Dual classic winner Big Brown retired

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes champion Big Brown has been retired after suffering an injury during a workout, his handlers said on Monday.

The top three-year-old in the U.S. hurt his right front hoof in a six-furlong session at the Aqueduct track in New York.

"Big Brown has been retired," Michael Iavarone, co-owner of IEAH Stables, told the website www.bloodhorse.com. "Half the foot was torn off, we did everything we could to get (him) to the Breeders' Cup (on October 25).

"It's devastating ... and what makes it even worse is that he worked great."

Big Brown had been expected to take on Horse of the Year Curlin in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic in one of the most highly anticipated races in years.

Kentucky-bred Big Brown, who won his first five starts, ends his career with seven trips to the winner's circle in eight races. He also won $3.6 million in prize money.

(Writing by Steve Ginsburg in Washington, editing by Tony Jimenez)