Curlin to be retired

Curlin, the 2007 Horse of the Year and North America's all-time leader in earnings, could be headed for retirement.

Majority owner Jess Jackson told the New York Times he was open to the idea of running Curlin once more this year, but there were no races left on the North American calendar rich enough to pique his interest.

"I've been blessed to have him and to have seen him run over 20-some-odd months," Jackson told the newspaper. "I have such warm memories of him. I just don't see how it could get any better."

Curlin, who won the Preakness in 2007, has career earnings of more than US$10,501,800.

The four-year-old finished fourth in October in his bid to win the US$5 million Breeders' Cup Classic for a second straight year.

In his outstanding career, Curlin has posted 11 wins, two second and two thirds in 16 races.