Into Mischief Among Leading Sires in Kentucky Derby History

Thanks to Sovereignty's triumph, the stallion standing at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky joined the likes of Virgil, Falsetto, Sir Gallahad III, and Bull Lea with three victories in the Run for the Roses

Into Mischief has captured six U.S. sire championships / SPENDTHRIFT FARM

Already widely regarded as one of the greatest sires in American racing history, Into Mischief added another historic milestone to his résumé last Saturday when Sovereignty gave him a third victory in the GI Kentucky Derby, joining a rarefied group of just five stallions to sire three winners of the Run for the Roses.

A six-time leading sire in North America and well on his way to a seventh title, Into Mischief had already sired Authentic (2020) and Mandaloun (2021). With Sovereignty’s triumph, he now shares Derby-producing honors with Virgil (Vagrant, 1876; Hindoo, 1881; Ben Ali, 1886), Falsetto (Chant, 1894; His Eminence, 1901; Sir Huon, 1906), Sir Gallahad III (Gallant Fox, 1930; Gallahadion, 1940; Hoop Jr., 1945), and Bull Lea (Citation, 1948; Hill Gail, 1952; Iron Liege, 1957). What sets Into Mischief apart is that he accomplished the feat in the shortest span of time.

Just turned 20, Into Mischief entered stud in 2009 and has since taken the industry by storm. In addition to Sovereignty, his 2025 crop includes Tappan Street, winner of the GI Florida Derby, the multiple graded-placed Barnes, and the reigning champion Citizen Bull.

The story of Into Mischief is as unconventional as it is remarkable. While his pedigree traces back to the mighty Storm Cat, it came through a less direct path—via Harlan, then his son Harlan’s Holiday, who not only stood in Kentucky but also shuttled to Argentina, serving seasons at Estación de Montas La Mission and Haras Firmamento, where he died.

Into Mischief was originally sold as a yearling for $80,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Sale, bought by Gage Hill Stables. The following March, he was purchased by B. Wayne Hughes for Spendthrift Farm for $180,000 at OBS, beginning a new chapter that would eventually reshape the breeding landscape.

His own racing career was brief but consistent. Trained by Richard Mandella, Into Mischief raced only six times at two and three, never finishing worse than second. After breaking his maiden at Santa Anita during the Oak Tree meet, he was runner-up in the GIII Hollywood Prevue S., and came back to win the GI CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park. At three, he returned to finish second to Georgie Boy in the San Vicente and added a win in the Damascus S.before concluding his career with a second in the GI Malibu S. behind Bob Black Jack. He retired with earnings of $597,080—an unremarkable sum in light of what he would later accomplish at stud.

Standing initially for $12,500, Into Mischief was launched under a stallion share program to attract early support. By 2012, when his first foals reached the track, his fee had dipped to $7,500. From that modest beginning, his rise was meteoric.

Today, he commands a stud fee of $250,000 at Spendthrift Farm and continues to dominate at the highest level. He was also represented in the 2024 Kentucky Derby by Mystik Dan, winner of the race and a son of his dual Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Goldencents, making Into Mischief the Derby-winning broodmare sire that year.

With three Derby winners to his name—and perhaps more to come—Into Mischief is within reach of a record that would set him apart as the most successful sire in Kentucky Derby history. One more, and the crown is his alone.