Chad Brown Dreams of the Perfect Farewell for Sierra Leone
- Turf Diario
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
The trainer will saddle the champion for the final time in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), where he’ll look to defend his crown
By Diego H. Mitagstein, special correspondent for Turf Diario in Del Mar, California
DEL MAR, California—Some farewells can be felt before they happen. For Sierra Leone, the champion whom Chad Brown calls “the best horse I’ve ever trained,” the days leading up to Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) carry both glory and nostalgia. It will be the final time the Gun Runner colt carries the colors of his prestigious owners before beginning his new life at stud—and his trainer knows it:
“You hate having to retire the best horse you’ve ever had. When one like him leaves, you can’t help but wonder if you’ll ever get another.”
The words, spoken with the calm confidence of a man who has won 19 Breeders’ Cup races and 171 Grade 1s, capture what Sierra Leone represents to the 46-year-old New York native. With more than $7 million in earnings and marquee victories in the Travers Stakes (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Whitney (G1), the dark bay owned by Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook T. Smith has already secured his place in the modern history of American racing.
“He’s truly a rare horse, a special one,” Brown continued. “That’s the bittersweet part. The sweet part is knowing he’s heading to the best stud farm in the world, where he’ll be treated like a king and given every chance to succeed in his second career. He’ll be safe—and for a horse who meant so much to us, that’s what matters most.”
Purchased for $2.3 million at the 2022 Saratoga Select Sale, Sierra Leone arrived with enormous expectations—and not only met them but exceeded them. In 13 starts, he’s gone off at higher than 2-1 just twice, consistently among the public’s and pundits’ top choices. His record reflects quality and consistency: three Grade 1 wins and only one finish outside the top two.
Not known for sentimentality, Brown admits this horse has left a lasting impression:
“He made me realize that even after all these years competing at this level, there’s always something new to learn. With him, I learned more about handling pressure, about how the smallest adjustments can make the biggest difference. He made me a better trainer.”
Already regarded among the elite conditioners of his era, Brown feels his team achieved something complete with Sierra Leone.
“He never missed a beat—always healthy, always whole, performing under constant scrutiny from fans and media. That fills me with pride and gratitude. We did everything possible to have him ready every single time, and I believe we did just that.”
The Breeders’ Cup Classic will mark the end of Sierra Leone’s racing journey—a story crafted with patience, precision, and brilliance. He leaves the stage just as he graced it: with elegance, power, and a commanding presence.
And though Brown faces the farewell with a touch of melancholy, he does so knowing few trainers ever get a horse like this.
“He’s going exactly where he deserves to be,” Brown concluded. “And I can rest easy knowing we gave him every chance to be the best version of himself.”
