Our Story
Before it was Kingston Downs, this land held centuries of history, etched in riverbeds, old tree lines, and the footprints of those who came long before us. It has known change, rest, rebirth, and return. This is the story of how it came to be what it is today and the care guiding what comes next.
Before the tracks, before the trot…
Long before Kingston Downs became what it is today, these 5,000 acres were shaped by time, water, and human hands. In the 18th century, this land belonged to the Cherokee Nation; its woodlands, creeks, and meadows forming part of a vast and sacred territory.
By the 1830s, settlers had arrived, drawn by the Georgia Gold Rush and the promise of fertile ground. The town of Kingston was established in 1839, becoming a quiet but crucial waypoint. Then came the Civil War. Positioned along the Etowah River; a vital artery for transportation and power, this region saw the war up close. In 1864, during Sherman’s March to the Sea, Kingston’s mills, factories, and railroad depot were razed, changing the town's trajectory forever.
But the land remained, waiting quietly for its next chapter.
From royal dream to racing ground.
In the 1980s, Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud saw promise in a patchwork of old farms and began stitching them into something grand. His ambition grew to over 8,000 acres, a private kingdom shaped by vision and vastness. But as with many great ideas, this one was fleeting. In 1991, the prince declared bankruptcy. The land, once dreamed into a private paradise, returned to the market.
And that’s when it found its next stewards.
To most, it was just acreage. But to Carl Bouckaert and Mieke Hanssens, lifelong equestrians, it was the perfect ground on which legacy could take root. In 1992, they claimed the heart of the estate and named it Kingston Downs, in homage to the legendary Churchill Downs.
From 1997 to 2017, the property pulsed with life as the home of the Atlanta Steeplechase, a gathering of spectacle, sport, and Southern charm. Tens of thousands came each year to see the race, toast the winners, and celebrate in grand fashion. Foxhounds roamed. Silk-clad jockeys raced. The land, once quiet, learned to sing again.
This chapter of care.
Kingston Downs is more than a place, it’s a living landscape, rich with wildflowers, birdsong, and the quiet work of nature. Of our 5,000 acres, 4,500 are protected, set aside for the deer, bees, rivers, and forests that call it home.
Through a multi-year bioacoustic program, we’re capturing the sounds of this place to better understand its rhythms and strengthen the bond between people and the wild things around them.
Our philosophy is simple: live gently, and leave it better. You’ll notice it in the details…organic linens, biodegradable soaps, fragrance-free laundering, and antique furnishings that carry their own stories.
We extend this care to the wider community, partnering with local nonprofits by offering access, hosting events, and supporting causes aligned with our mission.
This place means a great deal to us. We hope, during your time here, it will mean something to you too.