Chad Brown’s 2022 continues to cement his reputation as one of the top Thoroughbred coaches in the world.
Brown was the highest-earning coach in the United States for the year, coming in at $31,057,362, $574,425 more than Todd Pletcher. However, Brown hit his mark in 98 fewer starts.
Among his other accomplishments, Brown has won 244 — the most he has in a year; has the second highest number of finishers (176 in 2018); and his second highest earnings per startup with $33,685 ($37,803 in 2019).
The numbers he is most proud of are 51 and 18, which correspond to his graded bets and tier 1 win. 51x more classified bet wins than Pletcher, who is runner-up in that category.
Chad Brown and Steve Laymon walk in Goodnight Olive with Irad Ortiz Jr. after winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland
“It’s been a pretty smooth year,” Brown said. We’ve led the country not only in earnings but also in the number of times we’ve won first grade. “Class bet, to get past 50 grading shares in a year, it’s hard to do. It’s only been done a few times and we appreciate all the horses that contributed to that. Won many races and win with high rate.
“But arguably, grade 1 and graded stakes are really important metrics for really serving your clients. They give us these great horses to work with; proof is the results. So to be able to offer such a wide range of shares, it takes a lot of work from a lot of people and a lot of different skill sets to contribute—both people and horses, so I appreciate it. the fact that everyone worked together so well.”
His top four winning interns earned $110,000 for the year.
Brown’s success reflects the squad depth of the horses he trains. It also reflects the trust his clients have in him.
“Our clients are very confident that we can train any type of horse… For example, it looks like we will have two Eclipse champions: one on dirt track, the other on the field. So our team continues to demonstrate the flexibility of being able to train any type of horse: male, female, short, long, ages 2 to 6. I’m very proud of them.” I said.
Leading is Zandon ($1,385,500). The son of start won the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and then finished third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and finished in the top four three times in tier 1 action.
Next for Brown is regal glory , who banked $1,374,250. Via Animal Kingdom Regal Glory posted a trio of tier 1 wins—Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T), Just One Game Bets (G1T) and Matriarchal Bets (G1T).
Another person earning more than $1.3 million is the son of gunman , Vote early ($1,328,500), who won the Preakness Stakes (G1).
Chad Brown (left) and Jose Ortiz celebrate after winning the Preakness Stakes with Early Voting
Asking trainers to choose their favorite horse is like asking parents to choose their favorite foal. Along those lines, though, Brown said Early Voting’s Preakness victory was a standout moment for him.
“Winning Preakness on (Klaravich Stables’) birthday, where he grew up in Baltimore, where he grew up in Baltimore was not only the highlight of the year but also one of the highlights of the year,” Brown said. my personal career.” “My team and I were delighted to be able to send that memorable birthday present to him. We all planned and put in a lot of effort, and of course, Early Vote did the job. hard on race day and show up when it counts.”
The last of the top four is In Italy , who earned $1,274,683. The dubawi mares won both Diana Stocks (G1T) and First Lady Stocks (G1T).
How does Brown plan to build on his 2022 success? He hopes to do the same if he can, but Brown likens his coaching role to that of a college major football or basketball coach.
“Some (horses) are one and finished and some of them you can get four years out of them, but not likely more than that,” says Brown. “So you know that the players graduate to the next level, which our business is nurturing, and then you have to do some good recruiting work. You have to have the class. the next freshman comes in and has a trauma-free career, shows ability and doesn’t get busted. It’s very similar. So I’m out there on the hiring path and I’m spending my time doing it. what we can to contribute to our team, then my team takes what we recruit and tries to develop the players.”
In terms of the year’s position relative to other years for Brown, 2022 fits his 2019 campaign well.
During that year, Brown established his career with the highest earnings with $31,112,144; won 222 races despite having 99 fewer starts than in 2022; the aforementioned best earnings per start; fourth best total seconds (161); and his highest number of thirds (131).
To provide more statistical context for Brown’s 2022, consider his earnings per start ($33,685) to be the second best among those with 17 or more starts and the top among those with 17 or more starts. there are more than 200 starts. Overall, he’s fourth in firsts (Steve Asmussen, 382), eighth in seconds (Asmussen, 338), 11th in thirds (Asmussen and Karl Broberg, 271), ninth in number starts (Asmussen 594) and eighth in number of starts (Asmussen, 2,155).
Pletcher, second in earnings, has already made a personal mark in that category, outstripping his 2007 season by more than $2 million.
Todd Pletcher in the winner’s circle at Keeneland
His top performer is life is good who won the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), Whitney Stakes (G1) and Woodward Stakes (G1) en route to a $3,482,500 earnings.
Pletcher trainee Malathaat earn $2,055,675. Daughter of make for curly ended the year with three consecutive 1st place wins—Individual Stakes (G1), Juddmonte Spindle Stakes (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
Another child of Curlin—Nest —won the Ashland Stakes (G1), Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Alabama Stakes (G1), plus a second in the Belmont Stakes (G1). Nest earns $1,768,050 in 2022.
Also among Pletcher’s top earners is Forte for $1,595,150. The foal won all but one of her five races, taking home the Hopeful Stakes (G1), Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and the Juvenile Breeders’ Cup (G1) awards to close out her year.
Mo Donegal ($1,314,000) had a single win in 1st place in 2022, but it was a big win — Belmont Stakes (G1).
Rounding off the top five coaches by earnings for the year are Asmussen ($28,579,134), Brad Cox ($23,851, 590) and Bill Mott ($16,848,240).
