Big Brown injury forces his retirement

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Elmont, NY (Sports Network) - Michael Iavarone, President and CEO of IEAH Stables, confirmed that Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown has been retired after suffering an injury Monday morning.

"Today was a tough day," stated Iavarone during the teleconference. "We had no choice but to retire him. He's probably going to be in New York three weeks to a month."

The three-year-old injured his right front hoof Monday morning while training at Aqueduct. The injury means that Big Brown will not start in this year's $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic versus 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin. The two have been circling each other for the better part of the year.

"It looks like he grabbed his hoof in some kind of way," trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said after Big Brown returned from Aqueduct's turf course, where he worked six furlongs. "It is his right-front foot. It happened during the workout. He will not run in the Breeders' Cup."

Owned by IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr., Big Brown was stabled at Aqueduct while training for the October 25 Classic at Santa Anita.

"We are disappointed that Big Brown will not be able to compete in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic," said Breeders' Cup President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Avioli, "but are glad to hear that he is expected to make a full recovery from the injury he sustained earlier today. We wish Michael Iavarone, IEAH Stables and their connections the best of luck with champion Kip Deville and the other horses they have targeted for the Breeders' Cup World Championships."

Big Brown is set to enter stud at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky.

After capturing the first two legs of the Triple Crown, Big Brown was eased down the stretch in the Belmont Stakes to finish last. This year, he also won the Florida Derby, the Haskell Invitational and the Monmouth Stakes on the grass.

Big Brown won seven of eight career starts for more than $3.6 million.