Mr. Big euthanized due to laminitis at 21

Mr. Big, one of the leading stallions in California in recent years, was euthanized Tuesday due to complications of laminitis, according to a statement released on behalf of owner George Krikorian.

Mr. Big was 21 and was standing at Legacy Ranch in Clements, Calif.

“I’m heartbroken,” Krikorian said in the statement. “Mr. Big was a very special horse.”

Through Tuesday, Mr. Big ranked sixth among California stallions in progeny earnings in 2024. He finished fourth in the standings in 2023 with progeny earnings of more than $3.3 million and was fifth in 2022 with earnings of $2.8 million.

Mr. Big, by Dynaformer, sired such runners as Big Score, a two-time stakes winner who earned $702,792; Ceiling Crusher, winner of the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Parx Racing last September; Big City Lights, winner of the Grade 3 Palos Verdes Stakes on Feb. 10 at Santa Anita; and Chancery Way, a four-time stakes winner throughout California in the last two years.

Krikorian bought Mr. Big for $220,000 as a weanling. On the track, Mr. Big won 2 of 9 starts racing in Southern California from 2007-10.

Mr. Big stood briefly in Kentucky before he was sent to California. Krikorian has actively supported the stallion.

“We have a lot of horses coming up by Mr. Big that have shown good potential,” he said in the statement.