Sovereignty was crowned 2025 Horse of the Year in the United States

In a nearly unanimous decision, the champion took the top honor at the end of another edition of the Eclipse Awards

Sovereignty had a flawless campaign / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

PALM BEACH, Florida (Special for Turf Diario).— American horse racing celebrated its gala night at the historic The Breakers Palm Beach, where the NTRA, Daily Racing Form, and NTWAB joined forces to honor the excellence of an already unforgettable 2025 season. Within the framework of the 55th Annual Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards, the top distinction brought no surprises but plenty of emotion: Sovereignty, the colt who transfixed the world with his double in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Belmont Stakes (G1), was anointed Horse of the Year.

The Bill Mott trainee, defending the Godolphin silks, received an overwhelming majority of 201 votes out of a possible 220, leaving behind the phenomenal Japanese runner Forever Young (Real Steel)—winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)—and the undefeated Ted Noffey (Into Mischief). Sovereignty’s campaign was a masterclass in efficiency and class, adding victories in the Travers Stakes (G1), the Jim Dandy (G2), and the Fountain of Youth (G2), always under the guidance of Venezuelan jockey Junior Alvarado. As expected, the bay also took home the trophy for Champion Three-Year-Old Male, rounding out a historic day for his connections.

Godolphin’s hegemony did not stop there. The international powerhouse led the Owner category for the ninth time and, for the fifth consecutive season, secured the Breeder award. With record earnings of US$ 22,395,556, Sheikh Mohammed’s squad completed a feat not seen since 1952 (by Calumet Farm), achieving the double in the Oaks (G1)with Good Cheer (Medaglia D'Oro) and in the Derby with Sovereignty. Additionally, their representative Notable Speech (Dubawi) was honored as Champion Turf Male following his stellar campaign in the North.

Among the professionals, the aforementioned Bill Mott consolidated his status as a living legend by obtaining his fifth Eclipse for Trainer of the Year, adding this success to those achieved with greats such as Cigar (Palace Music) and Cody’s Wish (Curlin).

Meanwhile, Frenchman Flavien Prat was elected Jockey of the Year for the second consecutive year, following a season in which he accumulated 46 graded stakes wins and 13 G1 victories, including successes with Nysos (Nyquist) and Splendora (Audible) in the Breeders’ Cup series. Among riders, the night was completed with the award for apprentice Pietro Moran, the absolute dominant force in the Canadian standings.

The remaining equine categories reflected the parity and high level of the industry. Forever Young (Real Steel) gave Japan its second Eclipse thanks to his work as Champion Older Dirt Male, while the stellar Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) added a new trophy to her cabinet as Champion Older Dirt Female after shining in the Apple Blossom (G1)and the Personal Ensign (G1). The filly Nitrogen (Medaglia D'Oro) took the title of Champion Three-Year-Old Filly for her versatility on both surfaces, and sprinters Book’em Danno (Bucchero) and Shisospicy (Mitole) (winner of the Turf Sprint) were recognized as the best in their respective sexes.

In the juvenile categories, the undefeated Ted Noffey was named Champion Two-Year-Old Male after his triumphant path through Keeneland and Del Mar, while Super Corredora (Gun Runner) took the crown among the fillies following her devastating victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). The steeplechase division went to Cool Jet (Jet Away), the 9-year-old veteran who dominated the Commonwealth Cup Stakes.

The gala also had room for remembrance and honor. Edward L. Bowen was posthumously distinguished with the Eclipse Award of Merit, while iconic announcer Trevor Denman and historic New York starter Bob Duncan received special awards for their careers of excellence.

It was, ultimately, a night of tribute to the Thoroughbred, closing a 2025 that returned that classic brilliance to North American racing through an undisputed champion like Sovereignty, whose consecration as Horse of the Yearsurprised no one.