The Classicist: Thoroughbreds, Bourbon and Private Planes from Flexjet

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed)
Mar 14th 2011 at 9:02AM

Private jet juggernaut Flexjet is offering an alluring incentive to new fractional owners via a promotion with Kentucky's Keeneland, one of the world's leading thoroughbred racing and auction facilities. The three-day Unbridled experience centers around the 2011 Breeders' Cup World Championships this fall. Known as the thoroughbred industry's most prestigious championship event, the Breeders' Cup attracts fierce competition for the richest prize-money event in the world with over $26 million in purses at stake. There's a lot more to the Unbridled experience, however, as you'd expect considering the cost for a 1/16th fraction (or 50 hours / year) on one of the company's Learjet 40XRs starts at $362,500.

Each owner and their guest will enjoy the Breeders' Cup races in the comfort of a finish-line owner's suite at the iconic Churchill Downs, one of the world's greatest racetracks and home of the Kentucky Derby, as well as an invitation to attend sun-up morning workouts. A one-on-one meeting with a renowned thoroughbred trainer and an insider's look at a famed horse farm are also in the offing. The Unbridled experience is available in limited quantities at no extra charge for Flexjet customers purchasing a new fractional share now through June 12, 2011; the all-inclusive experience takes place November 3 - 6.

Gallery: Flexjet Unbridled Experience

What would a classic Kentucky experience be without bourbon? Purchasers will also be treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the renowned Buffalo Trace Distillery, including the historic warehouses dating back to the early 1900s, while gaining insights into the bourbon making process from a distillery expert. The distillery's rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787. At the end of each day, guests will repair to luxurious suites at the acclaimed 21c Museum Hotel, a 90-room boutique hotel, contemporary art museum, award-winning restaurant and cultural civic center nestled in the heart of Museum Row in historic downtown Louisville.

In addition to high-end, in-suite gifts provided by Flexjet and Keeneland throughout the three-night stay, there will be nightly cocktail hours and dinners at award-winning restaurants, complete with special guests. In addition to fractional ownership Flexjet, a division of Bombardier, offers whole aircraft ownership and management, jet cards and charter brokerage services. The firm's fractional program fields an exclusive family of Bombardier business aircraft – the youngest in the fractional jet industry with an average age of 3.9 years – including the Learjet 40 XR, Learjet 45 XR, Learjet 60 XR, Challenger 300 and Challenger 605 business jets.

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