Curlin
Curlin (foaled March 25, 2004, in Kentucky) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was named American Horse of the Year in both 2007 and 2008, becoming the fifth horse to win the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year in consecutive years.[1][2] Sired by Smart Strike and out of the mare Sherriff's Deputy, Curlin raced from 2007 to 2008, securing 11 victories in 16 starts and amassing career earnings of $10,501,800, a North American record at the time of his retirement.[3][4] His dominant performances included wins in prestigious races such as the Preakness Stakes, Breeders' Cup Classic (twice), and Dubai World Cup, establishing him as one of the most accomplished horses of his era.[5] Following his racing career, Curlin transitioned to stud duty and has proven exceptionally successful as a sire, producing multiple Breeders' Cup champions and Eclipse Award winners, including Good Magic, Vino Rosso, and Essential Quality. As of 2025, his stud fee stands at $225,000, reflecting his ongoing influence as a leading sire.[6][7] In 2014, he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, recognizing his impact on Thoroughbred racing both on the track and in breeding.[1] Owned by Stonestreet Stables and Midnight Cry Stables, among others, and trained initially by Helen Pitts and later by Steve Asmussen, Curlin's legacy endures through his descendants and the annual Curlin stakes races named in his honor.[2][7]Background and Pedigree
Background
Curlin, a prominent American Thoroughbred racehorse, was foaled on March 25, 2004, at Fares Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.[3][8] The farm, owned by Lebanese businessman Issam Fares, served as the breeding operation responsible for producing the colt.[9][10] Curlin was sired by the accomplished stallion Smart Strike, a son of Mr. Prospector renowned for his influence in producing high-quality performers on dirt surfaces, out of the mare Sherriff's Deputy, herself by Deputy Minister.[11][8] This breeding pairing reflected Fares Farm's strategy to combine proven speed and stamina lines in pursuit of competitive Thoroughbred stock.[12] The colt's name originated from Charles Curlin, an enslaved African American from Kentucky who enlisted in the Union Army's Colored Troops during the American Civil War, a choice made by his initial owners, Kentucky attorneys William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr., whose family history connected to the soldier.[12][1][9] This naming decision honored a figure of resilience and service, setting a distinctive tone for the horse's early identity before his racing prominence.[13]Pedigree
Curlin is a chestnut Thoroughbred colt bred in Kentucky by Fares Farm Inc. His sire was the leading stallion Smart Strike, a bay horse foaled in 1992, known for imparting both speed from his sire line and stamina to his progeny.[14][15] Smart Strike himself was sired by the influential Mr. Prospector (foaled 1970), a cornerstone of modern Thoroughbred breeding whose descendants are renowned for blending precocity and class, often excelling at middle distances.[16] On the dam side of Smart Strike, Classy 'n Smart (foaled 1981), a Canadian champion, contributed Northern Dancer influences that enhanced endurance, allowing Smart Strike's offspring to perform well as they matured over longer trips.[17] Curlin's dam, Sherriff's Deputy, was an unraced bay mare foaled in 1994 from a pedigree featuring speed and versatility.[18] She was sired by Deputy Minister (foaled 1979), a Canadian Hall of Famer and champion sprinter-miler whose progeny often displayed quick acceleration and were highly successful as sires and broodmares. Sherriff's Deputy's dam, Barbarika (foaled 1985), added depth from lines including Bates Motel, a Breeders' Cup Mile winner, creating a family noted for producing stakes performers despite the mare's own lack of racing starts.[19] Beyond Curlin, Sherriff's Deputy was the dam of seven foals that raced, producing three winners in total. Other notable foals include her unplaced full brother Deputy Striker (foaled 2009, by Smart Strike). She died in 2012 from complications of laminitis.[20][21] The following table outlines Curlin's immediate pedigree:| Relation | Horse Name | Foaled | Color | Sire | Dam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self | Curlin | 2004 | Chestnut | Smart Strike | Sherriff's Deputy |
| Sire | Smart Strike | 1992 | Bay | Mr. Prospector | Classy 'n Smart |
| Dam | Sherriff's Deputy | 1994 | Bay | Deputy Minister | Barbarika |
| Sire's Sire | Mr. Prospector | 1970 | Bay | Raise a Native | Gold Digger |
| Sire's Dam | Classy 'n Smart | 1981 | Chestnut | Smarten | No Class |
| Dam's Sire | Deputy Minister | 1979 | Dark Bay/Brown | Vice Regent | Mint Copy |
| Dam's Dam | Barbarika | 1985 | Bay | Bates Motel | War Exchange |
Ownership History
Initial Ownership
