Pegasus Profile, Curlin, and the Search for the Next Journalism
The Keeneland September Yearling Sale (Sept 8–20) is once again the epicenter of Thoroughbred commerce. With nearly 4,700 yearlings cataloged across 12 sessions, buyers from across the globe will be vying for the future stars of racing. Among them are 54 yearlings by Curlin, one of the most influential sires of the modern era. All will have plenty of promise in the ring—but only a few will gallop into greatness.
Curlin: A Proven Giant
Curlin needs no introduction. A two-time Horse of the Year and Hall of Famer, he has passed on his class to more than 1,100 winners, with 112 blacktype winners, 66 graded stakes winners, and 11 champions from 1,441 foals of racing age. His progeny have earned over $168 million worldwide, and his yearlings continue to command serious money—averaging more than $330,000 at auction.
But while Curlin’s record is stellar, averages hide the truth. While impressive for a stallion, more than 90% of his foals will not become blacktype winners. That means that for every classic winner like Vino Rosso, Malathaat, or Good Magic, dozens of others never make it past allowance company.
The challenge for buyers is clear: how do you know which Curlin yearling has the potential to be a star—and which one won’t?
Journalism: A Rising Star from Curlin’s Line
Enter Journalism, one of Curlin’s most exciting current runners. The colt has quickly established himself among the nation’s elite 3-year-olds:
- Winner of the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1)
- Runner-up in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, finishing behind division leader Sovereignty
- Earnings of nearly $3.8 million from just nine career starts
- Heading into the Pacific Classic, where he faces older horses like Nysos and Fierceness for the first time
Journalism embodies what makes Curlin’s best offspring so valuable: grit, versatility, and the ability to compete at the very highest level. But he’s also the reminder that such horses are rare. Out of more than 1,400 foals of racing age, only a handful rise to Journalism’s level.
Why Pegasus Profile Matters at Keeneland
This is where Pegasus Profile provides a crucial advantage.
Sales catalogs and pedigree pages can only take you so far. Conformation and walk can hint at athleticism, but they don’t reveal the genetic horsepower inside the horse. Pegasus Profile uses DNA markers and advanced genomic analysis tied to performance traits like speed, stamina, and soundness. The result is a Prediction Summary—a clear, science-backed view of which yearlings have the rare genetic makeup to reach elite levels.
Consider the economics: Curlin yearlings average $333,000 at Keeneland, with some hammering down for seven figures. For that kind of investment, “good pedigree” isn’t enough—you need confidence that your colt or filly has the genetic foundation to justify the bid. Pegasus Profile transforms what would otherwise be guesswork into a calculated strategy.
Keeneland 2025: The Opportunity
With 54 Curlin yearlings in this year’s September Sale, the temptation to chase the next Journalism will be high. Somewhere in that group could be another Triple Crown contender or Breeders’ Cup champion. But the odds, as history shows, are slim.
Pegasus Profile doesn’t guarantee you’ll buy the next Journalism—but it dramatically improves your chances of spotting him before the rest of the buying bench does.
The Bottom Line
Curlin has already secured his place among the greats, and Journalism shows just how good his offspring can be. At Keeneland this September, Pegasus Profile gives buyers the insight they need to separate the elite few from the expensive many.
When millions are at stake, don’t buy blind. Let Pegasus Profile help you find the next Journalism.