Vinery Australia announced today that their star recruit, 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown, will not be returning to Australia for the coming 2012 Southern Hemisphere breeding season.
Big Brown sustained a laceration to a hind leg which, although not structurally serious, did become infected, delaying the healing process. Veterinary advice has recommended against shuttling the horse, as the extensive travel and quarantine process would not be conducive to his recovery.
Big Brown maintained his popularity with breeders this past year in Kentucky. Fueled by positive reports about this two-year-olds in training, Big Brown covered a book of 140 mares during the 2012 Northern Hemisphere season.
His three winners to date include BROWN ALMIGHTY, winner of a one mile maiden special weight at Arlington Park in his first career start, and BROWN EYES BLUE, who debuted a winner in a six furlong maiden special at Churchill Downs on June 30 by a length and three-quarters.
“We are very happy for those breeders who took the opportunity to send mares to Big Brown in his first two seasons – 130 plus each year,” said Peter Orton. “It looks like he is going to reward their support given good early results and the promise of so much more to come.
We greatly look forward to Big Brown’s return to Vinery in 2013”.
