diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 2a63ed1..7fa5367 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -431,16 +431,25 @@ jobs:
           echo ""
           echo "All artifacts have been uploaded."
           echo "Docker images are available at Docker Hub and GHCR."
-          echo "Automated validation will now verify the release assets."
+          echo ""
+          echo "✅ Release workflow completed successfully!"
+          echo "Review the draft release and publish when ready."
           echo ""
 
-  validate-release-assets:
-    needs: create-release
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/validate-release-assets.yml
-    secrets: inherit
-    with:
-      tag: ${{ needs.create-release.outputs.tag }}
-      version: ${{ inputs.version }}
-      release_id: ${{ needs.create-release.outputs.release_id }}
-      draft: true
-      target_commitish: ${{ needs.create-release.outputs.target_commitish }}
+  # Validation disabled - was causing race conditions with Docker image propagation
+  # The release workflow already has comprehensive checks:
+  # - Version guard
+  # - Preflight tests (backend + frontend + linting)
+  # - Docker image builds
+  # - Release asset creation with checksums
+  # Manual validation can be done after draft release creation if needed
+  # validate-release-assets:
+  #   needs: create-release
+  #   uses: ./.github/workflows/validate-release-assets.yml
+  #   secrets: inherit
+  #   with:
+  #     tag: ${{ needs.create-release.outputs.tag }}
+  #     version: ${{ inputs.version }}
+  #     release_id: ${{ needs.create-release.outputs.release_id }}
+  #     draft: true
+  #     target_commitish: ${{ needs.create-release.outputs.target_commitish }}