Horse of the Year Curlin returned to Churchill Downs on Monday afternoon following a flight from Southern California and will walk for several days as his connections mull plans for his future on or off the racetrack.

The all-time leading North American-raced earner finished fourth to European star Raven’s Pass in the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday on Santa Anita Park’s Pro-Ride synthetic surface.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Curlin came out of the race in good shape but that no decision has been made on whether his unsuccessful bid to repeat last year’s Classic victory at Monmouth Park would be the final start of the four-year-old Smart Strike colt’s career.

“The only thing that has been discussed was his travel arrangements back here to Kentucky,” Asmussen said. “We made it back, we’ll relate where he’s at now, walk him, pet on him a little while, give him a little loving, and leave it at that.”

Majority owner Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Farm could decide to send Curlin on to a new career as a stallion or continue with his racing career. Asmussen said he will accept either decision.

“I have nothing but admiration for the horse,” he said. “You hate to see him get beat in any way, shape, or form. Mr. Jackson’s quite the sportsman. He left a lot of money on the table to bring him back [to race in 2008] and he tried different things with him, like the turf in New York and the synthetic track there [at Santa Anita].  He’s a true sportsman.  The fans wanted to see him run and Mr. Jackson allowed that to happen.”

Curlin earned $255,000 for his fourth-place finish in the Classic, which lifted his North American record for career earnings to $10,501,800. He has won 11 of 16 starts with two second- and two third-place finishes.