Thanks to the all-weather tracks, flat racing is a year-round affair in the UK. However, the core flat season is over for another year. The final Group 1 has been run and the leading trainers, jockeys, and owners crowned. Between now and spring 2026, the vast majority of the biggest prizes will be won over jumps.
There are, however, several rather large pots remaining on the international calendar. One of the biggest of all will be handed out shortly after 10:30pm on Saturday evening, following the 2025 edition of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
A cool $7 million is on the line in Del Mar, as the runners and riders do battle over 1m2f of the dirt course. Expected to represent the next step towards greatness for Sovereignty, the race has been thrown wide open following the late withdrawal of the Bill Mott-trained superstar.
Blow for Godolphin as Sovereignty Scratched
With wins in the Turf, Juvenile, Juvenile Fillies, and Dirt Mile events, Godolphin are no strangers to Breeders’ Cup success. However, the flagship event has so far evaded the boys in blue.
Having finished third with Proxy in 2023, Essential Quality in 2021, and Thunder Snow in 2018, Godolphin looked to have an excellent chance of claiming top spot on the podium in 2025. Hailing from the yard of Bill Mott, Sovereignty has enjoyed an electric campaign. He claimed his first career Grade 1 on the grand stage of the Kentucky Derby, then bettered that effort when cruising clear in the Belmont Stakes. Last seen sauntering to a 10-length victory in the Travers Stakes, he was the star attraction and clear favourite for the 2025 Classic.
Unfortunately, Sovereignty’s shot at Breeders’ Cup glory ended before it had begun. On the Monday before the big race, the three-year-old was found to be suffering from a high temperature and fever. While connections gave their star every chance to recover, a lack of improvement saw Sovereignty officially scratched on Wednesday afternoon.
The 2024 1-2 Back for More
The withdrawal of Sovereignty left a significant hole at the head of the market. That hole has now been filled by the two colts who finished first and second in the 2024 edition – Sierra Leone and Fierceness.
After finishing behind Fierceness in both the Jim Dandy Stakes and Travers Stakes, Chad Brown’s Sierra Leone turned the tables in this event. Going in the famous Coolmore silks, Flavian Prat’s mount ran down his rival in the straight to score by 1½l. He’s won only one of four starts in 2025 but has yet to finish outside the first three and may be ready to peak on the big day once again. If he succeeds, he will join Tiznow as the only two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Sierra Leone may arrive as the defending champ, but Fierceness just shades favouritism in most betting lists. Two starts ago, the son of City Of Light finished over five lengths behind Sierra Leone in the Whitney Stakes. However, he took a big step back in the right direction when slamming Preakness Stakes winner Journalism in the Pacific Classic. Representing 2019-winning trainer Todd Pletcher and 2020-winning jockey John Velazquez, he brings leading form claims to the race.
Forever to End Wait for Japan?
Japan’s success on the international stage has encompassed wins at the Breeders’ Cup Festival, but not yet the feature event. The latest star to attempt to crack the Classic is the horse who finished third in the 2024 edition.
Hailing from the yard of Yoshito Yahagi, Forever Young has yet to finish outside of the first three in 10 career outings, winning seven times. Two of his three defeats came on his only U.S. starts, but he ran well both times. Before finishing third here 12 months ago, he was beaten by a short head in a dramatic three-way photo at the end of the Kentucky Derby. Fresher than most, having been off the track since April, he could go close under Ryusei Sakai.
Preakness Winner the Best of the Rest
Arriving with form figures of 121212, Preakness Stakes winner Journalism has never tasted defeat twice in a row. He finished behind Fierceness in the Pacific Classic last time but lost significant ground early on that day. With Jose Ortiz taking over in the saddle, he may fare better here.
Others to note include Mindframe, whose only 2025 defeat came when unseating his rider in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Nevada Beach, who represents four-time winning trainer Bob Baffert.