Willis Horton's Take Charge Brandi (Giant's Causeway–Charming, by Seeking the Gold), last year's champion juvenile filly, has been retired from racing. The 3-year-old filly has been sent to Hill 'n' Dale Farm while connections decide on breeding or auction plans.
“You hate to see a champion retire, but it was the right thing to do,” said trainer D. Wayne Lukas. “This family has been so good to me and Willis Horton. Take Charge Brandi was supremely talented and determined.”
Tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' after her debut win at Churchill Downs, Take Charge Brandi shocked the field in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, scoring a front-running victory at 61-1. She added the GIII Delta Downs Princess S. a few weeks later and cemented her championship with a determined victory in the GI Starlet.
“I almost ran her in the GI Los Alamitos Futurity the week after the Starlet and think she would have been very tough to beat,” Lukas revealed. “She reminds me of Serena's Song in her determination and natural ability. She is the complete package and has everything you look for in a great broodmare prospect.”
Take Charge Brandi, whose second dam is broodmare of the year Take Charge Lady (Dehere), is out of a half-sister to Horton's champion sophomore Will Take Charge (Unbridled's Song), as well as Grade I winner Take Charge Indy (A.P. Indy). She is a half-sister to Take Charge Tressa (War Front), who topped last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale with Horton's winning bid of $1.25 million.
“She was a great champion and we just ran out of time making the Breeders' Cup again,” said Horton. “She owns the best pedigree in the stud book and loved to win races. The family has been great to me, owning champion Will Take Charge, and we are very high on her half-sister Take Charge Tressa.”
On the board in six of 11 starts, Take Charge Brandi retires with five wins and earnings of $1,692,126.
A decision on whether the filly will be bred or offered at the Keeneland November sale will be made in the coming weeks.
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