Curlin, a chestnut colt foaled in 2004 from the Smart Strike mare Sheriff's Deputy, was consigned to the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by breeder Fares Farm and purchased for $57,000 by Midnight Cry Stable, the racing operation of Kentucky attorneys William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr..[23] Despite his promising pedigree—featuring graded stakes-winning black-type on both sides of his pedigree—the modest sale price reflected buyer concerns over a cosmetic blemish on his eye, which was later determined to be harmless.[24] Following the yearling purchase, Gallion and Cunningham formed an ownership syndicate by selling an 80% interest in Curlin to a group comprising Stonestreet Stables (owned by Jess Jackson), Padua Stables (owned by Satish Sanan), and investor George Bolton, retaining a 20% share through Midnight Cry Stable; the transaction, reportedly valued at $3.5 million, occurred in February 2007, shortly before the colt's racing debut under trainer Helen Pitts' supervision.[25][26] This structure established the initial collaborative ownership framework, with the syndicate leveraging the partners' resources for the colt's development while keeping Midnight Cry as a key stakeholder.[26] Under the syndicate's arrangement, Curlin was placed in the care of trainer Helen Pitts, who handled his early preparation at age two without entering him in any races, allowing the unraced juvenile to mature physically before his three-year-old campaign.[26] Pitts, previously an assistant to bloodstock agent Ken McPeek, focused on building the colt's foundation, noting his impressive movement and potential during routine training sessions.[9]Ownership Changes
In November 2007, following the buyout of Padua Stables' interest by Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton, and in December 2007, Stonestreet's subsequent purchase of Bolton's share, Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables acquired full control of the 80% syndicate interest.[27][28] The remaining 20% interest held by Midnight Cry Stables became embroiled in legal disputes stemming from a fraud case against its principals, attorneys William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr., who had been sued by over 400 clients from a fen-phen diet drug class-action settlement. In November 2007, a Kentucky judge ruled that the clients were entitled to the 20% stake as restitution for the attorneys' misconduct in distributing settlement funds, effectively transferring control of that portion to a receivership on behalf of the plaintiffs.[29][30] Gallion and Cunningham were later convicted in 2009 on federal charges related to the scam, leading to asset seizures including their equine interests.[31] Efforts by Stonestreet Stables to acquire the disputed 20% share faced court opposition. In December 2008, a Kentucky judge rejected Jackson's $4 million offer to buy it outright, preserving the split ownership structure.[32] A similar proposal was denied in November 2010 by a Franklin County Circuit Court, again favoring the maintenance of divided interests amid the ongoing restitution proceedings.[33] The resolution came in May 2015, when the 20% share—seized as part of the federal forfeiture from Gallion and Cunningham's convictions—was auctioned through the U.S. Department of Justice, fetching $6.22 million to buyers Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings Inc. and Elevage II LLC.[34] Stonestreet Stables, under Barbara Banke following Jess Jackson's death in 2011, retained its 80% majority stake, granting it primary influence over Curlin's breeding and stud career decisions into the late 2010s and beyond.[35][36]Racing Career
2007 Season
Curlin began his racing career as a three-year-old with an impressive debut on February 3, 2007, at Gulfstream Park in Florida, where he won a seven-furlong maiden special weight race by 12¾ lengths under jockey Robby Albarado, trained initially by Helen Pitts-Blasi. This dominant performance prompted a swift ownership change, as the colt was sold privately to a partnership led by Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables, Padua Stables, and George Bolton shortly after the race. Moved to trainer Steve Asmussen's barn, Curlin continued his winning streak in his next start, the Grade 3 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 17, prevailing by 5¼ lengths over a field that included future stakes performers. He followed with a stunning victory in the Grade 2 Arkansas Derby on April 14 at the same track, setting a record margin of 10½ lengths in the 1⅛-mile test and solidifying his status as a top Kentucky Derby contender. In the Triple Crown series, Curlin showed resilience despite facing established rivals. On May 5 at Churchill Downs, he finished third in the Kentucky Derby, 5¾ lengths behind winner Street Sense (3½ lengths behind runner-up Hard Spun) after a troubled trip that included early interference. Returning two weeks later for the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 19, Curlin staged a dramatic late rally from off the pace to edge Street Sense by a head in a final-time of 1:53.46, securing his first Grade 1 victory and halting the Derby winner's bid for racing immortality. Although he placed second in the Belmont Stakes on June 9, losing by a head to filly Rags to Riches on the 1½-mile distance, Curlin's Triple Crown efforts highlighted his versatility and closing ability against elite competition. After a summer layoff, during which he finished third in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 29, Curlin returned strongly in the autumn. On September 30 at Belmont Park, he nosed out Lawyer Ron in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, a key prep that boosted his earnings toward record territory. Curlin culminated his breakthrough season with a powerful win in the Breeders' Cup Classic on October 27 at Monmouth Park, over a sloppy track, by 4½ lengths over Hard Spun while Awesome Gem finished third in the $5 million event; this triumph, his third Grade 1 score of the year, clinched the Eclipse Award for Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse and the American Horse of the Year title. In total, Curlin competed in nine races during 2007, securing six victories, one second-place finish, and two thirds, while amassing earnings exceeding $4.2 million.2008 Season
