Coolmore partners, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, announced March 31 they have reached an agreement to stand prominent Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Journalism at Ashford Stud upon his retirement and will participate with the current ownership during the remainder of his racing career.
Journalism, a son of Curlin , is trained by Michael McCarthy and raced by an ownership group that includes Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, and Elayne Stables 5.
"We are delighted to be joining Eclipse, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Elayne Stables 5, and Robert LaPenta in Journalism's future," said Coolmore's M.V. Magnier. "He's a very exciting prospect, very good-looking colt with an impeccable pedigree, and we look forward to a big career with him."
Aron Wellman's Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners bought Journalism for $825,000 out of Fasig-Tipton's 2023 The Saratoga Sale, its boutique yearling sale in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Denali Stud consigned the bay colt.
The colt captured his first win at Del Mar by 2 1/2 lengths going a mile and followed with a victory in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), which he won by 3 1/2 lengths over grade 1-placed, future graded stakes winner Getaway Car and grade 1 winner Gaming. At 3, Journalism has shown he's kept his form with a seasonal debut win in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) by 1 3/4 lengths over 2-5 favorite Barnes.
Don Alberto bred Journalism out of the multiple grade 1-placed, graded stakes winner Mopotism. The daughter of Uncle Mo won the 2018 La Canada Stakes (G2) and placed in four grade 1 stakes—the 2016 Starlet Stakes (G1), 2017 La Brea Stakes (G1), 2018 Santa Margarita Stakes (G1), and 2019 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1). She was retired with a 3-5-6 record from 26 starts that included six other graded stakes performances and earned $876,090.
Don Alberto bought Mopotism for $1.05 million during Fasig-Tipton's 2019 The November Sale out of Kingwood Farm's consignment. Journalism is the mare's first foal. She also has a 2-year-old colt by Tapit named Nitro Tap and a yearling by Into Mischief .
Mopotism is out of the Bernardini daughter Peppy Rafaela, who is a half sister to multiple graded stakes winner Songster (Songandaprayer).
McCarthy has said the April 5 Santa Anita Derby (G1) is the "most likely scenario" for Journalism's next start. The colt already has earned 47.5 points through Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying races, enough points historically to put him in the starting gate for America's premier classic to be run May 3.
