Charge It is retired to new stallion career at Gainesway Farm
Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm homebred Charge It, who is by Tapit, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Gainesway Farm for the 2025 breeding season.
The decision was announced Tuesday, more than seven weeks after the two-time graded-stakes winner was eased to finish last in the Whitney (G1) at Saratoga.
Charge It broke his maiden in January 2022 at Gulfstream Park by 8 1/2 lengths. He quickly proved he belonged with the best in his class when in his next start he ran second to future Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio in the Grade 1 Florida Derby.
Charge It stamped himself as a top class colt when he won the Dwyer Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park by an astounding 23 lengths and earned a career-best 111 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form. This Beyer was the highest figure achieved by any 3-year-old going a mile or less on dirt in 2022.
His campaign at 4 was led by another dominant victory, this time coming at a 1 1/4 miles in the Suburban Stakes (G2) where he drew away to win by 4 3/4 lengths. Charge It tied for the highest Beyer among all horses going 1 1/4 miles that year when he earned a 106.
“Winning any graded race by 23 lengths as Charge It did in the Dwyer takes an immensely talented horse. Charge It’s ability was at the Grade 1 level.” trainer Todd Pletcher said.
In total Charge It registered Beyers of 100 or higher on four occasions and was retired with four wins and earnings of $887,270.
Charge It hails from one of the most prominent and active families. He is bred on the same cross as 2022 horse of the year Flightline, being out of the Indian Charlie mare I’ll Take Charge, herself a $2.2 million yearling. Take Charge Lady is the second dam who is a multiple Grade 1 winner and was 2013 broodmare of the year.
Take Charge Lady is the dam of champion Will Take Charge and Grade 1 winners Take Charge Indy and As Time Goes By. She also is the granddam of champion Take Charge Brandi and Grade 1 winner Omaha Beach.
“Charge It is an exceptional looking horse that possessed brilliance,” Gainesway general manager Brian Graves said. “His pedigree is among the very best available to breeders.”
Charge It is currently available for inspection at Gainesway. A stud fee will be announced later.