Big Brown, winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness, and sire of 2015 Kentucky Derby contender Dortmund, has been offered for a free breeding to a NY claiming mare. Photo courtesy Sunrise Stallions
A chance to breed a retired N.Y. racemare— free of charge— to 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown, the sire of 2015 Derby favorite Dortmund, has been offered to philanthropic horsemen as a reward for their efforts last month to do right by the same racemare.
Following the successful effort by Dallas horseman John Murrell and New York trainer Carl Domino to claim back race mare Rock N Cozy from race trainer David Jacobson last month, Big Brown’s people stepped up with an offer.
Sunrise Stallions GM Eric Bishop, upon learning how Murrell and Domino claimed back the prized mare for $15,000 in a heartfelt effort to retire her from racing, says he made the offer out of respect for their conduct as horsemen and admiration for the mare’s success on the racetrack. Rock N Cozy earned $231,000 in 39 starts, showing heart and stamina.
Saying that if any men deserved the opportunity with Big Brown, it was the gentlemen who swooped in to claim back Rock N Cozy from Davidson in a $15,000 claiming race at Belmont Park May 20, a race which the mare won. (Please read the earlier story here: http://offtrackthoroughbreds.com/2015/05/27/horsemen-thats-it-were-getting-her-out/)
As a way of rewarding these actions and helping to promote good breeding practices in a state that could benefit from a good pairing such as would come from Big Brown and Rock N Cozy, Bishop says he offered the free breeding, an $8,000 value, as a way to thank the men for setting a stellar example in the racing business.
Rock N Cozy grazes with Carl Domino by her side.
“There are a lot of good people in this business and a lot of not-so-good people in this business. When we saw what John Murrell and Carl Domino did for Rock N Cozy, we decided we wanted to do something nice for them, because they’re good people,” he says, noting that the beautiful gray mare, with her strong track record, great conformation, and giant heart would also be a great match for Big Brown.
“Here’s a mare who’s run close to 40 times. Not too many Thoroughbreds are in that position, and she even went out as a winner,” Bishop says, referring to her win in her last race at Belmont Park on May 20.
Murrell and Domino, who each work on Thoroughbred welfare efforts— Murrell with frequent financial contributions to rescue Thoroughbreds from the slaughter pipeline and Domino, serving on the board of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation—were honored by the offer.
Emphasizing that no decision has been made yet for Rock N Cozy, Murrell says he is well aware that some in the horse-welfare world might oppose breeding her, based on arguments of overpopulation and unwanted horse problems.
Rock N Cozy was claimed in May by John Murrell and Carl Domino. Photo by Frankie Olaya
“I am active in taking horses out of bad situations when my funds and efforts allow it, and I certainly emphasize with individuals who would have an adverse reaction to a breeding because it creates more horses in the world,” Murrell says. “I understand that, but at the same time, I am also a horseman and I make money in the racing industry. I do it the right way. New York racing has a long history of good programs for New York breds and I think a breeding with Big Brown could be a great boost to the New York industry.”
Domino notes that Rock N Cozy, who was a particular favorite of his wife Sophia, is a solid racehorse in her own right. Earning just over $230,000 on the track, she always tried, regardless of the surface she ran on or the competition around her. “She’s an honest horse and she’s nice to be around. If you look at all of her races, she always tried,” Domino says. “She’s very honest and has a nice conformation.
As Domino and Murrell decide whether to accept the very generous offer from Big Brown’s people at Sunrise Stallions of New York, the mare is being let down, enjoying grass and just being a horse, Murrell says. If they take Big Brown up on the offer, it would occur sometime next year, he says. If they decide not to breed her, Murrell and Domino will begin looking for a permanent home for the mare.
Yes breed the mare breed the best to the best & hope for the best !
Was she ever bred to Big Brown?
No. There are enough horses out there. I get offered wonderful TB’s every week by trainers that I know. A less TB’s in the system means less are ending up as dinner in other countries. Should we breed you to a hunky stud just because you could have children? At some point one has to say no.
