The frost of early January often brings about a mood of reflection. Those moments are fleeting for around central Kentucky, however, as the busiest time of year for breeders and stud farms lies just ahead.

Prior to the newest members of another foal crop take their formative steps atop wintry patches of bluegrass, Keeneland January provides one further opportunity to acquire a key addition to the broodmare band. The catalog for the four-day sale beginning January 10th has been released, with supplemental entries to be added in the coming weeks.

The significance of the January Sale's timing is twofold, as it provides an encore to another breeding sale season of exceptionally strong trade, while likewise kicking off a new calendar year.

Without the presence of a dispersal on the level of Sam-Son Farm last January, standout mare prospects will be in especially sharp focus. Our aim will be assembling a short-list of prospects suitable for new and established owner/breeder programs alike.

Past January highlights include the aforementioned Sam-Son dispersal, topped by Danceforthecause's sale to Gainesway Farm for $925,000. In 2014, the $1.45 million sale of a Street Sense half-sister to Gr1 winners Certify and Cry and Catch Me for marked a lifetime best for Alfred Nuckols' Hurstland Farm.