Empire Stallions has announced that the mighty grey Jet Laag, the former world champion, million-dollar earner and a highly successful sire has been retired from stud duties.
The 1:49 son of Laag, who was first at the stud in Ohio, has stood in Victoria since 2001, where he enjoyed spectacular success as a sire. He produced almost 300 individual winners from 504 starters and they amassed $11.3 million in earnings for an average of $22,000 per starter.
Lombo Pocket Watch, the winner of three Derbies and a record $1.5 million, was undoubtedly his greatest performer.
Argent Treasure, winner of the WA Derby; the Australian Pacing Gold winner Hilton Fly High; Im Blue Double Dee (Mildura Cup); the WA feature race winners Smokey The Bandit, Alkira Jetstar, Deluxe Edition and La Mia Juliette; and The Stewardess were other good winners sired by Jet Laag.
In North America, Jet Laag sired the winners of nearly $8 million with 39 in 1:55 and 129 in 2:00.
Jet Laag, trained by top U.S. trainer Linda Toscano, won 44 races during his six-year career and $1,001,746 in purses. The crowning moment of his racetrack campaign was his win in the 1999 Senior Jug at Delaware’s half-mile track in a world record 1:49.
“Jet Laag has been a true champion both on the racetrack and in the breeding shed,” said David James, owner of Empire Stallions. “He is a loveable horse with a great personality. At age 23, we have decided that it is time for him to retire and enjoy his remaining years grazing in his favourite paddock. Jet has been a terrific sire here in Australia and his influence is sure to carry on for years to come.”
(With files from Empire Stallions)
A champion indeed and a well
A champion indeed and a well deserved retirement