Having handed Japan a historic first win in 2025, Forever Young headed the market as he returned to defend his crown in 2026. An impressive winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup last time out, he had kicked off his season with a second Saudi Cup triumph. Firmly established as one of the world’s best dirt performers, he would become only the second dual winner of the race if coming home in front. T O Password also made the trip from Japan but would need to improve to claim a first Grade 1 success.
The William Mott-trained Sovereignty started as the clear second favourite. Sporting the Godolphin blue, the four-year-old missed the 2025 edition with a fever but was fit to take his chance this time around. The 2025 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner had taken a couple of runs to find his stride this season but arrived on the back of a resounding Whitney Stakes success. Knightsbridge provided a strong second string for Mott and Godolphin, having stormed 6¼l clear in the Pacific Classic on his most recent appearance.
A trio of three-year-olds completed the line-up. Golden Tempo put Cherie DeVaux’s name up in lights when coming with a late rattle to land the Kentucky Derby in May and followed up in the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga. That winning run came to an end in the Travers Stakes, but he had solid claims if back to his best. Boasting form figures of 1-1-2-2 in Grade 1 events, including a win in the Preakness Stakes, Napoleon Solo looked well worth his place in the lineup, while The Puma posted a career-best win in the Pennsylvania Derby last time out.
Result
- 1st – Sovereignty 39/20, Jockey: Junior Alvarado, Trainer: William Mott
- 2nd – The Puma 171/10, Jockey: Javier Castellano, Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
- 3rd – Knightsbridge 39/10, Jockey: Luis Saez, Trainer: William Mott
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £2,696,296.30
- 2nd – £881,481.48
- 3rd – £466,666.67
- 4th – £259,259.26
- 5th – £155,555.56
- 6th – £103,703.70
- 7th – £51,851.85
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- $2 Win – $5.94
- $2 Show – 1st – $2.94, 2nd – $6.10, 3rd – $3.76
- $1 Exacta – $31.30
- $1 Trifecta – $145.30
Recap
Knightsbridge broke well under Luis Saez to grab the lead heading into the first bend. T O Password came next, with the Japanese raider making the most of his low draw to secure a nice early position against the rail. Forever Young, Sovereignty, and Napoleon Solo raced in midfield, with The Puma and Golden Tempo held up in the early stages.
Knightsbridge led by two lengths as the runners turned into the back straight, with T O Password, defending champ Forever Young, and Napoleon Solo making up the next wave of three. Three lengths back to Sovereignty, who raced a length clear of The Puma. Sticking to the exaggerated hold-up style that had brought success at Churchill Downs, Golden Tempo was around six lengths adrift in last.
Little change in the order throughout the back straight. Forever Young, T O Password, and Napoleon Solo applied pressure to the leader, but Knightsbridge maintained his advantage into the home turn. Sovereignty appeared to move well within himself at this stage and closed the gap to the leading quartet with ease. The Puma was caught in the kickback in sixth, with a long way back to Golden Tempo.
Knightsbridge kicked again halfway around the final bend, with Forever Young and T O Password sticking to their task but making no inroads. Napoleon Solo began to beat a retreat, while Sovereignty was forced to switch wide but made eye-catching progress. The Puma followed him through, while Golden Tempo was around three lengths adrift in last but surely had too much to do.
Into the stretch, Knightsbridge maintained his gallop tight against the inside but had no answer to Sovereignty’s surge down the centre of the track. Edging into the lead with a furlong to go, Junior Alvarado’s mount ground it out with a relentless finishing effort to pull almost two lengths clear at the line. The Puma finished well for second, with long-time leader Knightsbridge running a gallant race in third.
William Mott won his third Breeders’ Cup Classic – 31 years after his first with Cigar in 1995. A first success for Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Saudi Cup-winning jockey Junior Alvarado. This was also a big day for Godolphin, who claimed the meeting’s flagship event for the first time.
Runners
- 1. T O Password – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Daisuke Takayanagi, Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
- 2. Sovereignty – SP: 39/20, Trainer: William Mott, Jockey: Junior Alvarado
- 3. Golden Tempo – SP: 57/10, Trainer: Cherie DeVaux, Jockey: Jose L Ortiz
- 4. The Puma – SP: 171/10, Trainer: Gustavo Delgado, Jockey: Javier Castellano
- 5. Forever Young – SP: 7/4F, Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi, Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
- 6. Magnitude – Non-Runner
- 7. Knightsbridge – SP: 39/10, Trainer: William Mott, Jockey: Luis Saez
- 8. Napoleon Solo – SP: 165/10, Trainer: Chad Summers, Jockey: John R Velazquez
Non-Runners
Magnitude (left foreleg injury)