The journey of Michael McCarthy, a 54-year-old trainer, is a testament to dedication, family values, and the pursuit of excellence in horse racing. His current focus is on Journalism, the morning-line favorite for the June 7 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, a race that brings his career full circle in many ways. McCarthy’s early years were spent honing his craft under respected trainers like Ben Cecil, Doug Peterson, and John O’Hara in his native Southern California. However, an extraordinary opportunity arose in 2002 when he was invited to work for the renowned trainer Todd Pletcher, marking his transition to the East Coast racing scene. Learn more about horse training.
For over a decade, McCarthy thrived within Pletcher’s highly successful operations, progressing from foreman to assistant trainer. During this period, he was instrumental in the care and development of numerous high-caliber horses, including Ashado, English Channel, Palace Malice (winner of the 2013 Belmont Stakes), Princess of Sylmar, Rags to Riches (winner of the 2007 Belmont Stakes), and Super Saver. These horses were pivotal in Todd Pletcher’s induction into the Hall of Fame in 2021 and contributed to six of his eight Eclipse Awards for training excellence.
Despite the demanding and rewarding nature of his role with Pletcher, family remained McCarthy’s top priority. In 2013, he made the difficult decision to return to Southern California to be with his wife, Erin, and their daughter, Stella. This move allowed him to prioritize his family while still pursuing his passion for horse racing.
January 2014 marked the beginning of McCarthy’s solo training career. His first runner was for Aron Wellman’s Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, who had purchased Journalism as a yearling. Despite the slow start, with his first win coming in August 2014 with his tenth starter, McCarthy persevered. The culture shock of transitioning from the structured environment of Pletcher’s stable to managing his own operation was significant, but his California roots and affinity for tracks like Santa Anita Park provided a grounding force. Discover the intricacies of horse journalism training.
McCarthy’s dedication paid off, with 2018 being a breakout year, earning over $3.9 million. This success was highlighted by stable stars like City of Light, the winner of the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), and the subsequent victory in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) in 2019. Ce Ce earned an Eclipse Award as champion female sprinter in 2021, and Rombauer delivered McCarthy his first Preakness winner in the same year. Now, with Journalism’s strong performance, McCarthy is a leading contender in the Belmont Stakes, a race that holds special significance for him.
McCarthy’s success is part of a broader trend of accomplished trainers emerging from Todd Pletcher’s tutelage, a lineage that itself stems from the legendary D. Wayne Lukas. This “family tree” of trainers, including George Weaver, Jonathan Thomas, and Whit Beckman, exemplifies the strong work ethic and commitment instilled by their mentors. Todd Pletcher, who will also have runners in the Belmont Stakes, expressed no surprise at McCarthy’s achievements, citing his keen assessment skills and unwavering dedication. “Michael was well prepared to train on his own,” Pletcher remarked. “As soon as he got those opportunities, he showed what he could do with them.” Understand who trained the horse Journalism.
Pletcher emphasized the importance of trust and reliability in the training profession, qualities he observed in McCarthy throughout their time together. “While with me, Michael had an accurate opinion on how the horses were doing,” Pletcher added. “I thought he was pretty good at assessing talent.” Ultimately, Pletcher acknowledged that family commitments were a key factor in McCarthy’s decision to leave, underscoring the universal truth that family always comes first. Explore how to train a horse for dressage.
Reflecting on his time with Pletcher, McCarthy expressed deep gratitude. The principles and practices he learned during those formative years continue to guide his own operation, even as the logistics have evolved. “I’ve said this before, everything we sort of do with our operation, even though the logistics are different, basically runs through (my time with Todd),” McCarthy stated. His journey from assistant to a contender in one of horse racing’s most prestigious events is a compelling narrative of passion, perseverance, and the enduring influence of strong mentorship. Find out who trained Journalism horse.
