Sovereignty, the current Horse of the Year, has returned to training following a setback caused by a foot abscess that forced him to withdraw from the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, according to the Daily Racing Form. The Godolphin-owned horse missed almost two weeks of preparation after the abscess appeared on September 4. Trainer Bill Mott told DRF that if Sovereignty can resume a consistent training schedule, he aims to target the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on October 31.
“He was jogging yesterday and today,” Mott said from Belmont Park on Thursday. “Everything looked good. He may begin galloping soon. We’ll gradually test his recovery and increase his workload step-by-step.”
Sovereignty’s most recent victory was a commanding 4 ¾-length win in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga on August 8. After winning the 2025 G1 Travers Stakes, Sovereignty prepared for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar but had to be scratched as the 6-5 favorite because of a fever. The time between the 2025 Travers and the Breeders’ Cup was 10 weeks, while this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic will occur 12 weeks after the Whitney.
In 2026, Sovereignty has raced three times, opening the season with losses in the G2 Oaklawn Handicap and G1 Stephen Foster before rebounding with his Whitney win. He has since completed two four-furlong workouts on August 21 and 28.
For more details, visit drf.com.
This article was first published by Paulick Report on September 17, 2026.
Fan Take: Sovereignty’s recovery and potential return to form could spark an exciting showdown at the Breeders’ Cup Classic, bringing immense anticipation for fans of elite Thoroughbred racing. His comeback story highlights the resilience and careful management essential in high-level racing, underscoring the drama and unpredictability that make the sport so captivating.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
