The victor of the Preakness Stakes, Journalism, will participate in races during the subsequent year prior to commencing his stud duties at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud, according to Aron Wellman from Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, a co-owner of the colt.
The determination to compete in 2026 was generally anticipated, particularly after Coolmore omitted mentioning Journalism in their announcement from November 4 that detailed the fees for their latest sires, including Citizen Bull, Fierceness, and Sierra Leone.
Journalism, a 3-year-old offspring of Curlin, was owned by Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, and Robert LaPenta until March, when Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, connected to Coolmore, became partners.
“Currently, our strategy is to allow him to rejuvenate at Bridlewood Farm situated in Ocala, and then bring him back to [trainer] Michael McCarthy near the commencement of the upcoming season. Our intention is to have him compete in an American campaign,” Wellman conveyed, while also mentioning that participating in overseas races hasn’t been completely discarded at this point.
Journalism, who secured three Grade 1 wins in 2025, is largely recognized as the second-best 3-year-old on dirt in North America. He comes second to Sovereignty, owned by Godolphin, who won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, and DraftKings Travers Stakes. Sovereignty is highly expected to receive the Eclipse Award for champion 3-year-old male, and is also a strong candidate for the prestigious Horse of the Year award. These championships will be declared at a ceremony in South Florida on January 22, which is two days before the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes on January 24.
Godolphin has not yet made an announcement regarding Sovereignty’s racing schedule for 2026. Despite being a valuable stallion prospect, events like the $12 million Dubai World Cup scheduled for March 28, could encourage his connections to keep him racing. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the founder of Godolphin, governs Dubai and established the Dubai World Cup.
Journalism, who finished fourth in his latest race at the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic held at Del Mar on November 1 and was beaten by 3 3/4 lengths, will compete against an older-horse division that has been reduced due to recent retirements in the upcoming year. While Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Forever Young is set to race in 2026, other participants will not. Sierra Leone (runner-up), Fierceness (third), and Mindframe (fifth)—all 4-year-olds in 2025—will be entering stud in the following year, with Mindframe heading to Claiborne Farm.
Forever Young, who is based in Japan, is predicted to commence his 2026 season by participating in the $20 million Saudi Cup in February.
Wellman elaborated on the decision to race Journalism at age 4 by stating that, “He has been bred, built, and designed to progressively improve as he matures. Throughout his rigorous campaign at the highest levels, he has consistently performed and adapted to various tracks. With three Grade 1 wins, including a classic win, his record is evident. We firmly believe that his full potential is still untapped. Our aim is to feature him on American soil, with the aspiration of winning major races and further elevating his already considerable value as a potential stallion.”
Journalism, trained in Southern California by McCarthy, has secured six victories, three second-place finishes, and one third-place finish across 11 starts, amassing earnings of $4,348,880. He won four out of eight races during the current year, earning $4,190,000. Five of his six career wins have been in graded stakes competitions.
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, led by Wellman as its president and founder, acquired Journalism in 2023 for $825,000 from the Denali Stud consignment at Fasig-Tipton’s The Saratoga Sale, held in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The Don Alberto Corporation bred Journalism from Mopotism, a multiple Grade 1-placed graded stakes winner, who Don Alberto acquired for $1.05 million at Fasig-Tipton’s November Sale in 2019 from Kingswood Farm’s consignment.
Mopotism passed away at the age of 11 in July, and Journalism represents her first of four foals.