Curlin began his four-year-old campaign with a dominant performance in the United Arab Emirates, winning the Jaguar Trophy Handicap on February 28, 2008, at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse as a preparatory race for the Dubai World Cup. On March 29, 2008, he captured the $6 million Dubai World Cup (G1) by a record 7¾ lengths over Asiatic Boy, earning $3.5 million and elevating his career earnings to $8,807,800, which placed him third on the North American all-time list at the time. This victory marked the richest purse in horse racing history up to that point and showcased Curlin's international prowess on the dirt surface at Nad Al Sheba. Returning to the United States, Curlin demonstrated continued maturity in high-level competition. On June 14, 2008, he won the $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs by 4¼ lengths while carrying 128 pounds, the highest weight assigned, securing $589,000 and extending his winning streak to five races. After a brief foray on turf where he finished second in the Man o' War Stakes (G1) on July 13 at Belmont Park, Curlin returned to dirt and prevailed in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on August 30 by 1¼ lengths over the 40-1 longshot Past the Point. He followed with a hard-fought three-quarter-length victory in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (G1) at Belmont Park on September 27, pushing his career earnings past the $10 million milestone and making him the highest-earning horse in North American history at that juncture. Curlin's campaign concluded at the Breeders' Cup on October 25, 2008, at Santa Anita Park, where he finished fourth in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), beaten by 3¾ lengths after a wide trip on the synthetic Pro-Ride surface; Raven's Pass won the race in a track-record 1:59.27. Following this effort, majority owner Jess Jackson announced Curlin's retirement on November 15, 2008, stating the horse would transition to stud duty in 2009 without further racing. Despite the final defeat, Curlin's 2008 season featured seven starts with five wins and one second, contributing significantly to his career record of 11 wins, two seconds, and two thirds from 16 starts for total earnings of $10,501,800. His accomplishments earned him a second Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year in January 2009, along with Champion Older Male Horse honors.Statistics and Honors
Racing Statistics
Curlin competed in 16 races over two seasons, achieving 11 wins, 2 second-place finishes, and 2 third-place finishes, for a win rate of 69%. His career earnings totaled $10,501,800, making him the leading money earner in North American racing history at the time of his retirement.[3] Of his 11 victories, 9 were in graded stakes races, including 7 at the Grade 1 level such as the Preakness Stakes, Dubai World Cup, Breeders' Cup Classic, Jockey Club Gold Cup (twice), Stephen Foster Handicap, and Woodward Stakes, along with Grade 2 and Grade 3 wins in the Arkansas Derby and Rebel Stakes, respectively.[3][1]| Date | Race Name | Track | Distance | Finish Position | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 3, 2007 | Allowance Optional Claiming | Gulfstream Park | 7 furlongs | 1st | Rafael Bejarano |
| Mar 17, 2007 | Rebel Stakes (G3) | Oaklawn Park | 1 1/16 miles | 1st | Robby Albarado |
| Apr 14, 2007 | Arkansas Derby (G2) | Oaklawn Park | 1 1/8 miles | 1st | Robby Albarado |
| May 5, 2007 | Kentucky Derby (G1) | Churchill Downs | 1 1/4 miles | 3rd | Robby Albarado |
| May 19, 2007 | Preakness Stakes (G1) | Pimlico | 1 3/16 miles | 1st | Robby Albarado |
| Jun 9, 2007 | Belmont Stakes (G1) | Belmont Park | 1 1/2 miles | 2nd | Robby Albarado |
| Aug 4, 2007 | Haskell Invitational (G1) | Monmouth Park | 1 1/8 miles | 3rd | Robby Albarado |
| Sep 30, 2007 | Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) | Belmont Park | 1 1/4 miles | 1st | Robby Albarado |
| Oct 27, 2007 | Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) | Monmouth Park | 1 1/4 miles | 1st | Robby Albarado |
| Feb 28, 2008 | Jaguar Trophy Handicap | Nad Al Sheba | 1 1/4 miles | 1st | Robby Albarado |
| Mar 29, 2008 | Dubai World Cup (G1) | Nad Al Sheba | 1 1/4 miles | 1st | Robby Albarado |
| Jun 14, 2008 | Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) | Churchill Downs | 1 1/8 miles | 1st | Robby Albarado |
| Jul 13, 2008 | Man o' War Stakes (G1) | Belmont Park | 1 3/8 miles | 2nd | Robby Albarado |
| Aug 30, 2008 | Woodward Stakes (G1) | Saratoga | 1 1/8 miles | 1st | Robby Albarado |
| Sep 27, 2008 | Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) | Belmont Park | 1 1/4 miles | 1st | Robby Albarado |
| Oct 25, 2008 | Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) | Santa Anita Park | 1 1/4 miles | 4th | Robby Albarado |