Big Brown Triple Crown . com

As would be expected, Three Chimneys, who has reportedly paid in excess of $50 million for Big Brown's breeding rights, is relieved to find that there is still no report of a physical injury to Big Brown.

Kentucky.com - Brandon Ortiz: Three Chimneys 'relieved' for Big Brown

As Big Brown began to ease up in the final eighth of a mile of the Belmont Stakes, the only thing that crossed Three Chimneys President Case Clay's mind was whether the future stud was OK. "The word is, there aren't any signs of any problems, so we're relieved," Clay said......more

To know the story of Big Brown it is important to go back to the beginning and learn about the man responsible for getting his mom and dad together in the first place. Big Brown Breeder Dr. Gary B. Knapp. Knapp was once a college professor of marketing research before 1989 when he purchased the land that would become Monticule Farms in Kentucky. In April, 2004, for a sire fee of $10,000 he bred Boundary to a broodmare named Mien. The June 6th article below goes into detail about how math was used to make the match.

International Herald Tribune - AP - June 6: Big Brown's breeder relies on math, not magic

....When Knapp ran the numbers on his mare, Mien, the match for one particular stallion, Boundary, was through the roof. The product was Big Brown, although Knapp acknowledges no statistic could have foretold what the horse has pulled off. "I don't know where one would get the hubris to think they can breed a Kentucky Derby winner, so we don't think like that," he said. "We think, this is going to be a good racehorse.".....more

Suite101.com - BarbaraAnne Helberg: Boundary and Mien's Big Brown

....Mien's owner, Dr. Gary Knapp, correctly assessed the possibilities of Bounday and Mien producing a special offspring. Knapp purchased the mare Miasma in foal (with Mien) at Keeneland's 1998 breeding sale. Miasma was sired by Lear Fan, who produced 892 offspring......more

Snake River Canyon, the older brother of Big Brown, finished 4th in a $40,000 claimer on the turf today at Churchill. It was the 14th race of a career, marked by just one win. His one win was during the one race that he was owned by Paul Pompa Jr, who liked him so much that he was inspired to buy his little Brother, Big Brown, for $190,000 at the Keeneland 2-year-old auction.

Courier Journal - Jennie Rees: Big Brown's big brother 4th at Churchill

Big Brown's big brother Snake River Canyon finished fourth in today's fifth race for $40,000 claimers on grass at Churchill Downs. The 4-year-old gelding now is 1 for 14, but.....more

In an informal phone interview with BloodHorse.com's Jason Shandler, Mike Iavarone said that while it was not in the best interest of IEAH's "bottom line", he was prepared to race Big Brown after the Belmont Stakes "for the fans." He said that if Big Brown was healthy, he would run again.

BloodHorse.com - Jason Shandler: A Plea To Iavarone: Part 2

...I asked Iavarone the question all racing fans wanted to know: Would Big Brown really race after the Belmont or were they just leading us along? Iavarone was as candid as he could be. He said if Big Brown comes out of the Belmont in good shape, he would run again......more

In an article at Blood-Horse.com, indications are that Three Chimneys only purchased a "minority interest" in Big Brown and that the racing career of the horse is under the control of IEAH and Paul Pompa Jr.

Blood-Horse - Dan Liebman: Whirlwind for Clay Pays Off

....Clay would not release any financial details, but said he and a group of 10-12 partners purchased a "minority interest" in Big Brown. When the colt will be retired is completely controlled by his owners, IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr. "The racing career is under Michael’s direction," Clay said, referring to Michael Iavarone of IEAH......more

More news came from the mouth of Richard Dutrow on Wednesday Morning. He declared that Belmont Rival Casino Drive had "no chance" and that Big Brown would not be retired immediately after the Belmont Stakes. He indicated that Big Brown would run in the Travers and the Breeders Cup Classic before retiring to stud.

