Sovereignty (horse)

Thoroughbred race horse, winner of the 2025 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes

Sovereignty

Sire| Into Mischief
Grandsire| Harlan's Holiday
Dam| Crowned
Damsire| Bernardini
Sex| Colt
Foaled|  (2022-02-22) February 22, 2022 (age 3)[1]
Kentucky, U.S.
Country| United States
Color| Bay
Breeder| Godolphin
Owner| Godolphin
Trainer| William I. Mott
Record| 8: 5 – 2 – 0
Earnings| $5,147,800
Major wins
Street Sense Stakes (2024)
Fountain of Youth Stakes (2025)
Jim Dandy Stakes (2025)
American Triple Crown wins:
Kentucky Derby (2025)
Belmont Stakes (2025)
Last updated on July 27, 2025

Sovereignty (foaled February 22, 2022)[2] is an American Thoroughbred racehorse and the 2025 winner of both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. [3] He is the first horse since Justify’s Triple Crown win in 2018 to win two legs of the triple crown.

## Background

[edit]

Sovereignty is owned by Godolphin, the thoroughbred stables whise proprietor is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Emir of Dubai.[4]

Sovereignty's sire is Into Mischief, a Grade I winner at the age of two who has been North America's leading sire by purse winnings in multiple years since 2018. Sovereignty's dam is Crowned, an unraced mare whose sire is Bernardini (2003–2021), the American champion three-year-old of 2006 with victories in the Preakness Stakes, Travers Stakes, and Jockey Club Gold Cup. Sovereignty's maternal grandmother, Mushka, is a winner of three graded races, including the Grade I Spinster Stakes. Sovereignty's pedigree includes three Triple Crown winners in Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed.[5]

## Racing career

[edit]

### 2024: two-year-old season

[edit]

Sovereignty lost his first race against maiden company at Saratoga in August 2024. In his second start at Aqueduct in September, he was beaten by only a neck. At the end of October, trainer Bill Mott sent Sovereignty into stakes company at Churchill Downs in the Grade III Street Sense Stakes over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles. Leaving the gate a step slow and spotting the field in last place, Sovereignty eventually rallied on the outside through the Churchill stretch and drew away to win by five lengths.[6]

### 2025: three-year-old season

[edit]

Sovereignty was rested until March, when Godolphin and Mott entered him into the three-year-old Kentucky Derby prep races at Gulfstream Park in Florida. His first race of 2025 was the Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, in which he once again trailed the field before moving up around the turn and down the short stretch of Gulfstream's 1+1⁄16-mile racing configuration, defeating River Thames by a neck. The win gave Sovereignty 50 points in the 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby.[7]

Sovereignty then entered the Grade I Florida Derby with jockey Manuel Franco, who was substituting for regular rider Junior Alvarado after Alvarado was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Sovereignty settled to eighth out of the ten runners early on and began to pass horses as the race progressed, but in the stretch he could not overtake eventual winner Tappan Street (also sired by Into Mischief). Sovereignty finished second, beaten by 1+1⁄4 lengths, but earned another 50 points which was enough for him to qualify to enter "The Run for the Roses".[8]

#### Kentucky Derby

[edit]

Sovereignty drew post 18 in the 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby and was made the 5–1 second choice on the morning line behind Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism. Junior Alvarado was reunited with Sovereignty for the race.[9]

On account of two scratches, Sovereignty broke from post 16. He bobbled after the gate break after Chunk Of Gold came in on him slightly from the adjacent starting position. Alvarado then settled Sovereignty down on the rail, where he was 16th as he and the 18 other horses ran through the stretch for the first time and into the clubhouse turn. Charted in 17th place with 1⁄2 mile remaining, Sovereignty began to pass horses while drifting five and six wide turning for home. Sovereignty followed Journalism into the stretch, and dueled with him until the final furlong when Sovereignty began to pull away. Sovereignty won the Derby by 1+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 2:02.31 over the sloppy going.[10][11][12][13] The Derby win was the first for Godolphin after twelve unsuccessful tries in the past, and the first for jockey Alvarado. It was the second Derby victory for trainer Bill Mott, whose horse Country House was placed first in the 2019 Kentucky Derby after the disqualification of Maximum Security.[14]

