RightFielders Women in Sports

Meet Big Brown, the magnificent horse who won the Preakness Stakes today and may well be on his way to a Triple Crown. Read his biography and see photos and a video of him below.

Big Brown

Big Brown left his competition in his dust at the 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes today. His win at the Kentucky Derby was overshadowed by the tragic death of Eight Belles, a filly who had crossed the finish line on Big Brown’s heels. For a moment today it looked like Gayego might have a chance of surging ahead of Big Brown, but with just a few strides, Big Brown pulled ahead of any would-be competition and crossed the finish line 5 ¼ lengths the battle for second between Macho Again and Icabad Crane.

Now, everyone is looking to the Triple Crown. Its been four years since Smarty Jones left the Kentucky Derby with aspirations of the Triple Crown and its the most exciting anticipation of a possible Triple Crown winner in the 29 years since Spectacular Bid. Big Brown joins a league that includes the greatest names in racing as undefeated Derby and Preakness winners, Majestic Prince (1969), Seattle Slew (1977) went on to win the Triple Crown and Smarty Jones (2004).

Big Brown is a three-year-old sired by Boundary and who was the second foal of his dam, Mien. Boundary never won beyond a sprint because of offset knees, but he was sired by Danzig. Mien is a winner by 8.5 furlongs and whose progeny have been champions. Boundary and Mein are closely related. Both are the progeny of Northern Dancer. Boundary is a son of Northern Dancer out of a mare bread on a Damascus/Round Table cross. Mein is by a son of Northern Dancer out of the daughter of a mare bred on a Damascus/Round Table cross. Both Round Table and Damascus were stayers and sources of stamina and its this inbreeding in Big Brown’s pedigree that is credited with his staying ability.

Big Brown - Photos