BIG Brown’s pedigree looks even more impressive with the Stallion’s half-brother Alfoso de Sousa being aimed at the upcoming Group 1 Phoenix Stakes (1200m) after winning his maiden by 9-lens in Leopardstown over the same distance in Ireland on the weekend.
The Aidan O’Brien trained 2YO clearly appreciated the firmer footing having suffered unexpected defeats at his two previous starts.
Alfoso de Sousa started a prohibitive 4/9on favourite and made light work of his rivals and enable a crack at an all important Group 1.
“This better ground made all the difference, as his sire hated soft ground. He is a possible for the Gr1 Phoenix Stakes,’’ O’Brien said.
A US$300,000 Keeneland Yearling purchase, Alfonso de Sousa has clearly inherited some of his siblings’ freakish gifts which saw Big brown acclaimed as the USA wonderhorse after he won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes among his lifetime tally of 4 Grade Ones.
Last week Vinery Australia announced that Big Brown (Boundary-Mien, by Nureyev) will miss the 2012 season but return to Australia for the 2013 Southern Hemisphere breeding season after he sustained a laceration to a hind leg whilst preparing for quarantine.
