Big Brown Bows Out

Horse racing saw a devastating loss today as Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown has been retired to stud after injuring himself in a workout. The work came in company against last years Breeders Cup Mile winner, Kip Deville. The injury was to the right front hoof, where he grabbed a quarter. I’m not quite sure what that means, but from what I read a large portion of the hoof was lost.

This news comes at a time when racing desperately needed the showdown between Big Brown and Curlin. The way things are going the race will now probably be a cakewalk for Curlin, the reigning Horse of the Year. While I am far from a training expert, and if I am wrong please correct me, but was it really wise to continually work Big Brown in company? The final time was 1:12 4/5 for six on the turf. Maybe they should’ve taken a page out of Curlin’s book and worked a bit slower.

This of course brings us to the sobering realization that we will never see these two heavyweights, Big Brown and Curlin, on the same track. I think I am probably one of the most disappointed fans out there. I was the first person on the internet to speculate a Big Brown vs. Curlin match up, doing so the day after Big Brown’s win in the Florida Derby.  I don’t know when two truly great horses will rise again at the same time as these two have, but one thing is for sure. It will happen. Perhaps one day we will watch the progeny of these two great horses square off in the Breeders Cup Classic. 

Click here for more information on Big Brown’s injury and subsequent retirement.