Chad C. Brown (born December 18, 1978) is an American racehorse trainer. Brown was born and raised in Mechanicville, New York.
Saratoga Race Course
His passion for horses began at an early age, sparked by family visits to the nearby Saratoga race track. During high school, Brown gained hands-on experience with Standardbreds at Saratoga Raceway, where he learned the intricacies of breaking and training horses.
While pursuing a degree in animal science at Cornell University, with the goal of becoming a veterinarian, Brown took a summer job with Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey. Starting as a hot-walker, he quickly advanced to a groom, before earning the role of foreman. Brown credits Frankel's training methods, particularly his focus on each horse's unique strengths, as the foundation of his future success.
Early Career and Breakthroughs
In 2007, Brown gained national attention at the Breeders' Cup, when he stepped in for Frankel, who could not be at the races, saddling Ginger Punch to victory in the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Shortly after, Brown established his own stable with a small string of ten horses, including those owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey and Gary and Mary West.
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In 2009, Brown won his first New York Racing Association training title at the Aqueduct Racetrack fall meet. In 2010, Brown saddled 17 winners at Saratoga Race Course finishing third in the standings.
In 2011, Brown won his first career Grade I race with the French-bred mare Zagora in the Diana Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Just two weeks later, he secured his second Grade I victory with Stacelita, in the Beverly D. The following year, 2012, Zagora won several major stakes, including the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf.
Major Wins and Accolades
Brown took over the training of Juddmonte Farm's Flintshire in 2016, who then won the Manhattan Stakes (G1) in his first start under Brown. On August 24 at Saratoga, Brown earned his 1,000th career win with Mr.
Brown won his first Triple Crown race in 2017 with Cloud Computing in the Preakness Stakes, an upset victory at odds of 13:1. Later that year, Good Magic captured the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the Eclipse Award for Champion Two Year Old Colt. Additionally, Lady Eli who recovered from a severe case of laminitis under Brown's care, became the Champion Turf Female.
These successes and 16 other Grade I wins led to his second Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer. Brown dedicated Cloud Computing's Preakness Stakes win to Frankel, stating that, "I feel this is for him..."
Read also: Chad Q. Brown: His life and career
In 2018, Brown had 20 Grade 1 victories and 47 graded wins overall, earning $27,546,057. At the Breeders' Cup, Newspaperofrecord won the Juvenile Fillies Turf and Sistercharlie triumphed in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, Brown's fourth win in that specific race, the most by any trainer.
Brown set a North American record in 2019 with $31,112,144 in earnings, the highest ever for a trainer in a single year. His achievements included three more Breeders' Cup victories, bringing his career total to fifteen, placing him third all-time among trainers.
Brown won his second Preakness Stakes in 2022 with Early Voting. In the fall, Brown increased his total Breeders' Cup wins to 16. He won his eighth consecutive year-end NYRA training title, and was ranked number one in the North America Training rankings, leading the United States in earnings with a total of $31,057,362, with 244 wins, and 51 Graded Stakes victories.
In 2024, Brown won his fifth Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer in the United States as well as winning the American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse with Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone was part of a dramatic three-way photo finish in Kentucky Derby, finishing second, and won the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Trainer Chad Brown Talks BALLERINA D'ORO in the Kentucky Oaks
Achievements and Statistics
Chad Brown's career is marked by numerous awards, records, and significant wins. Here is a summary of some of his key achievements:
Read also: The Life of Chad Everett Harris
| Achievement | Year |
|---|---|
| First NYRA Training Title | 2009 |
| First Grade I Race Win (Zagora) | 2011 |
| 1,000th Career Win | 2016 |
| First Triple Crown Race Win (Cloud Computing, Preakness Stakes) | 2017 |
| North American Record for Earnings ($31,112,144) | 2019 |
| Fifth Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer | 2024 |
Lady Eli
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