Journalism was an owner's dream, a multiple Grade 1 winner who finished out of the top three only once, won seven of 14 starts and earned more than $4.7 million. His only “bad” race was running fourth in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).
Coolmore America and the 4-year-old colt's ownership group announced Friday that the son of Curlin was being retired because of an undisclosed injury suffered leaving the gate July 18 in the San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar.
Despite spotting the field five or six lengths, Journalism recovered and flashed his trademark closing punch, circling the field to win by three-quarters of a length as the 1-5 favorite.
“What Journalism did at Del Mar was the mark of a true champion,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “To suffer an injury in the gate, give away that much ground, and still win purely on heart and class tells you everything you need to know about him.
“While it's tough to see his racing career end this way, protecting him is our top priority, and he goes to stud at the top of his game.”
His remarkable rally to win his final race was reminiscent of his most compelling victory, the 2025 Preakness Stakes (G1). That day at Pimlico Journalism seemed hopelessly bottled up in midstretch before forcing his way out. At the eighth pole he still seemed to have no chance to beat longshot Gosger, but he overcame a five-length deficit to win by a half-length.
“Even though he dazzled us on many occasions, never were all those qualities on display more than in his unforgettable Preakness triumph,” said co-owner Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. “He gave us the ride of a lifetime.”
Journalism was an exceptionally good horse, yet unfortunately he also will be remembered for coming up short against Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Belmont Stakes (G1) and to international superstar Forever Young in the Classic. That's what happens when expectations are so high. Journalism's sole shortcoming was his inability to defeat either of the best horses he ever faced.
He also won last year's $1 million Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park and Santa Anita Derby (G1).
He will begin his stallion career next spring at Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky, with a breeding fee to be named later.
“He is an outstanding physical specimen with a world-class pedigree, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Ashford,” executive Charlie O'Connor said. “We firmly believe he has all the qualities to become a top-tier sire.”
Ed McNamara is an award-winning racing writer who has covered the sport since 1981 for The Bergen (N.J.) Record, Newsday, ESPN, Thorocap, and USRacing. He is the author of Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown and Racing Around the World, and a contributor to The Most Glorious Crown and The Racetracks of America. He has also written for racing publications in France and Italy.
