Kentucky Derby 2025 Recap: Sovereignty Claims Victory at Churchill Downs
Sovereignty is a three-year-old bay colt who captured national attention by winning the 151st Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs. Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and ridden by jockey Junior Alvarado, Sovereignty surged past the favorite, Journalism, in the final stretch to claim victory on a rain-soaked, muddy track .
🐎 Horse Profile: Sovereignty
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Foaled: February 22, 2022, in Kentucky, USA
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Color: Bay
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Sire: Into Mischief
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Dam: Crowned (by Bernardini)
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Breeder & Owner: Godolphin, the global racing operation owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
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Trainer: William I. Mott
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Jockey: Junior Alvarado
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Career Record: 6 starts – 3 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
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Earnings: $3,672,800
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Notable Wins: 2024 Street Sense Stakes, 2025 Fountain of Youth Stakes, 2025 Kentucky Derby
🏇 2025 Kentucky Derby Victory
Entering the Derby with 7-1 odds, Sovereignty demonstrated exceptional stamina and closing speed. Despite starting from the challenging 18th post position, he navigated through the 19-horse field and overtook Journalism in the final stretch, finishing the 1¼-mile race in 2:02.31. This win marked jockey Junior Alvarado's first Kentucky Derby victory and trainer Bill Mott's second, the first being in 2019 with Country House
🌟 What's Next: Triple Crown Pursuit
With the Kentucky Derby win, Sovereignty now sets sights on the Triple Crown, aiming to become the 14th horse in history to achieve this feat. The next leg is the Preakness Stakes on May 17, 2025. Trainer Bill Mott and the Godolphin team will assess Sovereignty's condition before confirming participation .