After the Derby, Alvarado acknowledged to the horse racing publication The Blood-Horse that he went over the limit of using his riding crop on Sovereignty's hind quarters, which is set by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) at six strikes. "I couldn't keep track of that... It's such a big race, there's so much that you've got on your mind," he said. "I wasn't galloping by 10 (lengths). When the extra whip happened, I was right next to the favorite (referring to Journalism) and I needed to do what I needed to do at the time," he added. "I just wanted to win the biggest race in America." About a week later, Churchill Downs stewards issued Alvarado a two-day suspension and fined him $62,000 (20% of his $310,000 purse winnings) for violating the HISA crop rule by striking eight times. The sanctions were double the usual penalty of a one-day suspension and the greater of 10% of the jockey's winnings or $250, because it was his second crop violation in the last 180 days.[15] Alvarado has appealed the ruling, which was stayed pending a hearing. It was later reported that the assessed penalties could be reduced due to a rule amendment that was awaiting approval by the Federal Trade Commission.[16]

On May 6, it was reported that Bill Mott informed Preakness Stakes organizers that Sovereignty would not compete in the race to focus on the Belmont Stakes (June 7), thereby giving up the horse's chance at the Triple Crown.[17]

#### Belmont Stakes

[edit]

On Saturday June 7, the 2025 Belmont Stakes was won by Sovereignty, making him the first colt since triple crown winner Justify in 2018 to win at least two legs of the triple crown.[18]

## Statistics

[edit]

Date  | Distance  | Race  | Grade /
Group  | Track  | Odds  | Field  | Finish  | Winning
Time  | Winning
(Losing)
Margin  | Jockey  | Reference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2024 – Two-year-old season
Aug 24, 2024 |  6 furlongs | Maiden Special Weight  |  | Saratoga | 11.20  | 10  | 4  | 1:10.46  |  (3+1⁄4 lengths)  | Junior Alvarado | [19]
Sep 27, 2024 |  1 mile  | Maiden Special Weight  |  | Aqueduct | 2.45  | 6  | 2  | 1:36.14  |  (neck)  | Junior Alvarado | [20]
Oct 27, 2024 |  1+1⁄16 miles  | Street Sense Stakes |  III  | Churchill Downs | 1.43*  | 9  | 1  | 1:43.86  |  5 lengths | Junior Alvarado | [21]
2025 – Three-year-old season
Mar 1, 2025 |  1+1⁄16 miles  | Fountain of Youth Stakes |  II  | Gulfstream Park | 3.20  | 6  | 1  | 1:43.12  |  neck  | Junior Alvarado | [22]
Mar 29, 2025 |  1+1⁄8 miles  | Florida Derby |  I  | Gulfstream Park | 1.70*  | 10  | 2  | 1:49.27  |  (1+1⁄4 lengths)  | Manuel Franco | [23]
May 3, 2025 |  1+1⁄4 miles  | Kentucky Derby |  I  | Churchill Downs | 7.98  | 19  | 1  | 2:02.31  |  1+1⁄2 lengths | Junior Alvarado | [10]
June 7, 2025 |  1+1⁄4 miles  | Belmont Stakes |  I  | Saratoga | 2.50  | 8  | 1  | 2:00.69  |  3 lengths | Junior Alvarado | [24]
July 26, 2025 |  1+1⁄8 miles  | Jim Dandy Stakes |  II  | Saratoga | 0.50*  | 5  | 1  | 1:49.52  |  1 length | Junior Alvarado | [25]

An (*) asterisk after the odds means Sovereignty was the post-time favorite.

## Pedigree

[edit]

Pedigree of Sovereignty, bay colt, February 22, 2022[1] Sire
Into Mischief
(2005)  | Harlan's Holiday
(1999)  | Harlan
(1989)  | Storm Cat (1983)

