Big Brown yearlings at Keeneland September Sale

Vinery shuttler Big Brown has 34 yearlings catalogued for the Keeneland September yearling sale which starts on Monday, September 10.

The Kentucky Derby winner’s first crop averaged $82,712 at the 2011 Keeneland Sale and, after his impressive start this year, that figure is sure to increase at the world’s largest yearling sale next week.

Big Brown has already sired a half dozen winners this year including LR Sunny’s Halo Stakes winner Brown Almighty.  The flashy chestnut is being set for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and he could be joined by Big Brown youngsters Archer Hill and One Foxy Grey at Santa Anita in November.

Big Brown was clearly the best colt of his generation.  He won by 11 lengths at Saratoga as a two year-old before returning the following year to win the first of four Group 1 events in the Florida Derby.

He claimed the 2008 Kentucky Derby from an outside barrier and then scored another dominant victory in Preakness Stakes.  Hoof problems hampered his bid for the Triple Crown and he was eased down by Kent Desormeaux as the field entered the straight in the Belmont Stakes.

Big Brown was back on his pedestal with a triumphant return in the G1 Haskell Invitational before he was retired to Three Chimneys Farm.  When Big Brown arrived at the famed Kentucky stud, it was impossible not to be impressed with the horse who glided off the float and showed off his near-perfect conformation and remarkable presence.

His first Kentucky book comprised 110 mares and his first Vinery book numbered 131 mares.  He covered another 124 in the Hunter Valley last year but a lacerated hind leg meant he missed the current southern shuttle.

Three Chimneys Farm offers the first Big Brown (Lot 430) at Keeneland.  The bay colt is from True and True (Is It True) who won four races and was G3 placed at Del Mar.

The 2012 Keeneland September catalogue can be viewed here:  www.keeneland.com.