The latest NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll shows a narrow race between Sovereignty and Forever Young, with the current Horse of the Year just edging out to maintain the top position. Sovereignty, a Godolphin-bred colt trained by Bill Mott, secured 11 of 25 first-place votes and totaled 219 points. This year, his sole victory came in the Grade 1, 1 ⅛-mile Whitney Stakes, alongside a third-place finish in the G1 Stephen Foster and second in the G2 Oaklawn Handicap.
Forever Young, trained by Yoshito Yahagi and owned by Susumu Fujita, also earned 11 first-place votes but garnered 207 points. The five-year-old son of Real Steel triumphed in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup during his third outing this year, his first win since finishing second to Magnitude in the G1 Dubai World Cup. In his 2026 season opener, he successfully defended his G1 Saudi Cup title.
Knightsbridge, who dominated the G1 Pacific Classic by 6 ¼ lengths, ranks third with one first-place vote. This five-year-old Godolphin homebred, also trained by Mott, boasts four wins and one second-place across six starts this season. Prior to the Pacific Classic, he claimed the G3 Monmouth Cup by over 10 lengths and captured both the G3 Fred W. Hooper and G3 Gulfstream Park Mile earlier in the year.
In fourth place is Nitrogen, a four-year-old Medaglia d’Oro filly trained by Mark Casse for D. J. Stable. She impressed with a commanding win in the G2 Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park and holds victories in the G1 Ogden Phipps and G3 Bayakoa Stakes this season. Additionally, she placed second in the G1 Apple Blossom Handicap and G1 Whitney against male competitors and secured third in the G3 Azeri Stakes.
Magnitude, owned by Winchell Thoroughbred and trained by Steve Amussen, sits fifth with two first-place votes. The four-year-old Not This Time colt experienced his first loss of 2026, finishing sixth in the G1 Whitney, after earlier wins in the G1 Stephen Foster, G1 Dubai World Cup, and G3 Razorback Handicap.
Rounding out the top ten are Englishman (6), Golden Tempo (7), Deterministic (8), Notable Speech (9), and Splendora (10). Other contenders receiving votes include Fully Subscribed, Leading Change, Napoleon Solo, Burnham Square, U.S.S. Valor, T O Elvis, Rhetorical, Ways And Means, Explora, Tam Tam, Caroline St Beat, Kathynmarissa, and The Puma.
This poll highlights horses contending for the prestigious Horse of the Year title and will conclude on Tuesday, November 3, after the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Fan Take: This tight battle at the top of the NTRA poll keeps fans eagerly anticipating how the rest of the season will unfold, especially with the Breeders’ Cup looming as a defining moment. Such close competition fuels excitement and showcases the depth of talent in the sport, keeping horse racing vibrant and engaging for enthusiasts everywhere.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