|
|
|

Country Romance (1976)
Christmas in Aiken
(1992)  | Affirmed (1975)
Dowager (1980)
Leslie's Lady
(1996)  | Tricky Creek
(1986)  | Clever Trick (1976)
Battle Creek Girl (1977)
Crystal Lady
(1990)  | Stop the Music (1970)
One Last Bird (1980)
Dam
Crowned
(2013)  | Bernardini
(2003)  | A.P. Indy
(1989)  | Seattle Slew (1974)
Weekend Surprise (1980)
Cara Rafaela
(1993)  | Quiet American (1986)
Oil Fable (1986)
Mushka
(2005)  | Empire Maker
(2000)  | Unbridled (1987)
Toussaud (1989)
Sluice
(1998)  | Seeking The Gold (1985)
Lakeway (1991)(family: 9-f)[26]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Pedigree of Sovereignty". Equineline. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
2. ^ "Tales from the Crib: Sovereignty". Kentucky Derby. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
3. ^ Morik, Ryan (May 3, 2025). "Sovereignty wins 2025 Kentucky Derby". Fox News. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
4. ^ Black, Ryan (May 3, 2025). "Who owns Kentucky Derby 2025 winner Sovereignty? Meet Godolphin". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
5. ^ Black, Ryan (May 3, 2025). "Sovereignty is Kentucky Derby 2025 winner. Here's what to know about the horse's pedigree". Louisville Courier Journal. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
6. ^ Collins, Sean (October 27, 2024). "Godolphin Sweeps Derby, Oaks Preps at Churchill Downs". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
7. ^ McCarthy, Charlie (March 1, 2025). "Sovereignty Catches River Thames in Fountain of Youth". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
8. ^ McCarthy, Charlie (March 29, 2025). "Tappan Street Kicks Clear to Win Florida Derby". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
9. ^ King, Byron (April 26, 2025). "Favored Journalism Draws Post 8 for Kentucky Derby". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
10. ^ a b "CHURCHILL DOWNS – May 3, 2025 – Race 12 – Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve Grade 1" (PDF). Equibase. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
11. ^ Grening, David (May 3, 2025). "Kentucky Derby 2025: Sovereignty runs down Journalism to complete Godolphin sweep". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
12. ^ Frakes, Jason (May 3, 2025). "Sovereignty wins Kentucky Derby at 7–1 odds as Bill Mott etches name in history". Louisville Courier Journal. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
13. ^ Hackbarth, Chelsea (May 3, 2025). "'It's More Than Even a Dream': Sovereignty Reigns In Kentucky Derby". Paulick Report. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
14. ^ Clay, John (May 4, 2025). "Godolphin wins its first Kentucky Derby, with a little help from Seattle Slew". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
15. ^ King, Byron (May 9, 2025). "Alvarado Fined $62,000, Suspended for KY Derby Ride". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
16. ^ Hegarty, Matt (May 20, 2025). "Alvarado appeals Kentucky Derby whip-violation fine, suspension". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
17. ^ West, Jenna (May 6, 2025). "Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty to skip Preakness, dashing 2025 Triple Crown hopes". The New York Times. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
18. ^ "Derby victor Sovereignty returns to win Belmont". ESPN.com. June 7, 2025.
19. ^ "Saratoga – August 24, 2024 – Race 7". Equibase. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
20. ^ "Belmont at the Big A – September 27, 2024 – Race 6". Equibase. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
21. ^ "CHURCHILL DOWNS – October 27, 2024 – Race 10 – Street Sense S. Grade 3". Equibase. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
22. ^ "GULFSTREAM PARK – March 1, 2025 – Race 13 – Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. Grade 2". Equibase. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
23. ^ "GULFSTREAM PARK – March 29, 2025 – Race 14 – Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa Grade 1". Equibase. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
24. ^ "Full Charts / Saratoga / June 7, 2025 / Race 13". Equibase. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
25. ^ "Jim Dandy Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun Grade 2". Equibase. July 26, 2025. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
26. ^ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Toxophilite Mare – Family 9-f". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved May 2, 2025.

