Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown retired

Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown has been retired after suffering an injury during training at Aqueduct yesterday.

The Rick Dutrow-trained colt, who also won the Haskell Invitational and Monmouth Stakes this summer, was expected to face 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on October 25.

Michael Iavarone, co-owner of IEAH Stables, said: “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 is a bitter end for Big Brown, who looked every inch a superstar when becoming the first horse in 79 years to win the Kentucky Derby from stall 20.

Two weeks later, Big Brown roared to victory in the Preakness as he moved within a step of becoming the first American Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

However, Big Brown’s chance at history leading up the Belmont Stakes was slowed when he developed a slight quarter crack on the inside of his left front hoof.

While it was determined the injury was not a factor, Big Brown was eased at the top of the stretch in the Belmont en route to becoming to the first horse going for the Triple Crown to finish last.

Big Brown, who will enter stud at Robert Clay’s Three Chimney’s farm for the 2009 breeding season, finished his career with seven wins in eight career starts.