Boundary, Sired Champion Big Brown, Dies

Boundary, sire of champion and dual classic winner Big Brown , was euthanized Feb. 4 at the Hancock family’s Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky., because of infirmities of old age. The 22-year-old son of Claiborne stallion Danzig was buried at the farm.

Boundary had resided as a pensioner at the farm since 2005. According to farm spokesman Bernie Sams, Boundary had been in good condition until the weekend.

Big Brown, his sire’s chief earner, won the 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) on his way to being voted champion 3-year-old male. Retired with earnings of $3,614,500, Big Brown entered stud at Robert N. Clay’s Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky. His first foals are 2-year-olds.

Boundary’s other leading runners include English and Irish champion 2-year-male Minardi and Saratoga grade I winner Pomeroy . Boundary also sired other graded winners American Border, Conserve, Lady Belsara, Roxelana, and Straight Line.

Boundary is represented by 26 stakes winners and the earners of more than $35 million.

Bred in Kentucky by Claiborne and William Haggin Perry’s The Gamely Corporation, Boundary was produced from the graded stakes-winning Damascus mare Edge. He initially raced for Perry and later raced for Mrs. Perry.

Trained by Bill Mott, Boundary won his first five starts including the 1994 Roseben Handicap (gr. III). He raced three times after the Roseben, winning the A Phenomenon Handicap (gr. III) at Saratoga over subsequent champion sprinter Cherokee Run and placing in the Tom Fool Stakes (gr. II) and the True North Handicap (gr. II). Boundary came out of the A Phenomenon with a bruised foot and was retired with a record of 6-1-1 from eight starts and earnings of $217,777. He entered stud at Claiborne in 1995.