* v
* t
* e

Kentucky Derby winners

* 1875 Aristides
* 1876 Vagrant
* 1877 Baden-Baden
* 1878 Day Star
* 1879 Lord Murphy
* 1880 Fonso
* 1881 Hindoo
* 1882 Apollo
* 1883 Leonatus
* 1884 Buchanan
* 1885 Joe Cotton
* 1886 Ben Ali
* 1887 Montrose
* 1888 Macbeth II
* 1889 Spokane
* 1890 Riley
* 1891 Kingman
* 1892 Azra
* 1893 Lookout
* 1894 Chant
* 1895 Halma
* 1896 Ben Brush
* 1897 Typhoon II
* 1898 Plaudit
* 1899 Manuel
* 1900 Lieut. Gibson
* 1901 His Eminence
* 1902 Alan-a-Dale
* 1903 Judge Himes
* 1904 Elwood
* 1905 Agile
* 1906 Sir Huon
* 1907 Pink Star
* 1908 Stone Street
* 1909 Wintergreen
* 1910 Donau
* 1911 Meridian
* 1912 Worth
* 1913 Donerail
* 1914 Old Rosebud
* 1915 Regret ♥
* 1916 George Smith
* 1917 Omar Khayyam
* 1918 Exterminator
* 1919 Sir Barton ₩
* 1920 Paul Jones
* 1921 Behave Yourself
* 1922 Morvich
* 1923 Zev
* 1924 Black Gold
* 1925 Flying Ebony
* 1926 Bubbling Over
* 1927 Whiskery
* 1928 Reigh Count
* 1929 Clyde Van Dusen
* 1930 Gallant Fox ₩
* 1931 Twenty Grand
* 1932 Burgoo King
* 1933 Brokers Tip
* 1934 Cavalcade
* 1935 Omaha ₩
* 1936 Bold Venture
* 1937 War Admiral ₩
* 1938 Lawrin
* 1939 Johnstown
* 1940 Gallahadion
* 1941 Whirlaway ₩
* 1942 Shut Out
* 1943 Count Fleet ₩
* 1944 Pensive
* 1945 Hoop Jr.
* 1946 Assault ₩
* 1947 Jet Pilot
* 1948 Citation ₩
* 1949 Ponder
* 1950 Middleground
* 1951 Count Turf
* 1952 Hill Gail
* 1953 Dark Star
* 1954 Determine
* 1955 Swaps
* 1956 Needles
* 1957 Iron Liege
* 1958 Tim Tam
* 1959 Tomy Lee
* 1960 Venetian Way
* 1961 Carry Back
* 1962 Decidedly
* 1963 Chateaugay
* 1964 Northern Dancer
* 1965 Lucky Debonair
* 1966 Kauai King
* 1967 Proud Clarion
* 1968 Forward Pass (Dancer's Image disqualified)
* 1969 Majestic Prince
* 1970 Dust Commander
* 1971 Canonero II
* 1972 Riva Ridge
* 1973 Secretariat ₩
* 1974 Cannonade
* 1975 Foolish Pleasure
* 1976 Bold Forbes
* 1977 Seattle Slew ₩
* 1978 Affirmed ₩
* 1979 Spectacular Bid
* 1980 Genuine Risk ♥
* 1981 Pleasant Colony
* 1982 Gato Del Sol
* 1983 Sunny's Halo
* 1984 Swale
* 1985 Spend a Buck
* 1986 Ferdinand
* 1987 Alysheba
* 1988 Winning Colors ♥
* 1989 Sunday Silence
* 1990 Unbridled
* 1991 Strike the Gold
* 1992 Lil E. Tee
* 1993 Sea Hero
* 1994 Go for Gin
* 1995 Thunder Gulch
* 1996 Grindstone
* 1997 Silver Charm
* 1998 Real Quiet
* 1999 Charismatic
* 2000 Fusaichi Pegasus
* 2001 Monarchos
* 2002 War Emblem
* 2003 Funny Cide
* 2004 Smarty Jones
* 2005 Giacomo
* 2006 Barbaro
* 2007 Street Sense
* 2008 Big Brown
* 2009 Mine That Bird
* 2010 Super Saver
* 2011 Animal Kingdom
* 2012 I'll Have Another
* 2013 Orb
* 2014 California Chrome
* 2015 American Pharoah ₩
* 2016 Nyquist
* 2017 Always Dreaming
* 2018 Justify ₩
* 2019 Country House (Maximum Security disqualified)
* 2020 Authentic
* 2021 Mandaloun (Medina Spirit disqualified)
* 2022 Rich Strike
* 2023 Mage
* 2024 Mystik Dan
* 2025 Sovereignty

