Sovereignty was named Horse of the Year at the 55th annual Eclipse Awards, also earning honors as the top 3-year-old male. Trainer Bill Mott, who led the colt to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, was recognized as trainer of the year. The ceremony took place Thursday night at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.
The Eclipse Awards, named after the 18th-century horse and sire Eclipse, celebrate excellence in Thoroughbred racing. Voted on by members of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, the 55th annual event highlighted standout performers from the 2025 season.
Sovereignty's achievements included winning the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, and the Belmont Stakes, skipping the Preakness Stakes during Triple Crown season. The colt was sidelined from the Breeders' Cup Classic by a fever but still dominated the awards, securing dual honors.
In the younger division, Ted Noffey was crowned 2-year-old male horse after an undefeated 4-for-4 season. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the colt is now the early favorite for the 2026 Kentucky Derby in May. Noffey's victories began with his debut at Saratoga in August 2025, followed by an 8 1/2-length win in the Hopeful Stakes at the same track, a 2 3/4-length triumph in the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, and a one-length victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on October 31, 2025.
Other notable winners included jockey Flavien Prat and apprentice jockey Pietro Moran. Godolphin LLC, the operation of Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, took owner and breeder of the year awards. Among males, Japan-bred Forever Young won older dirt male, Book'em Danno claimed male sprinter, and Britain-bred Notable Speech earned male turf horse. Female honorees were Super Corredora (2-year-old filly), Nitrogen (3-year-old filly), Thorpedo Anna (older dirt female), Shisospicy (female sprinter), and She Feels Pretty (female turf horse). Cool Jet received steeplechase honors.
These awards underscore a competitive year in horse racing, with Sovereignty's Triple Crown near-miss and Noffey's perfect juvenile campaign setting the stage for future rivalries.
