The ancient Romans invented the triumvirate, a partnership of three of the most powerful men in the Republic. The concept of tripartite leadership hasn’t declined in the two thousand years since, resurging in modern Kentucky. Located near Paris, Siena Farm comes from the powerful trio of Chairman Anthony Manganaro, general manager Ignacio “Nacho” Patino, and president David Pope. The three co-owners have led their operation to the top of the horse world.

Manganaro purchased the property in 2007, at which time he had the idea of “creating a farm from scratch,” Pope said. The three experienced professionals built up an operation that operated just the way they wanted it to work; Pope was particularly excited about the opportunity of having equity in the farm where he worked. Of Manganaro, Pope noted, “We’re working for ourselves in addition to working for our families and working for him.” He added, “He’s always looking for a better way to do things, thinking outside the box.”

This year alone, Siena-bred runners have included grade II-placed Island Saint and Angela Renee (Bernardini – Pilfer, by Deputy Minister). Siena Farm first purchased Pilfer for $650,000, in foal to Hard Spun, at the 2008 Keeneland November sale. The weanling at her side was future grade I winner To Honor and Serve, also by Bernardini. When the colt hit the track, his success made the Siena team decide to breed Pilfer back to Bernardini. Pope laughed, “It was the easiest mating we’ve ever done.”

They decided to keep the resulting foal, Angela Renee, who became the farm’s first homebred grade I winner. Now four years old, Angela Renee took the Chandelier Stakes (gr. I) at two. Although they kept and raced her for the first two years of her career, the Siena team sold Angela Renee for $3 million last year, which Pope noted was a tough business decision; but, for her new owners, Angela Renee won her first start out this year. The Siena team also sold Pilfer for $1.95 million in 2012.

And then there’s Ocho Ocho Ocho (Street Sense – Winner, by Horse Chestnut), a four-year-old colt that Siena sold as a yearling. Ocho Ocho Ocho won the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III), then ran in last year’s Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and most recently was unplaced in a minor stake at Santa Anita. Winner, a female-line granddaughter of the great Personal Ensign, has proven to be a star broodmare for the Siena operation. Two of Winner’s foals by Lemon Drop Kid each sold for six figures. Siena also sold Winner for $700,000, in foal to none other than Bernardini, at Keeneland November in 2014.

The broodmare band still counts among its numbers two daughters of the aforementioned Winner: graded stakes-placed Private Ensign, by A.P. Indy, and Ida Mae, a full sister to Ocho Ocho Ocho. Private Ensign had her first foal this year—a beautiful Will Take Charge filly, whose name Facebook fans can currently decide on the Siena Farm page—and is back in foal to Curlin.

The farm currently houses 57 horses including 24 broodmares, all of which it owns. The bloodlines you’ll find represented in the Siena Farm broodmare band include champions galore, grade I winners, classic victors, and Broodmares of the Year. The Siena way is to acquire fillies from deep female families; Pope observed, “Well, it’s a team approach. We look at the pedigrees. We want to be selling in Book 1 of Keeneland, so we know the pedigree page is very important, so we try to look for a lot of black type.” In particular, “every horse we breed, we’re trying to breed stakes winners, but realistically that’s never going to ever happen.”

But the team’s success rate is striking. For example, the trio claimed Isobel Baillie, whose third dam was champion and excellent broodmare Glorious Song, off the track. From her, Siena bred Alaura Michele, the first horse born on the farm and Siena’s first homebred stakes winner. Now a broodmare, Alaura Michele foaled a Declaration of War filly this year and was bred back to Curlin.

Another Siena fan favorite, whose name was chosen by the farm’s many Facebook fans, is three-year-old Riddler. A promising turf runner, the colt has charmed the digital crowd with his distinctive markings. “These creatures are majestic. People fall in love with them. We want to share them,” said Pope. “We want people to see how well horses are treated. It’s a great industry and we’ve got a lot of great owners out there.”