Stallion Curlin (Smart Strike out of Sherriffs Deputy) had a historic, arguably dominant, impact on the 2026 Kentucky Derby (152nd Running), which took place on May 2, 2026. He achieved his first win as a sire, along with massive representation in the top finishers of the race.
Here is the breakdown of Curlin's impact on the 2026 Kentucky Derby:
Sire of the Winner (Golden Tempo): Golden Tempo, a son of Curlin, won the 152nd Kentucky Derby at 23-1 odds, surging from last to first for trainer Cherie DeVaux.
Broodmare Sire of the Runner-Up (Renegade): Renegade, who finished second, is out of a daughter of Curlin.
Grandsire of the Third-Place Finisher (Ocelli): Ocelli finished third and is by Connect, a son of Curlin.
Total Dominance: Curlin appeared in the first or second generation of every single horse in the top three finishing positions.
Legacy and Fertility Issues: This victory came at a significant time, as it was announced just prior to the race that 22-year-old Curlin was being rested from breeding for the remainder of the 2026 season due to low fertility issues.
