Dual Breeders' Cup Mile Winner Da Hoss Dies at 30

Two-time Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) winner Da Hoss died from infirmities of old age Jan. 2 at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he had retired after a successful five-year racing career. He was 30.

An earner of more than $1.9 million, Da Hoss had been living at the Kentucky Horse Park since January 2000, 14 months after his final race, a victory in the 1998 Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs.

"We will miss Da Hoss greatly. He was a fan favorite as he proved that spirit can triumph over adversity," said Nicole Rivera, interim deputy executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park. "I would like to extend a special thank you to 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."

By Gone West out of the Welsh Saint mare Jolly Saint, Da Hoss was a mere $6,000 purchase at auction, acquired by trainer Kevin Eikleberry from the 1993 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the consignment of his breeder, Fares Farm.

After a 3-for-3 campaign in Arizona as a 2-year-old for Eikleberry and Wall Street Racing, a controlling interest in Da Hoss was sold to Prestonwood Farm. He then was sent east to trainer Michael Dickinson and won the Best Turn Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack in 1995.

Although his early races came on dirt, it was on turf where his greatest accomplishments would eventually come, notably in the Breeders' Cup. He is one of only five horses to win the Breeders' Cup Mile twice, and the only horse to win twice in non-consecutive years.

Between the 1996 and 1998 Breeders' Cup Miles, Da Hoss was injured three times and did not race for nearly two years and he had just one start between those two victories. His inspiring finish in the 1998 Breeders' Cup Mile produced one of Tom Durkin's most memorable race calls, as he exclaimed: "The greatest comeback since Lazarus!"

"He was our horse of a lifetime," said Dickinson. "We all loved him. He brought us so many highs, even with his problems, we knew he would never let us down. He gave his all and loved to win. He was spoiled but deserved to be. He loved going out in one of his grass fields with his best friend Boomer for two or three hours every day. He knew he was special. It was comforting to know he was always well looked after by everyone at the Kentucky Horse Park where he enjoyed a wonderful retirement."

Da Hoss shared the Kentucky Horse Park Hall of Champions with other superstar horses including Thoroughbreds Go for Gin , Funny Cide , and Point Given , Standardbred pacers Western Dreamer and Won the West, and Standardbred trotter Mr. Muscleman.

Like the other great Hall of Champions horses that died in retirement at the park, Da Hoss will be buried in the Memorial Walk of Champions.