Legendary Curlin: The Racehorse Who Redefined Success in American Racing

Curlin stands as one of the most remarkable American Thoroughbred racehorses of the 21st century, celebrated for his exceptional racing career, record-breaking earnings, and influential stud legacy.

Foaled on March 25, 2004, this chestnut colt was sired by Smart Strike, a Canadian-bred stallion known for outstanding dirt performances and being a leading sire in North America.

Curlin’s dam was Sherriff’s Deputy, whose sire, Deputy Minister, was a champion two-year-old and influential broodmare sire.

This pedigree, blending American and Canadian bloodlines, laid a strong foundation for Curlin’s success on the track and later as a sire.

But it’s the story off the track, involving his owners, that will also go down in history!

Triple Crown Campaign and Classic Wins

Curlin’s racing career began relatively late, as he did not race at two years old, a rarity in top-level Thoroughbred racing.

His debut came in February 2007 at Gulfstream Park, where he won impressively by 12¾ lengths, immediately marking him as a horse to watch.

He quickly followed this with dominant wins in the Rebel Stakes (G3) and the Arkansas Derby (G1), the latter by over ten lengths, showcasing his stamina and speed over middle distances.

Entering the 2007 Kentucky Derby as a 7-2 favorite, Curlin faced the historical “Curse of Apollo,” a superstition that no horse who had not raced at two had won the Derby since Apollo in 1882.

Curlin finished a strong third behind Street Sense and Hard Spun, maintaining his status as a top contender despite the Derby loss.

Two weeks later, he reversed the form by winning the Preakness Stakes, defeating Street Sense and asserting his dominance among his generation.

In the Belmont Stakes, Curlin narrowly lost by a head to the filly Rags to Riches, who made history as the first filly to win the Belmont in over a century.

Curlin’s 2007 season culminated with a commanding victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, where he defeated a strong field including Hard Spun and Street Sense.

This win cemented his reputation as the best three-year-old of his year and earned him the Eclipse Award for American Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Male, with overwhelming support from voters.

Continued Success and Records in 2008

As a four-year-old, Curlin continued to build on his legacy. His 2008 campaign began with a spectacular win in the Dubai World Cup, where he triumphed by 7¾ lengths and earned a $6 million purse, one of the richest in the world at the time.

Jockey Robby Albarado famously described Curlin as “like a limousine,” highlighting the horse’s smooth and powerful running style.

Back in the United States, Curlin secured victories in prestigious Grade 1 races including the Stephen Foster Handicap, Woodward Stakes, and a repeat win in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, becoming the first back-to-back winner of that race since Skip Away 11 years earlier.

Despite finishing fourth in his final race, the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic on a synthetic surface, Curlin’s overall achievements earned him a second consecutive Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male.

By the time of his retirement in late 2008, Curlin had compiled a record of 16 starts with 11 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds, amassing career earnings of $10,501,800, making him the highest North American money earner at that time.

Trainer and Ownership

Curlin was initially trained by Helen Pitts but was transferred to Steve Asmussen early in his three-year-old season.

Asmussen, one of North America’s leading trainers, guided Curlin through his peak years, including his Triple Crown campaign and international success.

As for his ownership, well, that’s a crazy story all by itself.

He was purchased as a yearling for just $57,000 at the Keeneland sale in 2005 by two class-action lawyers, William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr., who operated as Midnight Cry Stable.

His first win at Gulfstream Park was so jaw-dropping that it triggered a frantic bidding war.

By the very next day, a high-powered partnership led by Jess Jackson, Florida software mogul Satish Sanan, and San Francisco investment banker George Bolton swooped in, buying an 80% controlling interest in Curlin for around $3.5 million.

Gallion and Cunningham kept a 20% stake, which, as you’ll see, would soon become a hot potato.

While Curlin was blazing a trail on the racetrack, his original owners were facing a different kind of heat.

Gallion and Cunningham, the lawyers who first spotted Curlin’s potential, had made headlines for winning a massive $200 million settlement for 418 clients in a lawsuit over the diet drug fen-phen.

But instead of distributing the money fairly, they were accused of siphoning off $90 million for themselves.

By August 2007, Gallion and Cunningham found themselves behind bars, awaiting trial for conspiracy and fraud.

Their share in Curlin was suddenly at the centre of a legal firestorm, with hundreds of their former clients now laying claim to the horse’s earnings and future sale value.

Ownership Tug-of-War

Courts ruled that the 20% stake still held by Gallion and Cunningham would be turned over to the fen-phen plaintiffs, but the legal mechanics were anything but straightforward.

Lawyers on both sides sparred over whether the plaintiffs had true ownership rights or were simply entitled to any cash distributions from Curlin’s winnings.

Lawsuits flew from all directions, including one from trainer Kenneth McPeek, who claimed he was owed a finder’s fee for helping Midnight Cry Stable acquire Curlin in the first place.

After years of courtroom wrangling, Gallion and Cunningham were convicted in 2009 and sentenced to 25 and 20 years in prison, respectively.

Their stake in Curlin was seized to help repay the clients they had defrauded. In May 2015, that 20% share was finally auctioned off by the U.S. Justice Department, fetching over $6 million and giving Curlin a total valuation of nearly $31 million.

Incidentally, President Joe Biden granted clemency to Gallion, who was serving a 25-year sentence.

The Legacy of Curlin

Following his retirement, Curlin embarked on a stud career at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms in Kentucky. His initial stud fee was $75,000 in 2009, reflecting high expectations based on his racing record and pedigree.

Over the years, his fee increased substantially, reaching $225,000 by 2025, reflecting his success as a sire.

Curlin’s progeny have made a significant impact on North American racing.

He has sired 25 different Grade 1 winners, including notable horses such as Vino Rosso, Malathaat, Elite Power, Exaggerator, Keen Ice, Clairiere, Idiomatic, Cody’s Wish, and Good Magic.

His offspring are known for stamina and classic distance capabilities, traits inherited from Curlin himself.

Among Curlin’s most successful progeny is Good Magic, who won two Grade 1 classics and sired full brothers Mage and Dornoch, both classic winners.

Keen Ice, another son, sired Rich Strike, the surprise winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby.

Curlin’s influence extends to multiple Eclipse Award winners, including three champions at the 2022 Breeders’ Cup and three separate Eclipse Award winners in 2023, a historic achievement for a sire.

A Story of Brilliance

Curlin’s story is one of late blooming brilliance, resilience, and lasting impact on Thoroughbred racing.

From a commanding debut to international victories and record earnings, he carved a path that few have matched.

His legacy continues through his progeny, who carry forward his stamina, class, and competitive spirit and remains a benchmark for excellence in American racing history.

He was honoured by multiple Eclipse Awards and a place in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame since 2014.