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Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin will be retired to stud in 2009 according to majority owner Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stable.

It has not been entirely ruled out that he would run in 2009 if an “attractive price was offered at an appropriate venue,” Jackson said. But it looks like that is highly unlikely.

“I am proud to announce that he will start a new career (as a stallion) in 2009 and contribute his soundness, stamina, durability and athleticism to the breed,” Jackson said.

The colt, which is trained by Steve Asmussen, won 11 of his 16 races and became the first American horse to exceed $10 million in purses. The 4-year-old son of Smart Strike won seven Grade 1 races in his 2-year racing career.

In an attempt to win his second consecutive Breeders’ Cup Classic (Grade I), Curlin finished fourth to Raven’s Pass at Santa Anita in October over a synthetic track that he apparently did not like.

“I’ve been blessed to have him and to have seen him run over 20-some-odd months,” Jackson told the New York Times. “I have such warm memories of him. I just don’t see how it could get any better. I’m going to breed 20 or so of my very best mares to him, no matter where he stands. He’s had a stellar racing career. I think he’s one of the top 10 horses since 1900. How he rates versus others – it’s not merely about statistics.”