rread1 Cut and paste: Curlin | The Chestnut Powerhouse

Foaled in 2004, Curlin was a big, strong chestnut colt bred in Kentucky, named after Charles Curlin, a...Cut and paste: Curlin | The Chestnut Powerhouse

Foaled in 2004, Curlin was a big, strong chestnut colt bred in Kentucky, named after Charles Curlin, a slave from the Civil War era who fought for his freedom. Though he didn’t race as a two-year-old, once he hit the track at age three, he turned into a powerhouse almost overnight.

🌟 Rise to Fame in 2007

In just his third career start, Curlin was already running in the Arkansas Derby, which he won by more than 10 lengths. That victory sent him to the Kentucky Derby, where he ran third behind Street Sense and Hard Spun — an impressive feat for such an inexperienced horse.

But Curlin wasn’t done.

Preakness Stakes (2007): Curlin showed grit, battling head-to-head with Street Sense down the stretch and winning by a nose.

Belmont Stakes (2007): He looked poised for glory, but a filly named Rags to Riches out-dueled him in a thrilling stretch run. Still, Curlin’s determination made the race unforgettable.

By fall, Curlin’s true greatness shone: he dominated the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the slop at Monmouth Park, sealing the 2007 Horse of the Year title.

👑 Four-Year-Old Season (2008)

Curlin returned even stronger. He:

Won the Dubai World Cup (world’s richest race at the time).

Captured the Stephen Foster Handicap, Woodward Stakes, and the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Tried his luck on turf in the Man o’ War Stakes, finishing second.

Though he finished fourth in his final race, the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic on a synthetic track, Curlin retired as North America’s all-time leading money earner at that time, with $10.5 million in earnings.

🐎 Legacy

Curlin became a top sire at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm, passing on his toughness and stamina. His offspring include Vino Rosso (2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner), Good Magic (2017 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt), Exaggerator (2016 Preakness winner), and many others. Show more 7 hours 25 minutes ago

WIN METHOD Nice, and I didn't have to shed a tear. 2 hours 17 minutes ago