, and someone told me you could get paid to work with horses at the track. I thought that was the greatest thing in the world. So, I got a job at the Meadowlands as a hot walker, then became a groom, and eventually started galloping.”

One memorable and amusing story from her time working at the track is one she still fondly recalls.

“One day at the track, I was told a load of 2-year-olds was coming in, and I needed to wait around for them,” Grimes said. “When the trailer arrived, I was told there’d be a pony horse onboard with the youngsters. Most of the horses looked sleek and nice, but there was one that was all fuzzy and looked like a prehistoric animal—I just assumed that was the pony horse. So, I snapped a lead rope on her halter, jumped on bareback, and rode her to the barn, and she just calmly walked along, so I thought nothing of it. I told the foreman, ‘I rode the pony!’ and he said, ‘That was not the pony—don’t tell the trainer!’ because she was a very expensive horse. The filly even went on to be a stakes horse!”

For nearly four years, Grimes worked on the racing circuit along the East Coast, but over time, the constant travel began to take its toll on her.

“I decided to go back to school in New Jersey—but I didn’t go alone. I brought a beautiful Thoroughbred with me, a horse who couldn’t run his way out of a paper bag, but I could tell he’d make a great show horse. I retrained him and we ultimately won show hunter championships, including the Northeast Regional Championship. Back then, Thoroughbreds were still the main breed in the show ring. Warmbloods weren’t dominant yet—there were actually separate non-Thoroughbred classes at shows. Then, I reconnected with someone I’d met at the track a few years earlier, who was in Ocala. I landed a veterinary technician job at Peterson & Smith. That’s what finally brought me to Florida.”

Unfortunately, by the time Grimes arrived in Florida, the position had fallen through due to unforeseen circumstances on the veterinarian’s part. However, rather than returning home, she found a new way to stay connected to the Florida Thoroughbred industry.

“My partner at the time and I started pinhooking Thoroughbreds for clients on a small scale, and it just grew from there. We were buying yearlings and selling them as 2-year-olds, but I got incredibly attached to the horses. Watching them go through the sales ring just broke my heart, so I knew I couldn’t keep doing that. I did end up working as a veterinary technician for a few years at another practice, but eventually, like many people who aren’t sure what to do next, I obtained my real estate license in 1999. That went well until the market crashed in 2007,” Grimes said.

Despite the setback, Grimes found a new and more fulfilling path—one that not only matched her passion for horses but also met a unique need in the local community.

“I was working nights at the Hilton Hotel and guests kept asking me how they could see horse farms. I thought, ‘Why not do tours like they do in Kentucky?’ I had a rare real estate closing, took all the money I had in the world, bought a little van, and put myself on TripAdvisor with this idea for a farm tour business in Ocala. And you know what? It turned into something really special,” Grimes said. “I’ve been so lucky—the Thoroughbred community has been incredibly supportive. They believed in what I was doing, and they were happy to open their gates and share this amazing industry with the public in a positive way. That’s what I love most—getting to tell the story of Thoroughbreds to people who might never otherwise see it.”

Thanks to her longstanding connections in the Thoroughbred industry, the farms Grimes tours trust her implicitly. Her tours even include visits to several training centers, where farm owners appreciate that Grimes prioritizes the safety and well-being of both the horses and the visitors.

“The media tends to paint such a negative picture of the Thoroughbred industry. But I’m here to change that perception,” Grimes said. “Most people don’t realize that The Jockey Club is the only breed registry that invests millions into aftercare programs. I make it a point to share that and change that perception in the industry every chance I get—Thoroughbred people truly love their horses.”

“People often don’t hear about these same challenges in the sport horse world—the injuries, the horses that stop showing, and what happens to them afterward. It’s not just Thoroughbreds that face tough transitions. That’s why on my tours, we meet some retired champions, like Presious Passion, [a multiple Grade 1-winner and two-time Florida Champion Turf Horse in 2008 and 2009 who earned nearly $2.7 million.]

“He’s a real rock star and one of the highlights of the tour. We always end there, showing guests his races—especially his win at the United States Nations Stakes (G1)—and watching everyone get excited is one of the best parts of the day.”

 

Grimes not only helps people gain a deeper understanding of the Thoroughbred industry but also serves as a vital link for those looking to get involved with horses.

“My tours are more about the experience than just sightseeing—I like to create a real connection and hands-on experience. People often say I’m like an encyclopedia of Ocala and horses, and I love helping folks who want to start riding or get involved with Thoroughbreds by connecting them with the right people. There’s a big gap between those who don’t understand the horse world and those who want in but don’t know how. I’m proud to be that bridge, especially for people returning to horses later in life or looking to explore the equestrian culture.”

Above all, Grimes is deeply passionate about the sport and the horses that make it truly special.

“I appreciate how much the racing industry supports horses through aftercare—that’s so important. And beyond that, horse racing is just a fun sport to watch and follow. I’ve been lucky to see horses from when they were foals, like Arthur’s Ride—I probably saw him the day after he was born, even though we didn’t know then what he would go on to do. I love following their journeys, hearing their stories, and seeing them be successful after they retire from the track.”

 

Learn about Farm Tours of Ocala here.

Return to the June 3 issue of Wire to Wire