Full Breakdown
Sovereignty Crowned Horse of the Year at Eclipse Awards
1/23/2026, 8:19:07 AM
Major Awards and Recognitions
At the 55th annual Eclipse Awards held in Palm Beach, Florida, Sovereignty was named Horse of the Year for 2025, alongside winning the title of champion 3-year-old male. The colt, trained by Bill Mott, achieved significant victories including the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, although he missed the Breeders’ Cup Classic due to a fever. Mott was also honored as the outstanding trainer of the year, marking his fifth Eclipse Award in this category.
Voting and Results
Sovereignty received overwhelming support from the voting blocs, garnering 201 first-place votes for Horse of the Year, while Forever Young, the Japan-based Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, received 17 votes. Ted Noffey, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, was named champion 2-year-old male, finishing his season undefeated with a 4-for-4 record. The voting process involved members of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, and Daily Racing Form.
Notable Winners and Categories
The Eclipse Awards recognized several other champions, including:
- Older Male on Dirt: Forever Young
- Older Female on Dirt: Thorpedo Anna
- 3-Year-Old Female: Nitrogen
- 2-Year-Old Female: Super Corredora
- Male Sprinter: Book'em Danno
- Female Sprinter: Shisospicy
- Male on Turf: Notable Speech
- Female on Turf: She Feels Pretty
- Steeplechase Horse: Cool Jet
- Jockey of the Year: Flavien Prat
- Apprentice Jockey: Pietro Moran
- Owner and Breeder: Godolphin LLC
Godolphin, the racing and breeding operation owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, also dominated the awards, securing the titles of outstanding owner and breeder.
Future Prospects
Sovereignty's victory has set high expectations for the upcoming racing season, as he is expected to continue competing in 2026. His absence from the Breeders’ Cup Classic has led to speculation about his potential performance against older competitors. Meanwhile, Forever Young is anticipated to race in the Middle East, aiming for a repeat victory in the Saudi Cup.
Criticism and Opposition
Despite the accolades, there was some debate surrounding the decision to skip the Preakness Stakes, with critics questioning the strategy. However, Mott defended the choice, emphasizing the importance of maintaining Sovereignty's health for the latter part of the season.
Verbatim Quotes
- “First of all, I can't express how proud I am to be the one to hold this award,” — Bill Mott, Trainer of Sovereignty
- “We are humbled, we are grateful and we are hopeful for more to come,” — Eric Gustavson, Head of Spendthrift Farm, regarding Ted Noffey's award.
The Eclipse Awards not only celebrated the achievements of 2025 but also ignited excitement for the upcoming racing season, with many champions expected to continue their competitive journeys.
