Godolphin's Sovereignty Rules Kentucky Derby

May 03, 2025 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Sovereignty winning the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Fulfilling a quest decades in the making, Godolphin homebred Sovereignty battled past favored Journalism to give Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum's global operation its first Kentucky Derby (G1) trophy.

Baeza, the half-brother to 2023 Derby winner Mage, finished strongly for third, and Final Gambit rallied for fourth. Owen Almighty held fifth after chasing the fast pace and making a bid for glory at the top of the stretch.

Sovereignty negotiated 1 1/4 miles on a sloppy Churchill Downs track in 2:02.31 and returned $17.96 as a 7-1 chance.

SOVEREIGNTY WINS THE KENTUCKY DERBY! 🌹

Bill Mott trains and @JuniorandKellyA was aboard for @godolphin! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/wOzqOFVRkb

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 3, 2025

An historic result

Trainer Bill Mott was recording a second Kentucky Derby victory, but his Country House (2019) had been awarded the win via disqualification. Jockey Junior Alvarado, who just returned to riding in mid-April from an injury, was savoring his first-ever Derby win.

Sovereignty made history for leading sire Into Mischief, who registered a record-tying third Derby winner after Authentic (2020) and Mandaloun (2021). He is the fifth overall to do so, but the first since Calumet's great stallion Bull Lea in the mid-20th century.

Godolphin also emulated Calumet's historic achievement by turning the Kentucky Oaks (G1)/Derby double, after homebred filly Good Cheer remained unbeaten in Friday's feature. And earlier Saturday, the iconic royal blue silks held sway over Newmarket, as Ruling Court won the first British classic of the season, the 2000 Guineas (G1).

How the $5 million race was won

As a closer, Sovereignty appreciated the strong pace set by Citizen Bull, last year's champion two-year-old colt. Citizen Bull blasted from his rail post, angled several paths off the fence, and sped through fractions of :22.81 and :46.23.

Neoequos pressed Citizen Bull and began to overtake him when they reached six furlongs in 1:10.78 rounding the far turn. But the stalking Owen Almighty advanced to challenge and struck the front at the top of the lane.

Meanwhile, Journalism was rolling into contention, and Sovereignty was following in his wake. Although Journalism tackled a tiring Owen Almighty first, Sovereignty was already bearing down on him.

The two fought out the finish, with Sovereignty edging 1 1/2 lengths clear late. Journalism just salvaged runner-up honors from Baeza, who was flying late.

Final Gambit also closed from far back for fourth. Fifth-placer Owen Almighty ran a mighty race for a horse who almost went to the Pat Day Mile (G2) on Saturday's undercard.

Burnham Square reported home sixth, followed by Sandman, East Avenue, Chunk of Gold, Tiztastic, Coal Battle, Luxor Cafe, Neoequos, Publisher, Citizen Bull, American Promise, Render Jugment, Flying Mohawk, and Admire Daytona.

Rodriguez was scratched late Thursday afternoon, allowing the also-eligible Baeza to draw into the field. Grande was withdrawn Friday morning.

Red looks so good on you! 🌹❤️ pic.twitter.com/PitN5I6B48

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 4, 2025

Record and pedigree

Sovereignty broke his maiden in last fall's Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs, romping in stakes-record time. Returning to win the Fountain of Youth (G2) in the nick of time at Gulfstream Park, he was coming off a good second in the Florida Derby (G1) over the same track. He now sports a mark of 6-3-2-0, and the winner's check of $3.1 million boosted his bankroll to $3,672,800.

The Kentucky-bred gets his name from his mother, Crowned. She is in turn by champion Bernardini and out of Grade 1-winning millionaire Mushka, a daughter of Empire Maker.

Bernardini became Sheikh Mohammed's first U.S. classic winner in the 2006 Preakness (G1), in his Darley silks, so it's a poignant tribute that his grandson would wear the roses.

🌹 🏆 KDBC RESULTS 🏆 🌹

Congratulations to the top 10 finishers of the inaugural Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge and to our winner of over $100k in cash and other prizes, Frank Mustari!

These results are unofficial pending audit and winners will be paid out within 10 days.… pic.twitter.com/xZLiBFFJuI

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 4, 2025