I would gladly take any of these horses that are destined for the slaughter. I don’t know how. I have 7 acres and a barn where a horse could live happily. I sold my trailer when i stopped showing. Somebody tell me how to save even one horse
Linda , most of the auctions have someone who will ship a horse for you. if you are near any tracks , leave a flyer at the stable gates , let people know you are looking for a horse to provide a good loving home .. Look for the local horse auctions near you. or contact all of these organizations , all rehome thoroughbreds- all are looking for people like you – also many standardbreds ( if a quieter tempered horse is what your looking for .look up standardbred rehoming organizations ) : http://canterusa.org/ — http://www.rerunottb.com/ — http://www.goodhorse.org/2014/07/03/adopt-find-your-next-partner/ – http://aftertheraces.org/ — http://www.thoroughbredadoption.com/ — http://www.goodhorse.org/
I hope someone retires JIDDY and sends her to NY . She’s racing in Ohio at Thistledown and needs someone to claim her before she breaksdown like Fire Chief.
I would decline the breeding and see if she is could go onto a second career as an event mare, fox hunter or some other sport horse after she has been properly rested and let down. She has proved she is durable. She would be striking in braids coming down the centerline in a dressage ring.
Breed her to Big Brown!!
Kudos to all involved….this is whats right with the horse business. No matter what you do she will have a great life. An amazing foal and if you decide to retire her we would love to give her a great home with our 2 other aged retired mares off track
To all involved, good Karma is in your future. She is a beautiful mare in her own right, breeding her to the beautiful Big Brown, is a bonus. Best of luck all!
Lexi I love horse you have shock me by saying slaughter house promise me to save horse from slaughter.I love T’bred.
Thank you for bringing more awareness to the plight of these unwanted warriors. I love Big Brown, what cool horse he is.
John, just as may offer for your permanent reservation for retirement of your most recent colt stands, I hereby make the same offer for this breeding – if you decide to take this breeding offer, at any time you make a decision to retire or withdraw the offspring from racing, he/she has a permanent retirement home with Sartin Farms West, along with all of the visits, carrots and treats you wish and a cozy and final home for life! Thank you for all you do!!! – Allison Moody Sartin
I’d still love to see this beauty in the show ring. Maybe breed her and after the foal is weaned, start her on a horse show track.
I thank you for your putting this article out there as this trainer has had another horse claimed by another party to be retired lately. I think that is a sad statement for New York racing as I have seen many of this trainer’s horses get injured or die on the track. I think these owners understand that the public is watching and weighing in on racing. I think racing is trying to fight its way back into the racing public’s heart since the Triple Crown races. But, with so much information available, it is hard to like what happens to the horses. The good guys need more credit, the bad guys need more punishment and removal. If drugging would be addressed and steps taken, that would be a bigger step in the right direction. The public and betting public wants to see a cleaner, healthier, open vet record type of reform and an end to slaughter.Yes, that is a lot to ask for requiring a governing body and open minds. Shouldn’t the welfare of the jockey, the horse and then the owner be of utmost concern? Danzig Moon is still fresh on my mind and I am sure I am not the only horse owner/lover out there thinking these thoughts.
Bravo Mr. Eric Bishop your a good man.
Wow, so impressed with how awesome the good people in this business are and continue to be. What an incredibly generous offer from Eric Bishop. So many thanks again and again to John Murrell and Carl Domino. As for the “not-so-good people”, specifically, I wish David Jacobson would retire himself from the racing business for good (disclaimer: I understand Jacobson wasn’t specifically mentioned in the article as being a “not-so-good” person, that is just my personal opinion of him!).
YAAAAY another one saved from the slaughterhouse
Lexi: Actually, nobody was going to the slaughterhouse. But, thanks for your enthusiasm. 🙂
ABOUT 75% OF OFF THE TRACK THOROUGHBREDS end up in a kill pen headed for the nearest slaughterhouses in mexico & canada, i guess you are not very familiar with this horrifying issue, but this is unfortunately where MOST ‘retired’ race horses go. most people have no idea and the numbers are horribly scewed by the industry , spend some time at your local kill auctions if you want the REAL NUMBERS . thoroughbreds are easy enough to pick out all you have to do is lift up their poor trembling lips to see what most thoroughbred owners do with their unwanted stock. & obviously these 2 men are also aware of what happens to them, koodos to them for saving this one from the disturbing fate most thoroughbreds are forced to endure.