Legend – ₩ = Triple Crown winners, ♥ = Filly

* v
* t
* e

Belmont Stakes winners

* 1867 Ruthless ♥
* 1868 General Duke
* 1869 Fenian
* 1870 Kingfisher
* 1871 Harry Bassett
* 1872 Joe Daniels
* 1873 Springbok
* 1874 Saxon
* 1875 Calvin
* 1876 Algerine
* 1877 Cloverbrook
* 1878 Duke Of Magenta
* 1879 Spendthrift
* 1880 Grenada
* 1881 Saunterer
* 1882 Forester
* 1883 George Kinney
* 1884 Panique
* 1885 Tyrant
* 1886 Inspector B
* 1887 Hanover
* 1888 Sir Dixon
* 1889 Eric
* 1890 Burlington
* 1891 Foxford
* 1892 Patron
* 1893 Commanche
* 1894 Henry of Navarre
* 1895 Belmar
* 1896 Hastings
* 1897 Scottish Chieftain
* 1898 Bowling Brook
* 1899 Jean Bereaud
* 1900 Ildrim
* 1901 Commando
* 1902 Masterman
* 1903 Africander
* 1904 Delhi
* 1905 Tanya ♥
* 1906 Burgomaster
* 1907 Peter Pan
* 1908 Colin
* 1909 Joe Madden
* 1910 Sweep
* 1913 Prince Eugene
* 1914 Luke McLuke
* 1915 The Finn
* 1916 Friar Rock
* 1917 Hourless
* 1918 Johren
* 1919 Sir Barton ₩
* 1920 Man o' War
* 1921 Grey Lag
* 1922 Pillory
* 1923 Zev
* 1924 Mad Play
* 1925 American Flag
* 1926 Crusader
* 1927 Chance Shot
* 1928 Vito
* 1929 Blue Larkspur
* 1930 Gallant Fox ₩
* 1931 Twenty Grand
* 1932 Faireno
* 1933 Hurryoff
* 1934 Peace Chance
* 1935 Omaha ₩
* 1936 Granville
* 1937 War Admiral ₩
* 1938 Pasteurized
* 1939 Johnstown
* 1940 Bimelech
* 1941 Whirlaway ₩
* 1942 Shut Out
* 1943 Count Fleet ₩
* 1944 Bounding Home
* 1945 Pavot
* 1946 Assault ₩
* 1947 Phalanx
* 1948 Citation ₩
* 1949 Capot
* 1950 Middleground
* 1951 Counterpoint
* 1952 One Count
* 1953 Native Dancer
* 1954 High Gun
* 1955 Nashua
* 1956 Needles
* 1957 Gallant Man
* 1958 Cavan
* 1959 Sword Dancer
* 1960 Celtic Ash
* 1961 Sherluck
* 1962 Jaipur
* 1963 Chateaugay
* 1964 Quadrangle
* 1965 Hail To All
* 1966 Amberoid
* 1967 Damascus
* 1968 Stage Door Johnny
* 1969 Arts and Letters
* 1970 High Echelon
* 1971 Pass Catcher
* 1972 Riva Ridge
* 1973 Secretariat ₩
* 1974 Little Current
* 1975 Avatar
* 1976 Bold Forbes
* 1977 Seattle Slew ₩
* 1978 Affirmed ₩
* 1979 Coastal
* 1980 Temperence Hill
* 1981 Summing
* 1982 Conquistador Cielo
* 1983 Caveat
* 1984 Swale
* 1985 Creme Fraiche
* 1986 Danzig Connection
* 1987 Bet Twice
* 1988 Risen Star
* 1989 Easy Goer
* 1990 Go and Go
* 1991 Hansel
* 1992 A.P. Indy
* 1993 Colonial Affair
* 1994 Tabasco Cat
* 1995 Thunder Gulch
* 1996 Editor's Note
* 1997 Touch Gold
* 1998 Victory Gallop
* 1999 Lemon Drop Kid
* 2000 Commendable
* 2001 Point Given
* 2002 Sarava
* 2003 Empire Maker
* 2004 Birdstone
* 2005 Afleet Alex
* 2006 Jazil
* 2007 Rags to Riches ♥
* 2008 Da' Tara
* 2009 Summer Bird
* 2010 Drosselmeyer
* 2011 Ruler on Ice
* 2012 Union Rags
* 2013 Palace Malice
* 2014 Tonalist
* 2015 American Pharoah ₩
* 2016 Creator
* 2017 Tapwrit
* 2018 Justify ₩
* 2019 Sir Winston
* 2020 Tiz the Law
* 2021 Essential Quality
* 2022 Mo Donegal
* 2023 Arcangelo
* 2024 Dornoch
* 2025 Sovereignty

Legend – ₩ = Triple Crown Winners, ♥ = Filly
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