Zipse: Anticipating even bigger things for Journalism in 2026

For a brief moment during the running of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic, it looked like the 3-year-old Journalism had a shot to pull off the upset. He couldn’t quite sustain his momentum down the stretch at Del Mar, but his performance against the best older dirt horses in the world was further proof of what a classy individual he is.

Soon after his fourth-place finish in America’s richest race, the good news hit that the three-time grade 1 winner would be returning for his 4-year-old season. Similar announcements from the camps of Sovereignty and Baeza makes for a highly anticipated 2026 racing season.

Looking the absolute picture of health, as per usual, Journalism was out for a light jog at Santa Anita on Saturday in his first day back at the track since the Breeders’ Cup. It’s great to see him back early in the season, but with this horse, it should come as no surprise.

The phrase ‘danced every dance’ is often overused in describing modern thoroughbreds. In the case of Journalism, I believe it fits. His excellent record of 8: 4-3-0 last season tells only part of the story. The handsome bay colt was in training all year long and he faced the very best.

There will be no Eclipse Award, as he was overshadowed by his top rival Sovereignty. His two losses to that champion should take nothing away from an outstanding sophomore campaign enjoyed by the Michael McCarthy-trained athlete, however.

It was in his first start of the season on March 1, where Journalism competed in his only race of the year which was not a Grade 1. If there was any doubt that he was for real after a promising juvenile season, he put those questions to bed by easily dispatching a pair of highly regarded colts from the Bob Baffert barn in the San Felipe (G2).

An impressive victory in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), where he overcame some trouble before powering by his new rival Baeza, came one month later.

His first Grade 1 win in his career sent him to Churchill Downs as the favorite for the 2025 Kentucky Derby. He was only second best that afternoon, but it took a sensational performance by Sovereignty on an off track to beat him.

The new rivalry between the best two sophomores in the land would not continue two weeks later in Baltimore. As spectacular as Sovereignty was last season, he missed a few big races; Journalism did not.

The only horse to run in all three legs of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby runner-up would turn in one for the ages in the Preakness Stakes.

How he won the Middle Jewel at Pimlico that afternoon still boggles the mind. No matter what happens in the rest of his career, his win in the Preakness will remain as one of his most memorable highlights. 

Now a classic winner, Journalism had to face Sovereignty on that one’s home track in the final leg of the Triple Crown. Throw in the freshness advantage, and the Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga was clearly a daunting task. Not surprisingly, the California-based star would be second best once again.

Not resting on either his laurels or a grueling spring schedule, there was no let up from Journalism the rest of the season. If his Preakness had been a miracle victory, the Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park became clear validation that the popular colt had the heart and desire of a champion.

Seemingly too late to the party and destined to be a late running third behind Gosger and Goal Oriented, Journalism was somehow able to find another gear deep in the stretch and roll late to another improbable victory under rider Umberto Rispoli.

Older horses generally have the advantage over their younger rivals and that played out in both a second-place finish to Fierceness in the Pacific Classic (G1) and while finishing behind Forever Young, Sierra Leone, and Fierceness in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. 

Even in defeat, though, Journalism fired big, as always. In his only non-top two result of the season, he finished well ahead of Grade 1 winners Mindframe, Baeza, Nevada Beach, and Antiquarian.

The Breeders’ Cup Classic represented his seventh straight Grade 1 race after winning the San Felipe to begin his long and strong 3-year-old season. It was a schedule rarely seen in modern racing and through it all Journalism flourished.

He will surely be a hot commodity as a stallion, but kudos to the ownership group of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, breeder Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elyane Stables Five, and the Coolmore partners for bringing their star back for another season. Journalism is a runner and they will let him run again this year.

A number of big races are on the table for him as a 4-year-old. Don’t be surprised if Journalism drops down to a flat mile for the prestigious Metropolitan Handicap (G1) in late spring, and of course another run at the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in November.

Whatever his schedule turns out to be, you can bet that Journalism will duck no horse once again.

In 2025, Journalism proved that he is all class. Bigger, stronger, and more mature in 2026, I am anticipating an even better season for the impressive son of Curlin this year.