Equine Obituary - UC Top Brass
Monday, March 23, 2015
Tony Lee and UC Top Brass had four winning seasons together.
UC Top Brass was born June 13, 1983 at the University of Connecticut. He was sired by UC Ringmaster and out of UC Fascination. He began his show ring career with his debut in 1987, winning Grand National Four-Year-Old Gelding under the ownership of Elaine Brazeau (Godsoe). The following year Elaine showed Brass in amateur pleasure driving and earned two Reserve Grand National titles.
In 1989, Bethany Godsoe and Brass made quite the pair winning the Junior Exhibitor Park Harness World Championship and the following year the Junior Exhibitor Park Saddle World Championship. Talented but also beautiful, Brass fared equally well in in hand competition winning the title of World Champion Gelding in 1991.
In late 1992 C. A. “Tony” Lee III purchased Top Brass and the team traveled across the country winning accolades in English Pleasure and Pleasure Driving competitions over the next four seasons. There were wins and reserves at Gold Cup, Dixie Cup, Michigan All Morgan, Jubilee, Southern States and Mid A, not to mention two Reserve Grand National titles in Amateur Pleasure Driving Gelding and the Grand National Champion in Amateur Pleasure Driving Gelding 15 Hands and Over in 1996.
UC Top Brass retired from the show ring in 1996 and Tony Lee and his niece Anna Redmill continued to care for him until his death.
“The barn just isn’t the same without him,” said Redmill. “Even well into retirement he kept the same energy and confidence as he did in the show ring. He absolutely knew how highly educated he was, having been taught by the best trainers in the Morgan industry and successful in so many divisions. We often referred to him as ‘Uncle Brass.’ He was an iconic role model for his much younger pasture mates as well as a great teacher and dear friend of the whole family.”
“I feel so fortunate to have owned and shown some very special Morgans,” added Lee. “Brass was truly one of those horses. His charisma and personality made him one of a kind. He was always playful, energetic and full of life under saddle or in harness. I have many great memories of showing him that stick with me today and will always pop into my mind from time to time for the rest of my life.”
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