NEWS
Grade 1 winner Brass Hat retired
Posted: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 6:32 PM
BRASS HAT
Keeneland/Coady Photography
by Steve Bailey
Fred Bradley’s homebred Grade 1 winner Brass Hat was retired on Tuesday prior to making a start as a ten-year-old.
Trainer Buff Bradley said he and his father, Fred, made the decision after the horse “did not appear to be as free moving as he once was.”
“Both Fred and I knew this day would come and that probably Brass Hat's body would show signs of age before his mental attitude slowed down,” Buff Bradley said in an e-mail to family, friends, and racing fans. “We have no regrets and know how fortunate we have been to have foaled, raised and raced such a true racehorse.
“Brass Hat now will go back to our Indian Ridge Farm in Frankfort , Kentucky, where he was born and raised. He will have a good life in retirement, while being turned out with his pasture friends Magic and Goliath.”
Brass Hat, who made successful comebacks from a pair of life-threatening leg injuries, finished second in his first two career starts before winning the 2004 Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park.
The Prized gelding out of the Dixie Brass mare Brassy made 40 career starts and earned $2,173,561. At three, he won the Ohio Derby (G2) and the Indiana Derby (G2); at five, the Donn (G1) and New Orleans (G2) Handicaps; at six, the Massachusetts Handicap; at eight, the Louisville Handicap (G3); and the Sycamore Stakes (G3) at nine last fall at Keeneland Race Course.
Brass Hat also finished second behind Electrocutionist in the 2006 Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) but later was disqualified and forced to forfeit his $1.2-million share of the $6-million purse after a controversial post-race drug positive that the Bradleys fought unsuccessfully through legal channels.
Brass Hat won ten times with eight second- and five third-place finishes in seven seasons of racing. He broke two track records, won on dirt, turf, and synthetic surfaces, and won or placed in 19 stakes.
“Brass Hat has been a very special animal, not only to our family and the employees of Bradley Racing Stable, but also to many thoroughbred race fans. For this reason, Fred and I will continue to welcome all family, friends and fans to visit Brass Hat at our farm in Frankfort , Kentucky.”
Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of Thoroughbred Times
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Horse whisperer, Irrigon,Ore, OR on May 26, 2011 at 06:49 AM
This horse was treated right his whole racing career. He was injured several times but was always given rest and time to recover. A classic example of how a horse SHOULD BE HANDELRD!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by: animal kingdom lover, horseland, IL on May 25, 2011 at 11:05 AM
FINALLY HE IS WAY TO OLD TO RACE!! HOW SELFISH!!!! (no wonder he had two serious injurys) poor boy live a good long life!
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Posted by: DBH, Schenectady, NY on May 24, 2011 at 09:52 PM
Enjoyed following him.....enjoy your retirement !
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Posted by: Mira, Port St. Lucie, FL on May 24, 2011 at 09:25 PM
Good. He was 10 years old.
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