Coolmore America and the ownership group of Journalism announced July 24 that the 2025 Preakness Stakes winner and earner of over $4.7 million will be retired following an injury he sustained in the starting gate prior to the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 18, a race he won by three-quarters of a length.

Journalism broke last in the San Diego after a rough start and trailed the field, but rallied in the stretch to earn his sixth stakes win. Post-race evaluations revealed an injury and prompted his retirement. He will begin his stud career in 2027 at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in central Kentucky.

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.”

Journalism wins the 2025 Preakness Stakes. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Journalism met high expectations early in his career as a son of two-time Horse of the Year and Hall of Famer Curlin and out of the stakes-winning mare Mopotism, by Uncle Mo. He won the Los Alamitos Futurity at age 2 in 2024, the Preakness, NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, and San Felipe Stakes at age 3 last year, and the San Diego at age 4. He also finished second in the 2025 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, and Pacific Classic Stakes.

In his 14 starts, Journalism only finished out of the top three once, a fourth-place effort in last year’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic. He retires with a record of 7-3-3 and $4,770,755 in earnings.

Ashford Stud’s 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 co-owner 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.”