New York Times - Bill Finley: Trainer Hints Belmont Isn’t End for Big Brown

With the Belmont Stakes still more than two weeks away, the trainer Rick Dutrow’s swagger over Big Brown is in full force. On Wednesday morning at Belmont, Dutrow declared that Big Brown’s rival from Japan, Casino Drive, would have “no chance” June 7 and that Big Brown would not stop after completing the Triple Crown. .....more

After a few days of speculation, it was announced on the NBC telecast of the Preakness that Big Brown will in fact stand at Three Chimneys in Midway, Kentucky. The deal was signed on Saturday at noon. IEAH will retain a share. Details were not released regarding what share was purchased or what his stud fee may be. The deal is reportedly for $60 million.

New York Newsday - Ed McNamara: Source says Big Brown stud deal worth $60 million

Win or lose June 7 in the Belmont Stakes, what are the chances that undefeated Triple Crown contender Big Brown will run again? "Very good," his co-owner, Holbrook resident Michael Iavarone, said yesterday. "As long as he comes out of the race in the right way and shows us that he wants to go on, I think it would make sense for us to go on with him." Iavarone has said Big Brown will not race as a 4-year-old next year, when he will begin his stud career. On Saturday, Iavarone sold Big Brown's breeding rights for what one source told Newsday yesterday was more than a record $60 million......more

Blood-Horse: Big Brown to Three Chimneys

...."We have entertained a variety of flattering offers but felt Three Chimneys was the best choice for us," Iavarone was quoted as saying in a press release on the IEAH Web site. "We were determined to participate in his breeding career and the Three Chimneys deal has given us this opportunity.....more

New York Newsday - Ed McNamara: Stud deal for Big Brown

....IEAH co-president Michael Iavarone said this week that the colt will not run next year as a 4-year-old. "We have entertained a variety of flattering offers but felt Three Chimneys was the best for us," Iavarone said.....more

A day after IEAH's Michael Iavarone promised an official announcement, the deal has fallen through. Discussions will continue after the Preakness Stakes on Saturday.

Blood-Horse - Tom LaMarra: Big Brown Stud Deal Will Have to Wait

....“Unfortunately, we couldn't come to terms on a stud deal for Big Brown prior to the Preakness as we had hoped,” Iavarone said. “Legal issues and time constraints proved too much to overcome, and we will revisit all options following the Preakness......more

IEAH Stables' Michael Iavarone announced at a press conference today that Big Brown would not run as a four year old. Official announcement about his stud career will be made tomorrow.

Blood-Horse - Evan Hammonds: Stud Plans for Big Brown Due Thursday

....Michael Iavarone said the chances of Big Brown running as a 4-year-old were “none.” Iavarone also said an announcement regarding the future stud career of Big Brown would be made May 15.....more

Big Brown was purchased by Hidden Brook, as agent for co-owner Paul Pompa Jr., for $190,000 at Keeneland’s 2007 April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The Boundary colt was consigned by Eddie Woods, agent.

Links to Keeneland April 2007 Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale Book (April 17, 2007)

Actual Keeneland April 2007 Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale Book (April 17, 2007) (CAUTION: 257 Pages)

Big Brown's Page (only) from the Keeneland April 2007 Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale Book (April 17, 2007)

Big Brown (Hip No. 589) was among more than 1000 yearlings on catalog at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale at Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky between October 23 and 25th, 2006. He was sold for $60,000 by the breeder, Dr. Gary B. Knapp's Monticule Farms (KY). He was purchased by pin-hooker Eddie Woods
Links to Faisig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale Catalog (Oct 23-25, 2006)

Actual Faisig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale Catalog (Oct 23-25, 2006) (CAUTION: 1081 Pages)

Big Brown's Page (only) from the Faisig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale Catalog (Oct 23-25, 2006)

Thoroughbred Times Preview of the auction.

The future Big Brown was foaled in Kentucky. He was bred by Dr. Gary B. Knapp's Monticule Farms in Lexington with a stud fee of $10,000.

On Preakness day (before the race), Three Chimneys reached an agreement with IEAH and Paul Pompa Jr. worth somewhere in the range of $50-60 million regarding the breeding rights to Big Brown.

