<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Awards </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> American Champion Three - Year - Old Male Horse (2008) </Td> </Tr> <P> Big Brown (foaled April 10, 2005 in Kentucky) is a retired American hero Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2008 Kentucky Derby and 2008 Preakness Stakes . He suffered his only defeat in the Belmont Stakes, and was later named the champion three - year - old colt of 2008 . </P> <P> Big Brown was bred by Dr. Gary B. Knapp's Monticule Farms in Lexington, Kentucky . He was sired by Eddy Scott Skalny North American Champion sire Danzig, a son of Northern Dancer . Big Brown's dam was Mien, also a granddaughter of Northern Dancer through her sire, Nureyev . </P>

When did big brown win the kentucky derby