Journalism to Continue in Training in 2026 Amid Classic-Scene Renewal

Preakness (G1) Winner to Stay in Training Under Michael McCarthy as Sovereignty, Fierceness, Sierra Leone, and Mindframe Leave a Void Among Stars

Journalism Poised to Be One of the Leading Stars of the 2026 Season / BREEDER'S CUP

DEL MAR, California (Special to Turf Diario) — The 3-year-old division in the United States will carry one of its brightest stars into another season. Journalism (Curlin—Mopotism, by Uncle Mo) will not be heading to stud just yet. The dark bay colt, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Bob LaPenta, and Elayne Stable Five, will continue racing through 2026 before beginning stallion duties at Ashford Stud, Coolmore’s U.S. base in Kentucky.

The news was confirmed by Aron Wellman, president of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, who explained: “Our plan is to give him a well-earned break at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, and then return him to training with Michael McCarthy early next season for a domestic campaign. We’re not ruling out an international start, but the main focus is to keep him racing at home.”

The decision, widely anticipated, became official after Coolmore announced its 2026 roster of new stallions—with Journalism notably absent. The son of Curlin, a three-time Grade I winner in 2025, wrapped up his season with a game fourth-place finish in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar, just 3 3/4 lengths behind Japan’s Forever Young (Real Steel).

“He’s bred and built to improve with age,” Wellman added. “He’s had a demanding campaign at the highest level, has always shown tremendous class, and we believe his best is still ahead. We want to showcase him again in the country’s top races and continue to enhance his value as a future stallion.”

Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism has compiled six wins from eleven starts, five of them in graded company, and career earnings exceeding US$4.3 million. In 2025, he went 4-3-0 from eight starts, highlighted by his authoritative victory in the GI Preakness Stakes, a performance that solidified his standing as the nation’s best dirt colt behind Triple Crown hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief).

The Godolphin star—winner of the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes, and GI Travers Stakes—is also expected to continue in training. Meanwhile, Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), Fierceness (City of Light), and Mindframe(Constitution), who finished second, third, and fifth in the Classic respectively, will all retire to stud. Forever Youngwill remain in competition, with the Saudi Cup (G1) as his first major target of 2026.

Journalism’s continued presence offers a welcome boost to the older horse division, which faces a near-total renewal after a grueling 2025 season.

A US$825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale graduate, bred by Don Alberto Corporation, Journalism has become the flagbearer for McCarthy’s barn and a symbol of consistency and class.

Looking ahead, the son of Curlin appears destined to be one of the defining figures of the 2026 season—and perhaps the main American challenger to Forever Young as the new international racing calendar begins.