Big Brown retired
October 15th 2008 08:15
The almost simultaneous retirements of Zarkava in France, and Big Brown in the US, allowed us to ponder the prestige and legacy that each champion thoroughbred will leave in their wake.
(photo: AP)
Unlike Zarkava, who retired in a blaze of glory and critical superlatives, Big Brown retired as result of an injury sustained during trackwork - and with a reputation tarnished by the most dismal effort ever of a horse attempting to win the third leg of the Triple Crown (the Belmont Stakes) when a dismal and deflating last. And this effort from a horse that appeared invincible as he raced wide and seemingly in a race of his own as he circled and defeated the best US thoroughbreds of his age in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. And there was the stigma of steroid use that hangs over (most of) his best performances.
The two wins produced by Big Brown after the Belmont Stakes were significant for the grittiness and courage that he showed. He battled hard and resolutely to run down longshot Coal Play in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. It was a win - but significantly a win so unlike any of those that came before.
Big Brown was always at the mercy of a hoof that was always brittle and chronic. That he should strike and gash a leg - and quarter a hoof - seems almost fitting as an exit.
It had been hoped that Big Brown could redeem his reputation when he met Curlin (and probably Duke Of Marmalade or Henrythenavigator) in the Breeders' Cup Classic. A victory over quality opposition was required to silence the critics and show that the earlier wins were as impressive as first thought. But now there will be no Zarkava style fairytale finish to this career.
The crop of US 3 year olds in 2007 was exceptional. The crop of 2008 may not be anywhere near as good.
Big Brown will now endeavour to remake a reputation with success as a stallion when he stands at stud at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky. Big Brown had one more race start than Zarkava - while both achieved seven wins.
Success in a post racetrack phase for Zarkava will be measured by small increments as she is first required to produce healthy foals - and then hopefully pass along her superb bloodlines.
Big Brown will spread his genes rapidly and have a far greater opportunity to produce quality horses as the weight of numbers (and quality of the mares he will serve) will allow him maximum opportunity for success.
But who would you place a bet on to produce a champion son or daughter? The odds are clearly favouring Big Brown - but might the champion filly also reign supreme in the breeding barn as she now does in the court of public opinion?
"Big Brown has been retired. He not only tore the bulb off his foot, but half the foot was torn off. We did everything we could to get to the Breeders' Cup. It's devastating. And what makes it even worse is that he worked great."
“It's not a devastating injury to a racehorse in the long term. It is for one that has a race in 12 days. It was a tremendous blow to the gut of all of us. . . . My heart goes out to all the fans who wanted to see a Big Brown-Curlin match-up in the Breeders' Cup Classic. It would have been a great one.” - Michael Iavarone, principle owner.
Big Brown retired
(photo: AP)
Unlike Zarkava, who retired in a blaze of glory and critical superlatives, Big Brown retired as result of an injury sustained during trackwork - and with a reputation tarnished by the most dismal effort ever of a horse attempting to win the third leg of the Triple Crown (the Belmont Stakes) when a dismal and deflating last. And this effort from a horse that appeared invincible as he raced wide and seemingly in a race of his own as he circled and defeated the best US thoroughbreds of his age in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. And there was the stigma of steroid use that hangs over (most of) his best performances.
The two wins produced by Big Brown after the Belmont Stakes were significant for the grittiness and courage that he showed. He battled hard and resolutely to run down longshot Coal Play in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. It was a win - but significantly a win so unlike any of those that came before.
Big Brown was always at the mercy of a hoof that was always brittle and chronic. That he should strike and gash a leg - and quarter a hoof - seems almost fitting as an exit.
It had been hoped that Big Brown could redeem his reputation when he met Curlin (and probably Duke Of Marmalade or Henrythenavigator) in the Breeders' Cup Classic. A victory over quality opposition was required to silence the critics and show that the earlier wins were as impressive as first thought. But now there will be no Zarkava style fairytale finish to this career.
The crop of US 3 year olds in 2007 was exceptional. The crop of 2008 may not be anywhere near as good.
Big Brown will now endeavour to remake a reputation with success as a stallion when he stands at stud at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky. Big Brown had one more race start than Zarkava - while both achieved seven wins.
Success in a post racetrack phase for Zarkava will be measured by small increments as she is first required to produce healthy foals - and then hopefully pass along her superb bloodlines.
Big Brown will spread his genes rapidly and have a far greater opportunity to produce quality horses as the weight of numbers (and quality of the mares he will serve) will allow him maximum opportunity for success.
But who would you place a bet on to produce a champion son or daughter? The odds are clearly favouring Big Brown - but might the champion filly also reign supreme in the breeding barn as she now does in the court of public opinion?
"Big Brown has been retired. He not only tore the bulb off his foot, but half the foot was torn off. We did everything we could to get to the Breeders' Cup. It's devastating. And what makes it even worse is that he worked great."
“It's not a devastating injury to a racehorse in the long term. It is for one that has a race in 12 days. It was a tremendous blow to the gut of all of us. . . . My heart goes out to all the fans who wanted to see a Big Brown-Curlin match-up in the Breeders' Cup Classic. It would have been a great one.” - Michael Iavarone, principle owner.
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