Behind the Scenes at an Open House

Into Mischief was one of the stallions on display during Spendthrift Farm's open house during Keeneland's January sale. (Photos by Melissa Bauer-Herzog)
While January is a slow month for those who like on-track action, the month is full of tasks for those raising the next generation of racing superstars.
Breeders and other racing connections converge on Lexington, Ky. in early January to attend the Keeneland January sale, an auction that sees every type of horse from newly-turned yearlings to broodmares go through the ring. Sale week also provides another perk for breeders as many stallion farms in the region open up their doors for open houses, giving those in Lexington a chance to see their stallions.
Open houses allow breeders a chance to look at many different stallions around the region, including super-sires like Giant’s Causeway, as they seal up their breeding plans for 2015.
LEADING SIRE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY AT ASHFORD STUD

While retired from the breeding shed, even A.P. Indy received his share of attention during the week. The 26-year-old stallion has been pensioned at Lane’s End Farm since 2011 but his impact on the sport is still felt today, as he is the grandsire of last year’s top sire Tapit.
A.P. INDY AND LONG-TIME GROOM ASA HALEY

Those who visited Lane’s End at the end of the farm’s open house were also able to watch A.P. Indy get turned out. It’s safe to say that even though he’s retired, he hasn’t lost his spunk.
A.P. INDY GETTING TURNED OUT

While A.P. Indy has been retired for a few years now, more than 15 stallions are making their debuts in Lexington-area breeding sheds in 2015. The open houses let breeders take a look at these new guys, even if they aren’t thinking of sending a mare to them in their first season at stud.
Spendthrift Farm is one of the farms adding new stallions to its ranks in 2015 with four recently retired horses occupying stalls at the historic farm. The new stallions include two-time Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Goldencents, last year’s Woodward Stakes victor Itsmyluckyday and Grade 1 winner Shakin It Up, who is a grandson of champion Silverbulletday. 
GOLDENCENTS

 
ITSMYLUCKYDAY

 
SHAKIN IT UP

Also adding multiple new stallions to their roster is Ashford Stud, the Kentucky branch of Coolmore. The line-up includes another Breeders’ Cup winner in Breeders’ Cup Turf victor Magician. One of the 2013 Kentucky Derby favorites, Verrazano will also be standing his first season at stud at the farm after racing in Europe last year.
MAGICIAN
 

VERRAZANO

Ashford is also the new home of 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic third-place finisher Declaration of War, who raced almost exclusively in Europe. The son of War Front stood his first season at Coolmore Ireland in 2014 before relocating to America for this season.
DECLARATION OF WAR 

For photos from other stallions visited during the January open houses, check out the slideshow below.