In the early part of this century, stud fees for incoming Kentucky stallions were soaring. Horse of the Year Ghostzapper (Adena Springs) entered stud for $200,000 in 2006 – a debut fee it would take a decade, and a Triple Crown winner, to match – while champions Smarty Jones (Three Chimneys) and Bernardini (Darley) cashed in on their racetrack accomplishments to the tune of $100,000.

Kentucky traditionally sees the most stallions enter its ranks each breeding season, but the migration of prospects from the racetrack to regional farms can fluctuate depending on the health of each state’s program.

The Thoroughbred industry is a landscape of dynasties and history. That is evident in this year’s Kentucky class of sires, with major farms tapping into lines that have worked for them in the past by standing young stallions aside their sires or close relations, or securing sons from rising sirelines.

A stallion open house at Spendthrift Farm is often a laid-back affair. Expensive decisions are made by breeders as they inspect the horses and plan their matings, of course, but the business is broken up by laughs, handshakes, and catered sandwiches. The stakes are relatively low for the stallions themselves in the moment as they stand, walk, and go back to their stalls.

For Lord Nelson, just getting to that point was a triumph.

After Gun Runner gamely turned back Collected to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar, co-owners Three Chimneys Farm and Winchell Thoroughbreds were reminded that they had yet to announce the horse’s plans for 2018.

“We meant after the party,” Three Chimneys’ Goncalo Torrealba promptly responded to the crew gathered for the post-race press conference.

“Great answer,” trainer Steve Asmussen said with a laugh.

But now, the party is almost over.

It’s about a 10-minute drive from Taylor Made Farm, where Unbridled’s Song once reigned supreme, to Juddmonte Farm, where Arrogate now occupies a spacious, deeply bedded stall in the stallion barn.

Grade 1 winner Constellation has been retired from racing and will visit Hall of Famer Curlin for her first mating during the 2018 breeding season.

The 4-year-old Bellamy Road filly finished her ontrack career with five wins in 14 starts and earnings of $619,809. She raced for the Roth family’s LNJ Foxwoods and spent time with trainers Steve Asmussen, Jerry Hollendorfer, and Bob Baffert.

Tonalist, the winner of the 2014 Belmont Stakes, will stand for an advertised fee of $20,000 at Lane’s End in Versailles, Ky., during the 2018 breeding season.

The 6-year-old Tapit horse was initially advertised for $30,000 by Lane’s End when the farm announced its 2018 fees in October. He stood his debut season in 2016 for $40,000, then was advertised at $30,000 in 2017.

Grade 2 winner Wildcat Red will enter stud at Buck Pond Farm in Versailles, Ky., for the 2018 breeding season at an advertised fee of $7,500.

The 6-year-old D’wildcat horse retired with six wins in 22 career starts for earnings of $1,108,975.

Grade 3 winner Eagle has been retired and will stand the 2018 breeding season at Valor Farm in Pilot Point, Texas, for an advertised fee of $5,000.

A 5-year-old Candy Ride horse, Eagle retires with seven wins in 24 starts and earnings of $754,186. His resume is highlighted by a victory in the Grade 3 Ben Ali Stakes, as well as scores in the non-graded Michael G. Schaefer Memorial Stakes and Tenacious Stakes.

He finished in the money in seven additional graded stakes races, including a runner-up effort in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap.