Multiple Grade 1 winner Journalism, the Preakness hero who won the San Diego Handicap despite a gate injury, has been retired and will stand at Ashford Stud. (Coolmore America Photo)
Coolmore America
Coolmore America and the ownership group of Journalism have today announced the retirement of the multiple Grade 1 winner following an injury sustained in the stalls prior to his victory in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar.
After anticipating the break early, Journalism was caught disadvantaged when the latch sprung, leaving the stalls five to six lengths behind the field. Sustaining an injury in the process, he showed his trademark toughness, circling the field wide and still powering home to victory. Post-race evaluations confirmed the injury and prompted retirement rather than risking his future.
Bred by Don Alberto Corporation and trained by Michael McCarthy, the son of Curlin is out of Mopotism, a Grade 2 winner and multiple Grade 1-placed daughter of Uncle Mo. Highly regarded from the beginning, Journalism capped his juvenile season with a victory in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity before establishing himself as a top-class sophomore with dominant victories in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes, and the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes.
A model of consistency at the highest level, he also produced outstanding
performances throughout the Triple Crown, finishing runner-up in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. In his fourteen starts, Journalism was never out of the first three home bar a fourth-place finish in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Reflecting on the decision, trainer Michael McCarthy said: “What Journalism did at Del Mar was the mark of a true champion. 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. He owes us absolutely nothing. 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.”
Welcoming Journalism to Ashford Stud, Charlie O’Connor said: “Journalism was everything you could hope for in a racehorse. He had exceptional talent, tremendous consistency, and an attitude that set him apart. To do what he did at Del Mar last weekend – overcoming adversity and an injury to win – proved once again what a warrior he is. He is an outstanding physical specimen with a world-class pedigree, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Ashford. We firmly believe he has all the qualities to become a top-tier sire.”
Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners added: “From the moment Meda Murphy broke him at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, through every stage of his development with Michael McCarthy, who did such a masterful job guiding him through his career, Journalism made it abundantly clear he breathed different air. He possessed every trait you could ever conjure up for an elite racehorse. Pedigree, physique, mechanics, speed, stamina, soundness, class, intelligence and courage…he had it all in spades.
Even though he dazzled us on so many occasions, never were all those superior qualities on display more so than in his unforgettable Preakness triumph, and it is only fitting he secured a Classic, as he epitomizes everything an American Classic Champion should. He gave us the ride of a lifetime, and we are excited to partner with Coolmore as he begins his next chapter.”
Journalism will now begin his stallion career at Ashford Stud where a stud fee will be announced in due course.
