International Equine Acquisitions Holdings has sold all 11 of its shares in champion and dual classic winner Big Brown to a group that includes Robert N. Clay's Three Chimneys Farm. Eight-year-old Big Brown stands at Three Chimneys near Midway, Ky.
"IEAH was in a position where they wanted to make a sale, and Three Chimneys and shareholders thought it was an opportunity to increase their position in the stallion because he has been doing so well," said Jamie LaMonica, who brokered the deal in the name of The Stallion Company. "The deal gives Three Chimneys and partners a little more control over the syndicate and the direction they want the horse to follow."
Big Brown (Boundary—Mien, by Nureyev) enjoyed a solid season in 2012 as a first-crop sire. He was represented by 17 winners and the earners of more than $700,000. The group included stakes winner Brown Almighty, who was graded stakes-placed at Keeneland, and additional stakes-placed runner Brown Laddie.
IEAH acquired an interest in Big Brown after he made his first start. Big Brown ended up with a career record of seven wins from eight starts, including scores in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), Preakness Stakes (gr. I), and two other grade I stakes.
Big Brown's 2013 fee is $35,000.