At the 2007 Kentucky Derby, all eyes were on the three-year-old stallion Curlin (born March 25, 2004). This striking chestnut, sired by the renowned Canadian Thoroughbred Smart Strike, not only captivated with his looks but also demonstrated remarkable talent, entering the race as the 7-2 favourite.
Curlin's racing career began later than most, as he did not compete until he was two years old, seemingly allowing him to build his strength. He made a stunning debut in February 2007 at Gulfstream Park, winning his first race by an impressive 12.75 lengths. He followed this with a commanding five-length victory in the Rebel Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park and then dominated the Arkansas Derby (G1) with a victory margin exceeding ten lengths. After showcasing such prowess, Curlin was entered into the Kentucky Derby, where he faced the daunting "Curse of Apollo."
Since the inaugural Derby in 1875, the race had been won exclusively by horses that began racing at two years old—until Apollo broke this pattern in 1882, winning the Derby after starting his career at three due to an injury. Curlin, as the favoured contender, faced immense expectations, and while he finished third in the Derby, this result did not diminish his impressive abilities and accomplishments. The curse remained unbroken until Justify's victory in 2018, but for Curlin, the Derby was merely the beginning of a remarkable career.
Curlin's Canadian Heritage
While Curlin is primarily regarded as an American champion, his roots can be traced back to Canadian horse breeding, a fact of which the industry can take great pride. His sire, Smart Strike, bred at Sam-Son Farm, is celebrated not only for his own racing success but also for the outstanding lineage he has produced, passing on his speed and agility through generations.
In both 2007 and 2008, Smart Strike was recognised as North America's leading sire, while his son Curlin triumphed in major American races during the same period, earning the titles of American Champion and Horse of the Year in both years. Curlin inherited his impressive racing pedigree from his maternal lineage, which features notable Canadian bloodlines. His grandmother, Classy 'n Smart, was honoured as the Canadian Champion Three-Year-Old Mare and was awarded the title of Canadian Broodmare of the Year in 1991.
Curlin's great-grandmother, No Class, the foundational matriarch of this line, was named Canadian Broodmare of the Year in 1985 and produced eight foals, seven of whom became successful racehorses, including four Canadian Champions and two inductees into the Canadian Hall of Fame. Furthermore, Curlin's maternal grandfather, Deputy Minister, showcased exceptional talent, winning eight out of nine races as a two-year-old and earning accolades as both the American and Canadian Champion Two-Year-Old. He was also a leading sire in North America in 1997 and 1998 and the leading broodmare sire in 2007. Notably, Northern Dancer is Deputy Minister's paternal grandfather. Curlin's illustrious ancestry provided him with remarkable racing genes, which he fully realized both on the racetrack and as a stallion.
Name and Ownership
The stallion Curlin derives his name from one of his original owners, Shirley Cunningham, honouring her grandfather, Charles Curlin — a Black soldier who served in the 13th Colored Heavy Artillery during the Civil War. The ownership of Curlin has been contentious. Initially purchased for $57,000 by Bill Gallion and Shirley Cunningham, a trio of American entrepreneurs acquired 80% of his shares for $3.5 million after his first three wins.
However, Gallion and Cunningham faced serious legal troubles. They were accused of defrauding clients out of $90 million from a $200 million settlement related to the controversial weight loss drug fenfluramine/phentermine. As a result, they were imprisoned for 20 and 25 years, respectively, and their shares in Curlin were designated for distribution among the plaintiffs. Over the years, the ownership stakes have changed hands multiple times, with 80% now belonging to the family of billionaire Jesse Stonestreet Jackson Jr. In 2015, Hill 'n' Dale Farms purchased the remaining 20% from the original owners for more than $6 million.
Career
Curlin made a significant mark on the racing scene, winning the Preakness Stakes just two weeks after the Kentucky Derby. He narrowly lost the Belmont Stakes to the Japanese filly Rags to Riches by a head. In 2007, he faced tough competition for the titles of champion and Horse of the Year at the Breeders’ Cup Classic, racing against notable contenders like Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and Hard Spun. Curlin finished third in the Haskell Invitational Handicap, behind Hard Spun.
After a two-month break for his trainer, Curlin returned to win the Jockey Club Gold Cup, a title he would reclaim in 2008. At the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic, he triumphed by 4.5 lengths over Hard Spun, while Street Sense finished fourth and Any Given Saturday came in sixth.
The year 2008 started exceptionally well for Curlin, as he was named Horse of the Year. Seeking international challenge, he competed in the Dubai World Cup, where he won by an impressive 7.75 lengths, earning $6 million. Jockey Robby Albarado remarked, “This horse is like a limousine. I just get on and go; he drives me himself.”
Upon his return, Curlin again showcased his prowess, winning the Stephen Foster Stakes by 4.25 lengths. He finished second in the Man o' War Stakes but reclaimed victory in both the Woodward Stakes and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Unfortunately, his final race at the Breeders' Cup Classic did not go as planned; unfamiliar with the synthetic surface, he finished fourth. Nevertheless, Curlin was still honoured as Horse of the Year in 2008. He retired with an impressive record of 11 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds from 16 starts, amassing total earnings of $10,501,800.
Curlin's Offspring
After retiring, Curlin was sent to stud, covering 131 mares in 2009, with an initial stud fee of $75,000. By 2020, this fee had increased to $175,000, and it now stands at $225,000. Following Cody's Wish's victory at the 2023 Breeder's Cup, it is set to rise to $250,000.
Curlin has sired 25 sons who are winners of North American Grade 1 races. Notable progeny include 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish and champions such as Elite Power, Idiomatic, Malathaat, Nest, Vino Rosso, Good Magic, and Stellar Wind. He also boasts the 2013 Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice and the 2016 Preakness Stakes winner Exaggerator.
The 2024 Keeneland auction saw Curlin's offspring shine, with a colt selling for a record $5 million—the highest price of the event. Mandy Hope, who purchased the colt, expressed her belief in Curlin's value, stating, “I knew that ‘Curlin’ would be the most expensive lot of the auction. And it makes sense because he is the best.” Overall, Curlin's offspring were highly sought after, with 15 foals fetching a total of $14,115,000, including four selling for seven figures.
In the past two years, Curlin's grandsons Rich Strike (2022) and Mage (2023) have won the prestigious Kentucky Derby, solidifying Curlin's status as one of the top three sires in the U.S. At 20 years old, Curlin resides at Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Paris, Kentucky, remaining healthy and vigorous, continuing to influence the racing world and aspiring Thoroughbred owners alike.