Brass Hat injured

[my miss storm cat]

Sad news from DRF...

Injury sidelines Brass Hat
By MARTY McGEE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The roller-coaster racing career of Brass Hat has hit another low point. The 5-year-old gelding suffered a fractured sesamoid in his right front ankle following a Thursday workout at the Trackside Training Center, and trainer Buff Bradley said it will take months before it can be determined whether he can return to racing.
"He was pulling up when he took a bad step," said Bradley, who trains Brass Hat for his father, Fred Bradley, the gelding's breeder and owner. "The injury won't require surgery, and it's in a good spot. It's non-displaced and not a complex fracture. Only time will tell if he can come back."

In 15 races, Brass Hat has earned more than $1.2 million, most of it from victories in the Ohio and Indiana derbies at 3, and the Donn and New Orleans handicaps early this year. He finished second in the Dubai World Cup in March and would have earned another $1.2 million, but he was disqualified for a medication positive.

The disqualification was deeply disturbing to the Bradleys, and this latest setback "was very emotional for all of us yesterday," Bradley said Friday.

Besides his six wins, all in stakes, Brass Hat's career also has been marked by a 13-month layoff, from October 2004 to November 2005, caused by a condylar fracture just above his right ankle. The latest injury is unrelated to the old one, said Bradley.

"I didn't think he'd make it back after that first fracture," he said. "Getting him back after that was a bonus. Maybe if he makes it back this time, it'll be an extra bonus. But I don't want to give anybody false hope. Even if he never makes it back, he doesn't owe us a thing. He's meant the world to our family."

Brass Hat, by Prized, will recover at the family's Indian Ridge Farm in Frankfort, Ky.

[Downthestretch55]

MMSC,
Thanks for the news.

AWW! Shucks!!!!

DTS

[EpBurns]

Although a gelding I think it would be admirable to retire him and let him live out his life in leisure

Originally Posted by EpBurns

Although a gelding I think it would be admirable to retire him and let him live out his life in leisure

Sounds like that is the plan. The owners sound like good people.

[sumitas]

He sure didn't deserve the raw deal in Dubai. The working man's hero has had a great career overcoming much.

What a shame.................honest gelding and a good horse to be a fan of for the 'little guy'......too bad...our sport needs more like him...

[paisjpq]

that is unbelievably disappointing! I have worked with Buff's wife and know the family somewhat and they are just the nicest, most honest, hard working horsemen/women, I feel terrible for them. Brass hat got screwed in dubai and now life it appears has screwed him once more. I hope he heals quickly and without incident.

[Swap Fliparoo]

Aw, crap. I've been a big fan of this guy for a long time.

[Pedigree Ann]

Blast and blast! One of my faves over the last 3 years, honest as the day is long. I wish him a swift recovery and a long life.

Although a life of leisure may not be to his liking in retirement - some retired TBs fret themselves into bad shape if just left to 'be a horse' for a long time, like Kona Gold. They are bred to have all that energy and it often needs an outlet, like being a pony, or a hunter, or a dressage horse, or even just a backyard riding horse. A friend of mine had a TB who raced until 11, then became her combined training horse (never stopped on cross country). She tried to retire him at 18, but being a pasture ornament was determental to his health. So she leased as a show hunter and he was in hog heaven.

[ateamstupid]

How on earth did this take so long to get reported?