Kentucky Derby star Sovereignty to return to action in 2026

Dec 27, 2025 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

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

After a stellar three-year-old campaign highlighted by victories in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont (G1), and Travers (G1), Sovereignty will be back for more as a four-year-old in 2026, connections revealed on Saturday.

The exciting news came at Gulfstream Park, where fellow Godolphin homebred Knightsbridge had just romped in the $150,000 Mr. Prospector (G3).

Godolphin’s director of bloodstock in the United States, Michael Banahan, and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott each commented on impending plans for Sovereignty.

Speaking to FanDuel Racing’s Caton Bredar, Banahan reported that Sovereignty is currently galloping at Keeneland. The nation’s top three-year-old colt is steadily building up his fitness before rejoining Mott at his winter headquarters, Payson Park in Florida.

Mott told Bredar that the return of Sovereignty would be a “good New Year’s present,” in anticipation of the colt’s shipping from Kentucky to Florida in the days following Jan. 1. In his interview with Gulfstream’s Ron Nicoletti, Mott quipped that the exact timetable depends on road conditions and if they can get a truck, with his trademark humor.

Once Sovereignty settles in at Payson Park, he would ramp up his training, turning in timed works (breezes) on a regular schedule. His comeback spot remains to be determined, although valuable targets in the Middle East are looming early in the season.

Sovereignty romps in the G1 Travers! 🏆@juniorandkellya was aboard for trainer Bill Mott and @godolphin! pic.twitter.com/9afQdqzDIk

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 23, 2025

Sovereignty has not raced since his 10-length conquest of the Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 23. His dominant performance presumably clinched champion three-year-old male honors and put him in contention for Horse of the Year.

His seasonal finale was supposed to come against older horses in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), where Sovereignty was installed as the 6-5 favorite on the morning line. Unfortunately, he spiked a fever after traveling to Del Mar and accordingly scratched.

Sovereignty has since been enjoying a holiday in the Bluegrass, but his future remained unclear until Saturday. The Godolphin brain trust had not announced whether he would stay in training or retire to stud.

Considering his pedigree and resume, Sovereignty has red-hot stallion appeal. It would have been no surprise if he began his stud career in 2026, under the banner of Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum’s Darley operation.

But in a sporting decision, Sheikh Mohammed and his team will keep Sovereignty on the racetrack. The son of leading sire Into Mischief will have the opportunity to enhance his historic profile. His scorecard stands at 9-6-2-0, including wins in the Street Sense (G3), Fountain of Youth (G2), and Jim Dandy (G2), and his earnings total more than $5.8 million.

Might Sovereignty grace the stage at Meydan for the March 28 Dubai World Cup (G1)? If so, we’d see the culmination of Sheikh Mohammed’s vision in more ways than one – a long-sought Kentucky Derby winner for Godolphin, at the landmark race meeting that the ruler of Dubai himself established to showcase his homeland on the world stage.