On a delightful autumn afternoon, Big Brown contently stood for photos and surveyed his new home while fulfilling the role of guest of honor during Three Chimneys Farm’s open house for breeders Nov. 5.

Big Brown, who arrived at the Midway, Ky., farm Nov. 1, will stand for $65,000. The 3-year-old Boundary colt, who counts the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes among his four grade I wins this year, took the crowd and the event in stride.

“He’s settled in beautifully, and he has been received really well,” said Robert Clay, owner of Three Chimneys. “He’s an easy horse to be around and likes the attention. He’s got a great mind. I have gotten a lot of positive comments, and he is his best salesman.”

The farm’s other stallions were also available for inspection, including Lewis Michael, who will also be standing his first season at stud in 2009. Lewis Michael’s full sister, champion Dreaming of Anna, was also retired this year and is boarded at Three Chimneys. Out of the Broad Brush mare Justenuffheart, they are both by Rahy, who stands at the farm. Lewis Michael’s fee is $12,500.

“It is fun having Lewis Michael here with Dreaming of Anna across the street,” said Clay.

Held during the third day of the Keeneland November mixed sale, an estimated 300-400 people stopped by to look at the stallions and to take part in the “Big Brown Bag Lunch” that was provided. Bloomingdale’s supplied its “re-usable brown bag” for the event.

“We figured if Big Brown is his best salesman, let’s catch people when they are in town,” said Clay. “We had an incredible turnout. There just weren’t quite enough Big Brown bags at the end of the day.”

(Originally published at BloodHorse.com