USA Today - Gary Mihoces - June 6: Big Brown set for five-star life once racing career ends

There are six, spacious stalls in the main stallion barn at Three Chimneys Farm. One will be going to Big Brown, whose breeding rights have been acquired by the farm......more

Exact details of the deal between IEAH and Three Chimneys were not immedately released and some reports are conflicting. In an article at Blood-Horse.com, indications are that Three Chimneys only purchased a "minority interest" in Big Brown and that the racing career of the horse is under the control of IEAH and Paul Pompa Jr.

AP - Will Graves - June 5: Three Chimneys gears up for Big Brown's arrival

Lazy afternoons spent in a paddock with plenty of room to roam and all the Kentucky bluegrass you can eat. A morning hot walk or a casual jog around a quarter-mile track. Daily baths and the kind of personal attention that would make even the most pampered celebrity blush. Oh, and a date — sometimes two — just about every day for five solid months. Visitors stop by a few times a week, snap your picture and tell you just how great you are. A horse could get used to this.
If Big Brown thinks he's got it made now, standing so regally in his stall at Belmont Park while he waits for Saturday's run at a Triple Crown, wait until he gets to Three Chimneys. The farm, 2,000 acres in the middle of Kentucky's pristine horse country, will serve as Big Brown's home once the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner retires from racing, probably by the end of the year......more

Daily Racing Form (subscription) - Glenye Cain Oakford: Three Chimneys enters new era

A little more than 23 years ago, Robert Clay stood outside the stallion barn at his Three Chimneys Farm, awaiting the arrival of the undefeated Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, who came to the Midway, Ky., farm after starting his stud career at Spendthrift. Clay hopes he will be waiting for another undefeated Triple Crown winner in the fairly near future, now that Three Chimneys has secured the right to stand Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown at stud in a deal that is believed to put the stallion prospect's value at about $50 million.....more

Blood-Horse - Dan Liebman: Whirlwind for Clay Pays Off

....Clay would not release any financial details, but said he and a group of 10-12 partners purchased a "minority interest" in Big Brown. When the colt will be retired is completely controlled by his owners, IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr. "The racing career is under Michael’s direction," Clay said, referring to Michael Iavarone of IEAH......more

Newsday had reported that sources indicated the deal was worth $60 million, but had no further details.

New York Newsday - Ed McNamara: Source says Big Brown stud deal worth $60 million

Win or lose June 7 in the Belmont Stakes, what are the chances that undefeated Triple Crown contender Big Brown will run again? "Very good," his co-owner, Holbrook resident Michael Iavarone, said yesterday. "As long as he comes out of the race in the right way and shows us that he wants to go on, I think it would make sense for us to go on with him." Iavarone has said Big Brown will not race as a 4-year-old next year, when he will begin his stud career. On Saturday, Iavarone sold Big Brown's breeding rights for what one source told Newsday yesterday was more than a record $60 million......more

Blood-Horse: Big Brown to Three Chimneys

...."We have entertained a variety of flattering offers but felt Three Chimneys was the best choice for us," Iavarone was quoted as saying in a press release on the IEAH Web site. "We were determined to participate in his breeding career and the Three Chimneys deal has given us this opportunity.....more

New York Newsday - Ed McNamara: Stud deal for Big Brown

....IEAH co-president Michael Iavarone said this week that the colt will not run next year as a 4-year-old. "We have entertained a variety of flattering offers but felt Three Chimneys was the best for us," Iavarone said.....more

Boundary stands at Claiborne Farms and was the sire for Big Brown in 2004 (at a fee of $10,000. Unfortunately he has 18 years old and has had fertility issues forcing retirement from stud in 2005. One noteworthy point about Boundary is that he never won beyond six furlongs, making Big Brown's success beyond a mile very impressive.

DRF (subscription required) - Glenye Cain Oakford: Big Brown adding to Claiborne legacy

It's a dream scenario for most stud farms to have one of their sires' colts on the verge of winning the Triple Crown. But it's bittersweet for Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky., because Big Brown's sire has been pensioned since 2005......more