Curlin made racing history by winning the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (gr.I) at Belmont Park in New York on Sept. 27. Curlin’s victory, which was worth $450,000, made the colt the richest North American-based Thoroughbred of all-time and the first to vault past the $10-million mark. Curlin, with earnings of $10,246,800, surpassed Cigar, who now ranks second with $9,999,815.

Less than an hour after the race, Curlin’s owner, Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stable, said the reigning Horse of the Year would go to Santa Anita to prepare for the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) Oct. 25, and a much-anticipated matchup with Big Brown, the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr.I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner. In another surprising announcement that followed the first, the Curlin camp said the colt was to leave Sept. 28 for California.

Jackson watched the race in California, where he was attending a charity event. His wife, Barbara Banke, was at Belmont.

Curlin won the 1 1/4-mile Gold Cup by three-quarters of a length over Wanderin Boy. The margin of victory was deceiving, considering Robby Albarado, aboard Curlin, only threw crosses with his reins to urge his mount to the lead. Wanderin Boy, under Alan Garcia, was being ridden vigorously