2025 Eclipse Awards: Journalism

It was not fake news to say Journalism was alive and well and thriving in the United States in 2025.

Journalism had a robust eight-race, well-traveled, and very successful campaign, winning three Grade 1 stakes – highlighted by a dramatic Preakness victory – and finishing second in both the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets. His accomplishments earned him a spot as a finalist for the Eclipse Award in the 3-year-old male division.

Journalism, a son of Curlin bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corp., was an $825,000 yearling purchase at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton sale in Saratoga. He was campaigned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Derrick Smith and trained by Michael McCarthy.

:: Full list of 2025 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories

On a Southern California circuit where trainer Bob Baffert is typically stacked in the 3-year-old division, Journalism proved the best in the West. He began the year with a powerful 1 3/4-length victory in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes over the Baffert duo of Barnes and Rodriguez.

A month later, in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, Journalism overcame getting shuffled back to last in a five-horse field before rallying to win by three-quarters of a length.

Sent off the favorite in the 19-horse Kentucky Derby, Journalism got pinched back to 10th early and rallied to take the lead before getting run down by Sovereignty, settling for second.

While Sovereignty skipped the Preakness, Journalism went off as the even-money favorite. In upper stretch, things got scary for Journalism as he bumped hard with Goal Oriented and Clever Again while Gosger opened up a five-length advantage. Journalism, ridden by Umberto Rispoli, was unfazed, kept on running, lengthened his stride, and reeled in Gosger late to win by three-quarters of a length.

“What happened today is almost surreal. You don’t see that happen, it’s hard to explain,” McCarthy said after the Preakness. “This horse, I think he showed today he’s a gift from above.”

Journalism still had more to give.

Three weeks later, in the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, Journalism gave another gallant effort only to again finish second to Sovereignty by three lengths. Journalism was the only horse to compete in all three legs of the Triple Crown.

After a return home to California, Journalism shipped east again for the Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell at Monmouth Park. Early on, it looked as though the Triple Crown and traveling might have caught up to Journalism as he was seventh of eight early.

Once again, in the stretch, Journalism found another gear and was able to outfinish his Preakness nemesis Gosger to win by a half-length.

Back home in California, Journalism challenged older horses in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar, where he finished second to the 4-year-old Fierceness. Journalism capped his hearty campaign by running in the Grade 1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, finishing fourth, 3 3/4 lengths behind Forever Young.

Journalism was expected to return to McCarthy’s Santa Anita stable in mid-to-late January, with a possible return to the races in mid-to-late March.

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