Da Big Hoss retired to stud in Ohio

Da Big Hoss, a Grade 2 winner and multiple course record holder, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Poplar Creek Horse Center in Bethel, Ohio, for the 2018 breeding season, where he will stand for a private fee.

The 7-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid finished his career with 12 wins in 22 starts for earnings of $1,551,696. Excelling at long-distance turf races, his victories include the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes, two editions of the Grade 3 Kentucky Turf Cup, the Grade 3 American St. Leger Stakes, the Grade 3 John B. Connally Turf Cup, the Belmont Gold Cup Invitational, and the John’s Call Stakes.

He owns track records for two miles on turf at Belmont Park and 1 1/2 miles on turf at Sam Houston Race Park.

Da Big Hoss is unraced since November 2016. He returned to the work tab in January after a nine-month layoff for three timed workouts at Gulfstream Park before the decision was made to retire him.

“He came up with a little tendon issue,” said Robin Murphy of Poplar Creek Horse Center. “He’s going to be fine, but he’s 7 years old, and having a spot for him to retire, that’s the best thing for him. He’s proven himself.”

Bred in Kentucky by Gary and Mary West, Da Big Hoss is out of the winning Touch Gold mare Lady Struck Gold, who is the dam of five winners from six foals to race.

His extended family includes French Group 1 winner Lope de Vega; U.S. Grade 2 winners Lady Blessington and Gotta Have Her; French Group 3 winners Lowell, Prospero, Lady Vettori, Lady Frankel, and Bal de la Rose; German Group 3 winner Real Value; and Saudi Arabian champion Water Queen.