‘He has his forever home’ – beloved stakes veteran Digger enjoys retired life in Tennessee

Mary Eddy/NYRA | DECEMBER 30, 2022 | Source: thoroughbredracing.com

USA: When a graded stakes-placed dark bay gelding named Digger crossed the finish line third in the 2011 Mister Diz at Pimlico, his connections knew it was time for the veteran of 39 starts to turn the page and look to a new life beyond the racetrack.

It was then that he was sent to New Vocations – a non-profit organization that retrains and rehomes retired racehorses – and adopted by Verena Brassfield to spend the rest of his days on a tranquil 600-acre farm in Tennessee.

“I’ve always had a thing for Thoroughbreds and I couldn’t ask for a better horse,” said Brassfield. “I had a Thoroughbred before him who passed away, and at first, I didn’t want another horse.

“But then someone gave my husband the website for New Vocations, and the first picture I saw was my baby. I said, ‘That’s him.’ A week after I applied, I got a call that I was approved.”

Stakes regular

Digger, a Maryland-bred son of Yonaguska, made his first outing as a juvenile in 2006 and graduated at fourth asking by an impressive 9½ lengths that December at Laurel Park. As a sophomore, he captured three more stakes at Laurel in the Deputed Testamony (by a dominating 11¾ lengths), the Northern Dancer and the Jennings Handicap to close out the year.

In 2008, Digger moved north to the NYRA circuit, where he scored a pair of victories at Belmont Park and Saratoga. The following year saw his greatest Empire State successes when he earned four victories at NYRA tracks, capping a productive campaign with a determined score for trainer Bruce Brown in the Gravesend, a black-type handicap at Aqueduct the day after Christmas

Ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Digger showed his typical front-running tactics before fending off a determined rival Pashito The Che by a nose.

Digger earned one more stakes victory to kick off his 2010 campaign with victory in Laurel Park’s Fire Plug, and visited the winner’s circle for the last time in March 2011 before owner Mike Repole and trainer Bruce Brown decided to retire him aged seven.

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