Big Brown (Boundary), impressive winner of the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness Stakes, has arrived at Old Friends in Kentucky where he will live out his days.
Bred in Kentucky by Monticule LLC, Big Brown was a $60,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling and was purchased by the late Paul Pompa, Jr. for $190,000 at the Keeneland April Sale in 2007. Winner of a two-turn turf maiden by better than 11 lengths for trainer Patrick Reynolds, Big Brown made his next start for Rick Dutrow, Jr. after IEAH Stable joined the ownership group.
Named a 'TDN Rising Star' after winning a mile allowance on the dirt by nearly 13 lengths, he added a five-length victory in the GI Florida Derby and gave Kent Desormeaux the third of his three Kentucky Derby victories in 2008. An easy winner at Old Hilltop, he was plagued by a quarter crack in the days leading up to the GI Belmont Stakes and remained in contention to the top of the stretch before being eased home. He took out the GI Haskell Stakes and Listed Monmouth Stakes on the grass and was being pointed for a start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic before injury forced his retirement.
Big Brown entered stud at Three Chimneys and stood there from 2009-2014 while also shuttling to Australia. In 2015, Andrew Cohen's Sunrise Stables and Gary Tolchin's Golden Goose Enterprises, who were also part of the group that raced Big Brown, announced his relocation to Dutchess View Farms in New York. In 2018, Dutchess View teamed up with Irish Hill Century Farm for breeding and Big Brown was New York's leading sire of 2020.
Big Brown is the sire of 35 stakes winners, including fellow 'Rising Star' Dortmund, one of nine of his runners to score at the graded level. Others include the New York-bred standout Somelikeithotbrown and $1.3-million 2-year-old in training purchase Darwin. Big Brown was pensioned from stud duties earlier this year.
Big Brown is the fifth Derby and Preakness winner to be retired to Old Friends, joining Silver Charm, War Emblem, Charismatic and I'll Have Another.
“We are excited beyond measure to welcome Big Brown as an honored member of the Old Friends family,” said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. “We are deeply grateful to Andy Cohen and all of Big Brown's connections for choosing to share this great horse with racing fans everywhere. I know his legions of fans will love having the chance to visit him throughout the year. Big Brown will be an awesome ambassador, not only for Old Friends, but for the sport of Thoroughbred Racing.”
“It doesn't seem that long ago when we would visit Big Brown in the middle of the night and just hang out with him,” said Andy Cohen, Managing Partner of the Big Brown Syndicate. “He was like a puppy and especially loved it when the young children would come over to pet him.
“After visiting Old Friends and getting to know John Nicholson and Michael Blowen I couldn't be more comfortable knowing Big Brown will get the love and care he deserves at Old Friends where the horse is the boss.”
Old Friends will host a Big Brown Barn Bash on Friday, Oct. 18.
Thrilled beyond words to welcome 2008 @KentuckyDerby & @PreaknessStakes winner BIG BROWN to OF retirement! Thank you Big Brown Syndicate, @IrishHillFarm & Morrisseys Horse Transport. Come out & celebrate with us on Oct 18 for the Big Brown Barn Bash! https://t.co/1jvxczfs6N pic.twitter.com/wUtvDc2nPb
— Old Friends (@Oldfriendsfarm) September 30, 2024
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