'TDN Rising Star' and three-time Grade I winner Jack Christopher (Munnings–Rushin No Blushin, by Half Ours) has been retired from racing and will stand in 2023 alongside his sire at Coolmore's Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky. His introductory fee will be $45,000.
“We are delighted to have Jack Christopher now here at Ashford standing alongside his sire Munnings,” said Coolmore's Dermot Ryan. “He's a striking horse with great presence and a lovely temperament. Horses like him are what makes racing exciting to watch.”
Owned by the partnership of Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud, and Peter M. Brant, Jack Christopher debuted with an 8 3/4-length win at Saratoga at two and was immediately tabbed a 'Rising Star' off the performance. Sent next to the GI Champagne S. at Belmont, he scored by daylight again off 8-5 odds. Made the 9-5 morning-line favorite for last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar before being scratched the day prior to the race, Jack Christopher underwent a procedure and returned this spring on Derby Day with a comeback victory in the GII Pat Day Mile S. A blowout 10-length score in the GI Woody Stephens S. followed before his lone career loss–a third to Cyberknife (Gun Runner) in the GI Haskell S. in his first time stretching out–and finally a return to the winner's circle in his last start, the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. Jack Christopher retires with a record of 6-5-0-1 and earnings of $1,216,400. He was unbeaten around one turn.
“Jack Christopher was an exceptional talent,” said trainer Chad Brown. “I've never had a dirt horse with such brilliance. He never disappointed us in a workout or a race and was just a pleasure to train.”
From the family of Running Stag (Cozzene)–who was a MGSW in the U.S. and a GSW in France, in addition to being GISP in the U.S. and G1SP in Hong Kong–Jack Christopher is out of a half-sister to MGISW and sire Street Boss (Street Cry {Ire}).
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