Champion was 30, retired at Kentucky Horse Park

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ / Press Release) – Two-time Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Da Hoss died on Sunday January 2 at Kentucky Horse Park where he retired after a distinguished five-year racing career. At the age of 30, the gelding died from old age infirmities.

Da Hoss had lived in Kentucky Horse Park since January 2000.

“Da Hoss will be sorely missed. He was a fan favorite because he proved that the mind can triumph over adversity, ”said Nicole Rivera, Acting Deputy Executive Director of Kentucky Horse Park. “I would like to especially thank Rob Willis and the Hall of Champions staff for the great care and affection they showed Da Hoss during his time here at the park.”

Son of Gone West, Jolly Saint, Da Hoss was born January 18, 1992. Wall Street Racing bought Gone West’s cheapest colt, Da Hoss, as a Keeneland September yearling for $ 6,000 that same year. After racing at the age of two for trainer Kevin Eikleberry and Wall Street Racing, an 85% stake in Da Hoss was sold to Prestonwood Farm. He was immediately sent to the Fair Hill Training Center to begin training with Michael Dickinson and Joan Wakefield.

Da Hoss is one of five horses to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile twice, and the only horse to win twice in non-consecutive years. Between the Breeders’ Cup races of 1996 and 1998, Da Hoss was injured three times and did not race for almost two years. His inspiring arrival in the 1998 Breeder’s Cup Mile produced one of Tom Durkin’s most memorable race calls, as he exclaimed: “The biggest comeback since Lazarus!

“He was our horse of a lifetime,” said trainer Michael Dickinson of Tapeta Farm. “We all loved him. He brought us so many ups, even with his issues we knew he would never let us down. He gave everything and loved to win. He was spoiled but deserved to be. He enjoyed hanging out in one of his grass fields with his best friend Boomer for two or three hours a day. He knew he was special. It was heartwarming to know that he was always well looked after by everyone at Kentucky Horse Park where he enjoyed a wonderful retirement.

Da Hoss shared the Kentucky Horse Park Hall of Champions with other champion horses including Thoroughbred Go For Gin, Funny Cide and Point Given, Standardbred Western Dreamer and Won the West leaders, and Standardbred trotter Mr. Muscleman.

Like the other Hall of Champions great horses who retired in the park, Da Hoss will be buried in the Memorial Walk of Champions.