LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 11, 2023) — 2001 Horse of the Year, Point Given, passed away peacefully on September 11 at 25 years old. In 2017, the champion Thoroughbred became a resident of the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions, making him the fifth Horse of the Year to occupy the famous barn.
“Point Given was a special horse, loved by all, and a wonderful ambassador for the Kentucky Horse Park,” said Kentucky Horse Park President Lee Carter. “We are saddened by his passing but grateful for the memories created and our time with the Big Red Train.”
Owned and bred by The Thoroughbred Corporation, and trained by Bob Baffert, the son of Thunder Gulch won six Grade 1 races, including two legs of the 2001 Triple Crown, the Preakness (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1). For his efforts, he received Eclipse Awards as Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Colt.
“Not only was Point Given a dual classic winning Hall of Famer, but he was also an excellent ambassador for horse racing and the state of Kentucky,” said Hall of Champions Supervisor Rob Willis. “He was a big stallion that was fun to be around. Countless visitors enjoyed being in his presence over the years. It was an honor to care for him during his retirement. His presence will be missed.”
Point Given, affectionately known as the “Big Red Train” due to his 17.1-hand height, earned $3,968,500 with nine wins and three second-place finishes from 13 starts. He was the first horse in history to win four $1 million races in a row, which included the Preakness Stakes (G1), the Belmont Stakes (G1), the Haskell Invitational Handicap (G1), and the Travers Stakes (G1) all under jockey Gary Stevens. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2010.
“I’m saddened to hear of Point Given’s passing,” said Gary Stevens. “He was, to me, the greatest horse to not win the Triple Crown. It was an honor to ride such a phenomenal horse. Rest in peace, PG.”
Point Given retired from racing in September 2001 to stand at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Ky. In 2013, he was relocated to Calumet Farm in Lexington, Ky., where he stood for five seasons before retiring to the Kentucky Horse Park. He sired over 30 stakes winners, including Canadian Horse of the Year, Sealy Hill.
Like other great Hall of Champions horses, Point Given will be buried at the park’s Memorial Walk of Champions alongside past Thoroughbred residents Funny Cide, Go For Gin, Forego, Bold Forbes, John Henry, Alysheba, and Da Hoss. A public memorial service will be held at a future date.