Three times Grade 1 winner JACKSON has been retired to stud with immediate effect after a rather disappointing effort in the J&B Met. The five year old was the ante-post favourite for the race but never got really going in South Africa's premier Grade 1 over the 2.000 meter trip. Jackson will stand at Highlands Farm Stud under the Freeman Stallion banner. Bloodstock agent John Freeman said in a statement: "There is clearly something amiss and it appears to be internal, because we have done all the tests and he looked magnificent in the parade ring on Saturday [before the J&B Met]."
Jackson won three Grade 1's in his classic season, which brought him the reputation of being the clear favourite for South Africa's most important race - the Durban July. However Jackson failed that day, finishing down the field. Jackson added another Grade 1 to his tally as a four year old, when he won the Champagne Cup in excellent style. He seemed back to his best earlier this year when he finished a strong 2nd in the Queen's Plate, however something was wrong with him on Met day.
Jackson was an extremely good looking horse, with great character and the will to win. His trademark turn of foot from off the pace made him a very popular horse with racing fans. The decision to retire the son of Dynasty is the right one, since he has nothing left to prove and seemed to lack the sparkle of his old days in the Met. He'll be remembered for his biggest triumph, which came in the Cape Derby in 2012, when he defeated a certain Variety Club easily.
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