Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown has been retired after the colt suffered an injury to his right front foot during a workout Monday morning at Aqueduct. Thus, the dream match-up of Big Brown and Curlin will not take place as anticipated in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Oct. 25.

The excitement of the impending showdown with Curlin gave way to the agony of seeing Big Brown’s career come to an abrupt end after the son of Boundary returned with a good portion of his right front hoof and the bulb of his foot torn off, the result of hitting himself from behind.

In his seven victories from eight starts, Big Brown won at six different tracks and at five different distances over a fast dirt track, a firm turf course, and a “good” turf course. He was the only horse to win the Kentucky Derby from post 20 and received the highest Ragozin and Thoro-Graph numbers ever. He also became the first horse since 1915 to win the Derby with only three career starts.

Horse Racing big brown, breeders cup, kentucky derby