Kris, leading English sire, retired

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Top English sire and two-time champion miler Kris retired from stud duty on Tuesday at age 26, according to The Racing Post.

Kris, the sire of English champion 3-year-old filly Oh So Sharp, was to retire after this season, but declining fertility prompted Plantation Stud in Newmarket, England, to stop his breeding career early. Kris will live out his days at Plantation, where he stood since 1995. He began his career at owner Lord Howard de Walden's Thornton Stud.

Kris established himself as a dominant miler while in trainer Henry Cecil's barn. A son of Sharpen Up, he won eight group stakes and retired with a career record of 16-14-2-0 and $419,995 in earnings. He was named England's top miler in 1979 and 1980.

The brilliant Oh So Sharp - winner of the English 1000 Guineas, St. Leger, and Epsom Oaks in 1985 - was not Kris's only outstanding representative. He also sired European champions Unite, Kozana, Hawajiss, Hasbah, and Common Grounds, as well as North American champion steeplechaser All Gong.