2019 Eclipse Awards: Peter Brant

Peter M. Brant was a prominent owner and breeder through the 1970s and 1980s before backing away from the sport in the 1990s, focusing on the White Birch Paper Company he runs and also pursuing his other equestrian passion, polo. A few years ago, he decided to dive back in to Thoroughbred racing, breeding, and sales, and quickly made headlines with several quality runners, many imported from Europe.

He is among the finalists for the Eclipse Award for leading owner of 2019.

:: Full list of 2019 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories

Brant, 72, added an Eclipse Award champion to his résumé in 2018 when Sistercharlie finished her season by winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mary Turf to outpoll the great Enable for a divisional title. Sistercharlie returned to the races in strong fashion in 2019, adding successive Grade 1 wins in the Diana Stakes, Beverly D. Stakes, and Flower Bowl Invitational before finishing third in her Filly and Mare Turf defense.

Brant also campaigned Dunbar Road, winner of the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes in 2019, along with Grade 2 winner Homerique, Grade 3 winners Cafe Americano, Demarchelier, and Precieuse, and stakes winners Blowout and Fifty Five. Raging Bull, also a Grade 1 winner in 2018, was multiple Grade 1-placed in 2019.

Brant is also involved in breeding under the White Birch banner and is likely to increase his activity on that front. He plans to support his young stallion Demarchelier at Claiborne Farm, as that graded stakes winner becomes the first son of European standout Dubawi to stand in Kentucky. Brant’s recent additions to his broodmare band include Unaided, the dam of Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Uni, who he purchased in December in France.