BIG BROWN FORCED TO RETIRE!

Injury forces Big Brown retirement

Big Brown has been forced into retirement


DUAL-CLASSIC winner Big Brown suffered a career-ending injury in a work a Aqueduct on Monday morning, dashing all hopes of a much-anticipated meeting with reigning Horse of the Year Curlin in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on October 25.

BigBrown had worked over Aqueduct's turf course in company with defending Breeders' Cup Mile champion Kip Deville, the two finishing on even terms in 1min 12.80sec for six furlongs.

However Big Brown was found to have damaged the inside of his off-fore during the move, an injury severe enough to call a halt to the brilliant horse's career. He was not to have run as a four-year-old, with the Classic his final intended start.
"Big Brown has been retired, said majority owner IEAH Stable spokesman Michael Iavarone.

"He not only tore the bulb off his foot, but half of the foot was torn off. We did everything w could to get to the Breeders' Cup. It's devastating. And what makes it even worse is he worked great."

Curlin was cut to 7-2 favourite (from 4) for the Classic by Ladbrokes following the news, while 2,000 Guineas winner Henrythenavigator is 5-1 second favourite.

RP

Another chance for O'Brien?

HENRYTHENAVIGATOR is as short as 4-1 second favourite for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic in California on October 25 after the shock retirement of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown on Monday.

Dual US Classic winner Big Brown had been a general 4-1 second favourite to Curlin for the Breeders' Cup Classic only for his retirement to be announced after damaging the inside of his off fore during a workout on Monday morning.

His scratching from the Classic led Ladbrokes to trim last year's winner Curlin to 7-2 favourite (from 4-1). Henrythenavigator, the 2,000 Guineas winner trained in County Tipperary by Aidan O'Brien, was also cut, to 4-1 (from 6-1) by Stan James, and to ther sameprice (from 5-1) with Betfred.

Entries close on Tuesday for the Breeders' Cup meeting on October 24 and 25 and O'Brien has not announced publicly whether Henrythenavigator or five-time Group 1 winner Duke Of Marmalade will contest the Classic.
Big Brown suffered a career-ending injury in a workout at Aqueduct, dashing all hopes of a much-anticipated meeting with reigning Horse of the Year Curlin at Santa Anita.

Big Brown had worked over Aqueduct's turf course in company with defending Breeders' Cup Mile champion Kip Deville, the two finishing on even terms in 1min 12.80sec for six furlongs.

However Big Brown was found to have damaged the inside of his off-fore during the move, an injury severe enough to call a halt to the brilliant horse's career. He was not to have run as a four-year-old, with the Classic his final intended start.

"Big Brown has been retired, said majority owner IEAH Stable spokesman Michael Iavarone.

"He not only tore the bulb off his foot, but half ofthe 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 he worked great."

CURLIN has finally been given the go-ahead to run in Saturday week's Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

Majority owner Jess Jackson announced yesterday the ante-post favourite will take his chance in the $5 million event - despite reservations over the all-weather surface at the Californian track.

“Everything is a go,” said Jackson. “As a native Californian, nothing gives me more pleasure than announcing that Curlin will be entered for the race.”

Initial entries for all 14 Breeders' Cup races closed at 5pm British time on Tuesday.

Following news of Big Brown's retirement on Monday, the event received the shot in the arm it needed when Jackson ended months of deliberation by revealing that Curlin will bid to repeat last year's victory in North America's richest race.

The much anticipated head-to-head with the Kentucky Derby winner will not happen, but the main event now has one of its marquee names present and correct to take on a field also set to feature either Henrythenavigator or Duke Of Marmalade from Ballydoyle, plus John Gosden's QEII winner Raven's Pass. Before the news broke, Curlin was a best-priced 7-2 with British bookmakers.

The decision came on the heels of an impressive workout by the reigning US horse of the year on the new synthetic Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita on Monday.

“I hope for a repeat of last year's Classic,” added Jackson.

“He loves to win, he loves to compete. If he should win, it would be a cherry on top of this season.”
Speaking in a teleconference, Jackson spoke about what it would mean for Curlin to win the Classic for a second season in a row.

“It would add one more feather to his reputation,” he said.

“He has shown the ability and stamina few other horses have shown,” the owner went on.

“I am concerned about the surface. It brings them all closer together. I worry about the field not having a lot of early speed.”

Curlin has won on any number of different dirt tracks, as well as running away with the Dubai World Cup on the sand at Nad Al Sheba. He has never encountered an all-weather strip.

Asked why he had overcome his misgivings, Jackson explained: “I owe it to the horse. Curlin tells us he is fit; the condition of the horse is the most important thing.

“I do want to give the fans a chance to see him one more time. Fans need heroes, and that's what we're trying to do with him.”

Other options remain open for later in 2008, however, with the Japan Cup Dirt and Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs prominent among them. Jackson also hinted that Curlin could possibly stay in training at five.

On Monday at Santa Anita, Curlin went 5f in 59.11s under regular exercise rider Carlos Rosas, working in company with stablemate Hawaii Calls.

Trainer Steve Asmussen was overjoyed. “I'm extremely pleased with the way he worked and galloped out,” he said.

“Carlos let him gallop out a quarter-mile and pull up. He was strong at every pole. His consistency and durablility is something that separates him. It's amazing for him to look like he does after making $10 million.”