THE BREEDING SHED, 30min., USA, Documentary
Directed by Celina Torrealba
The traditionally male-dominated world of thoroughbred racing is changing . . . rapidly and dramatically. It is a change of culture which is redefining the thoroughbred culture and community. A new breed of professional women is shattering century old barriers on the farms which develop and nurture the equine athletes known as thoroughbred racehorses. These educated women arrive from rural small towns and Ivy League universities. They’re assuming leadership roles at every level of the horse farms. They are bound together by a single career thread, their passion for the horses!
[email protected]

The Breeding Shed explores the environment and culture of thoroughbred breeding and nurturing at Kentucky’s famous Three Chimneys Farm. The film traces the process of producing and developing the world’s top equine athletes. The film has unprecedented access to the entire process from the mating, through gestation, foaling, and development of the young equine athlete. The final stage of thoroughbred development occurs during September each year, when most thoroughbred yearlings are sold at the Keeneland auction.

The film follows the dedicated effort of three women as they face and address challenges within their professional life. The film also provides a rare glimpse into the impact of the thoroughbred environment on each of their personal lives. Unrestricted access at Three Chimneys Farm affords the filmmaker a unique opportunity to follow three women in leadership positions, each in a different stage of their career, at a leading thoroughbred farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

Sandy Hatfield is the Stallion Manager. With more than three decades experience in the profession, and 23 breeding seasons at Three Chimneys Farm, she is considered a female pioneer in the stallion shed. Kirsten Near is the Resident Veterinarian at Three Chimneys Farm. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she spent five years working tirelessly to reach the senior veterinarian position at a major thoroughbred farm. Katie Ott is the Assistant Manager at Three Chimney’s Farm. Following a lifelong passion for horses, she has been dedicated to the thoroughbred profession since 2017.

Director Biography - Celina Torrealba

The path I’ve followed to becoming a filmmaker has been as surprising as it has been scripted. I set out to contribute and yet I’ve been the recipient far more than I ever imagined. While I still consider myself a novice, I’m a producer of films such as The Lighthouse, Wasp Network, and Port Authority. By geography and legacy, I’m a Carioca; it’s what Brazilians call someone from Rio de Janeiro. For decades I’ve had the privilege of traveling and living around the world. I’ve immersed myself in the cultures I’ve encountered. I hold several advanced degrees from universities on three different continents and speak several languages. As a woman in a male business culture, I led a major Latin American business.

Throughout my adult life, I’ve been led by an irresistible passion to better understand, influence, and encourage positive social change. I’ve served in a leadership role of successful Brazilian, Latin American, and global NGO’s. During the past decade, I grew increasingly convinced of the power of documentary film as a tool of expression for issues of social change. I began my film studies with a degree from Fundação Getulio Vargas-FGV/RJ in Brazil. That was followed by my experience at “Licence de Cinéma” Université Sorbonne in Paris. Currently, I’m completing a Master’s Degree in Documentary Film from New York University. I expect that I will always be a film “student” because I can always learn from my colleagues. As a filmmaker, I consider “The Breeding Shed” as my debut film.

Director Statement

The path I’ve followed to becoming a filmmaker has been as surprising as it has been scripted. I set out to contribute and yet I’ve been the recipient far more than I ever imagined. While I still consider myself a novice, I’m a producer of films such as The Lighthouse, Wasp Network, and Port Authority. By geography and legacy, I’m a Carioca; it’s what Brazilians call someone from Rio de Janeiro. For decades I’ve had the privilege of traveling and living around the world. I’ve immersed myself in the cultures I’ve encountered. I hold several advanced degrees from universities on three different continents and speak several languages. As a woman in a male business culture, I led a major Latin American business.

Throughout my adult life, I’ve been led by an irresistible passion to better understand, influence, and encourage positive social change. I’ve served in a leadership role of successful Brazilian, Latin American, and global NGO’s. During the past decade, I grew increasingly convinced of the power of documentary film as a tool of expression for issues of social change. I began my film studies with a degree from Fundação Getulio Vargas-FGV/RJ in Brazil. That was followed by my experience at “Licence de Cinéma” Université Sorbonne in Paris. Currently, I’m completing a Master’s Degree in Documentary Film from New York University. I expect that I will always be a film “student” because I can always learn from my colleagues. As a filmmaker, I consider “The Breeding Shed” as my debut film.