LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin will be retired next year, and may already have run his last race.

Majority owner Jess Jackson, who has an 80 percent stake in the horse, said in a statement issued today that he'll consider offers from farms in Kentucky before deciding where Curlin will stand at stud.

"He always gave it his all and has done everything we have asked of him," Jackson said. "I am looking forward to seeing his foals compete and possibly exceed his unequaled racing record."

Until his future home is selected, Jackson said Curlin will remain in training for a possible race later this year, although there are not many options currently available.

"If an appropriate venue and purse are offered, we would consider one more race in 2008 for Curlin," Jackson said.

Curlin, the son of Smart Strike out of Sheriff's Deputy by Deputy Minister, is North America's leading money winner with earnings of more than $10 million. The 4-year-old colt is considered a leading contender to win Horse of the Year honors again.

If Curlin doesn't race again, his final effort would be a fourth-place finish in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita last month. Raven's Pass won the race.

Curlin's career racing record stands at 11 wins, two second and two thirds in 16 races and total earnings of $10,501,800. His wins include the Preakness Stakes, the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2007. This year, he won the Stephen Foster Handicap, the Dubai World Cup, the Woodward and the Gold Cup a second straight time.

Former attorneys William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr. of Lexington bought Curlin for $57,000 in 2004 through their Midnight Cry Stables. They sold a majority interest to a group led by Jackson in 2005. Jackson, the founder of Kendall-Jackson Wines, has since bought out the other investors.

Gallion and Cunningham, who were disbarred last month, face trial in the spring on charges that they defrauded former clients out of more than $90 million of a $200 million settlement over the diet-drug fen-phen. The first trial of the men ended in July when the jury could not reach a verdict.

A state judge had ordered the minority share of Curlin be sold to help satisfy a $42 million judgment against Gallion and Cunningham. Sealed bids for the minority ownership stake are expected to be made public this week. A court-appointed trustee rejected an initial round of bids last week.