Lexi, Susan probably knows more than you do about horses sent to slaughterhouses. She continuously publicizes the versatility of the OTTB through this website and is a devoted advocate for the OTTB. Her comment referred solely to the facts of this case.
Wow, you are so off the wall and intent on spewing your agenda that a rational person wouldn’t bother to respond to your latest post lexi63. But the fact that you choose to lecture (in your very condescending know it all way) some of the most respected folks in the TB aftercare movement indicates how absolutely CLUELESS you are and at the very least needs to be brought to the attention of anyone who might regard you as knowledgeable.
The TB industry as a whole (some folks way more than others) does more to address aftercare than ANY OTHER BREED ORGANIZATION. Next time you are at the kill pen count how many quarter horses and Arabians you see there. (If you actually know horses you’ll be able to pick them out without having to look for a lip tattoo.) And being so knowledgeable I’m sure you are well aware the both the AQHA and the Arabian Assn ADVOCATE for slaughter as a means for owners of those breeds to dispose of their horses. Then come talk about “REAL NUMBERS”.
The fact that John Murrell addresses in this article anyone’s concerns about breeding his mare is just indicative of how classy this man is. Anyone who has done as much for TB rescue (which he does without fanfare) doesn’t owe anyone an explanation on the choices he makes for his own horses. (You give the impression you didn’t bother to read Susan’s original article on Rock N Cozy or this article completely either.)
So lexi63, how many TBs have you saved from the kill pen? How many TBs are you providing a forever home for? How many TBs have you claimed? (There are many TBs that run for a cheaper claiming tag than this mare.) Surely you have done something positive regarding TB aftercare.
Susan’s site shows the possibilities and successes of sharing life with a TB…all your rants do is turn people off and show you for exactly what you are.
christa lets stick to facts. contrary to the fairy tail you have in your mind , most of these horses ( OVER 75% ) head to a slaughterhouse at very young ages, before they ever see a racetrack , the sickening numbers ( about 3 % ) of thoroughbreds that are bred that even see a starting gate & yes This is a great article about saving one horse, i am trying to bring attention where it needs to be brought on great articles like this where some good is being done, the facts should be addressed ( where unfortunately the overwhelming majority of owners throw away their profit eating charges once they are done making money with them, the thoroughbred industry ( yes just like the quarter horse arabian- & all FOR PROFIT horse industries ) are just that , industry- made to make money off of the innocent that then need saving from their own in most cases, yes the numbers speak for themselves for anyone that cares to research them properly. & obviously a few ( very few) of these people are involved in thoroughbred rescue, those that are ( like myself, the ones in the trench’s) are dreadfully aware of these facts & the chances this horse had once she leaves the track that is why they saved her. there is MUCH work to be done & scewing the facts christa & bizarre name calling at someone who is always trying to bring help to the innocent creatures is not a way to help these horses. http://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/thoroughbred-horse6.htm
That’s so awesome. She’s A Beauty. I’m a huge fan of grays and big brown. My husband took in a horse from the track after it suffered a bad break. Owner were going to put down. With a good plea the owners turned the horse over to him. 1 year of treatment and care and he fully recovered. Went on to race again and retired with him as a trail horse and enjoy his life. Keep up the good work. She can retire with me, lol.
What ever is decided, one thing is for sure — good people once again have surfaced and stepped up. Many thanks to Big Brown’s connections for understanding and caring and doing something with the possibilities they can offer and congratulations to Murrell and Domino for their INDOMITABLE spirit of looking after our special creature, equines.
Victoria:
I love your comment, thank you. I agree. Also, we need to set up a time to talk soon. Sue