Kentucky-bred Sovereignty turned in a scintillating performance to win the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Championship Saturday at Keeneland. With his sparkling score, Kentucky-breds now boast 30 wins in the Breeders’ Cup Classic from 43 renewals.

The Classic was billed as a showdown between 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty and Forever Young (JPN), last year’s Classic winner and globetrotting star from Japan. The heavyweight matchup was a knockout for Sovereignty, who has been retired to stud following the dramatic victory.

“You know what? This is a relief because I know how good the horse is,” winning trainer Bill Mott said. “This was big today because there were some doubters. I think we have proved our position. We proved what we needed to prove.”

Ridden by his regular rider Junior Alvarado, Sovereignty, owned and bred in Kentucky by Godolphin, took over the race with his trademark sweeping move into the stretch. Kentucky-bred The Puma, one of three 3-year-olds in the seven-horse field, rallied for second.

“Bittersweet,” Alvarado said after the race. “He doesn’t owe us anything and he’s got his next career. I’m very glad we ended his career the way we did today.”

Kentucky-bred Breeders’ Cup Winners

In other Championship Saturday action, Kentucky-bred Ways and Means captured the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). Owned and bred by Klaravich Stables, the daughter of Practical Joke is trained by Chad Brown.

Bacio, a Group 1 winner in England this year, won the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) in a dominating performance. Bred in Kentucky by Torie Gladwell, Cincinnati Equine, Borrowdale LLC and Knollwood Farm, et al, Bacio is campaigned by My Racehorse, Gladwell, Deja Blu Stable, Jacob Shockey, Josh Messenger, Valerie Dailey, and Joshua Hanna. Wesley Ward conditions the son of Maclean’s Music.

Kentucky-bred Further Ado prevailed in a stretch-long battle with Owen Almighty to win the $ 1million Dirt Mile (G1). Bred in Kentucky by John Oxley, the son of Gun Runner is owned by Spendthrift Farm and is trained by Brad Cox.

Kentucky-bred Kathynmarissa defeated an international field in the $2 million Filly and Mare Turf (G1). Owned by Michael Dubb and Michael Caruso and trained by Chad Brown, the daughter of American Pharoah was bred by Don Alberto Corporation.

Kentucky-bred, Japan-based T O Elvis won the $2 million Sprint (G1), running down Englishman late. Owned by Tomoya Ozasa and trained by Dansuke Takayanagi, the son of Volatile was bred by Jeff and Melissa Prunzik.

Deterministic outran Notable Speech (GB) to score in the $2 million Mile (G1). The son of Liam’s Map is owned by St. Elias Stables, Ken Langone, C. Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable. Miguel Clement trains the multiple Grade 1 winner who was bred by Hinkle Farms.

Nitrogen wired her foes in the $2 million Distaff (G1), defeating Fully Subscribed. The D. J. Stable homebred is a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro trained by Mark Casse.