Just across the road from the main Margaux Farm, a historic barn is getting a new chapter.
Known as The Annex, the property became part of Margaux Farm approximately five years ago and today serves as an important part of our growing broodmare division. While the property may be a relatively recent addition to Margaux, the barn itself has been part of the Kentucky landscape for generations.
Built more than a century ago, the barn was originally constructed as a dairy barn before eventually being converted for horses. Over the years, it served as a foaling barn for both Audubon and Serendipity, continuing a long history of caring for mares and foals.
As Margaux's broodmare division has grown, so has the role of The Annex. This summer, we're giving the historic barn a significant upgrade designed to improve its functionality, comfort, and efficiency while preserving the character that has made it part of the property for so many years.
Bringing New Life to a Historic Barn
One of the biggest priorities of the renovation has been creating a brighter, more open environment with improved airflow.
The barn has been completely refaced, and the former hay loft was removed to open up the interior and allow for better ventilation throughout the building. The original small windows, measuring roughly one foot by one foot, have been replaced with much larger four-foot-by-four-foot windows, bringing significantly more natural light and fresh air into the barn.
Both end doors have also been replaced, and new LED lighting has been installed throughout.
Inside, the renovation includes all-new stalls and stall fronts, along with a new tack room. An additional building is also being constructed behind the barn to house a dedicated wash stall, feed room, and hay storage area.
Each improvement is intended to make the day-to-day operation of The Annex more efficient while creating a comfortable, practical environment for the mares and foals who call it home.
Growing Alongside Our Broodmare Division
The renovation reflects the continued growth of Margaux's broodmare program and our commitment to investing in the facilities that support it.
The Annex gives our broodmare division its own dedicated space while remaining conveniently located directly across the road from the main farm. With the renovation, we're able to take a barn that has been serving horses for generations and adapt it to meet the needs of our program today.
Construction is still underway, with the finishing touches expected to be completed before the end of summer.
For a barn with more than 100 years of history behind it, we're excited about what's ahead. The Annex has served many purposes throughout its lifetime, and we're proud to continue its tradition as a place dedicated to the care of mares and the next generation of Thoroughbreds.
