Top sprinter Jack Christopher retires to stud

Triple Grade 1 winner Jack Christopher has been retired from racing. The son of Munnings will stand at Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud at a fee of $45,000.

“Jack Christopher was an exceptional talent,” said his 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.”

A flashy chestnut like his sire Munnings, he went unbeaten around one turn, winning three times at the highest level over seven furlongs and a mile.

Jack Christopher's career began with an 8 3/4-length win in a six-furlong maiden special weight on Travers day at Saratoga. He stepped straight up to the top level for the 2021 Champagne Stakes (G1). Sent off the 8-5 favorite, he won by 2 3/4 lengths over a field that included Hopeful (G1) winner Gunite.

Though he was scratched from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in 2021, he trained on to remain at the top level at age three. Jack Christopher won the Pat Day Mile (G2), the Woody Stephens (G1), and the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1). His only career defeat came in the Haskell (G1), his lone two-turn try, where he stalked the pace, led midstretch, and finished third behind multiple Grade 1 winners Cyberknife and Taiba.

He was pre-entered to compete in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland on Saturday. However, Brown chose not to enter him in the final field, stating that it was out of concern that veterinarians would scratch him from the race due to his way of moving.

Jack Christopher is a son of Munnings, whose fee has risen from $20,000 to $100,000 in the past five years. He is out of the Half Ours mare Rushin No Blushin, a half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner and sire Street Boss.

“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.”