Sovereignty – Kentucky Derby context

A powerful closer, Sovereignty impressively broke his maiden when shipping to Churchill Downs for the Street Sense (G3) last fall, rallying to win by a widening five-length margin. His affinity for the Twin Spires may prove to be an advantage, and Sovereignty has a pair of commendable efforts in preparation this year, closing boldly to win the Holy Bull (G3) and finishing second in the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. Sovereignty figures to benefit from a projected speed-laden field.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby News and Notes

OWNER: Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Godolphin will seek their first Kentucky Derby win. And along with Sovereignty, the international operation will have East Avenue in the 20-horse field. They represent Godolphin’s first starters since Essential Quality was elevated to third via disqualification in 2021, the best result from 13 previous starts. Godolphin has swept the Eclipse Award for leading owner the last four years, winning eight times overall.

TRAINER: Bill Mott owns a 13-1-0-1 Kentucky Derby record, winning the 2019 edition via disqualification with Country House. A South Dakota native, the 71-year-old worked as an assistant for Hall of Famer Jack Van Berg before going out on his own in 1978, and Mott became the youngest trainer (45) ever elected to the Hall of Fame in 1998. Winner of the 2010 Belmont (G1) with Drosselmeyer, Mott saddled his first Kentucky Derby starter in 1984 but sent out only six runners over the next 34 years. He’s become much more involved over the last decade, with Sovereignty being his seventh Kentucky Derby starter in the last eight years.

JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado finished fourth when making his first Kentucky Derby appearance aboard Frosted in 2016, his best result from five attempts. His last two came aboard Mott-trained horses, and Alvarado was the regular rider for 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish.

BREEDER: Sovereignty was bred in Kentucky by Godolphin, whose best result from three previous starts as a breeder came in 2021 with third-placer Essential Quality.

SIRE: One of the world’s greatest sires, Into Mischief has produced Kentucky Derby winners Authentic and Mandaloun (2020-21), and the 20-year-old stallion’s progeny earned more than $30 million in 2024, leading the North American general sire list for a sixth consecutive time. Only Bold Ruler (eight), the sire of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, has been the leading sire more than Into Mischief in the last century. By Harlan’s Holiday, Into Mischief owns a lengthy list of accolades, and Sovereignty will be one of his three Kentucky Derby starters this year (Citizen Bull and Tappan Street).

DAM: Sovereignty is the first stakes winner out of the unraced Bernardini mare Crowned, a half-sister to Grade 1-winning Mushka, and an abundance of stamina influences can be found in Sovereignty’s female family. Winner of the 2006 Preakness, champion three-year-old male Bernardini proved to be a leading sire and an influential broodmare sire, recording the highest percentage of graded stakes winners to starters of all broodmare sires with active runners for a period earlier this decade. He’s still looking to make a mark upon the Kentucky Derby as a broodmare sire.

Join us for our upcoming LIVE blogs!

April 26 | LIVE open discussion with our experts before, during, and after the post position draw at Churchill Downs on opening night.

May 1-3 | LIVE coverage of Thurby, Oaks, and Kentucky Derby Day with exclusive up-to-date all-access trackside coverage. LIVE race odds, including Kentucky Derby odds, picks, entries for all the races, and so much more!

Don't miss a minute of the fun with your backstage pass to everything Kentucky Derby!