LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Sovereignty won the $7-million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Saturday, denying Forever Young a rare repeat in the showpiece of the racing extravaganza.

Trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, 2025 Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty seized his first chance at the Classic after he was scratched from last year’s edition because of a fever.

He was beaten twice to open his 2026 campaign, and his Classic participation was again threatened by a hoof abscess, but Alvarado said he never doubted that Sovereignty could win the Classic.

Junior Alvarado celebrates atop Sovereignty #2, after winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic during the 43rd Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland Horse Track on October 31, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo: AFP)

“What he did today, Sovereignty, it’s just spectacular,” Alvarado said. “We really wanted to run so bad the Classic last year. I’m just so glad the Godolphin team gave us a chance to keep him in training and get to do what he did today.”

Sovereignty settled in well behind pace-setting stablemate Knightsbridge and left no doubt when Alvarado set him loose at the top of the stretch.

He finished ahead of The Puma, with Knightsbridge third.

Owner Michael Banahan (left) celebrates with Junior Alvarado after he rode Sovereignty, to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic during the 43rd Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland Horse Track on October 31, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo: AFP)

“Turning in the back side…I was like, oh boy, it’s like I can’t wait to turn for home because I knew the power I have underneath me,” Alvarado said.

“The way he was travelling the whole time, letting me know, like, I’m here for you. I never had a doubt the whole way around.”

Forever Young, who gave Japan a first Classic winner at Del Mar last year, ran just behind Knightsbridge for much of the way but faded to finish fifth.

Sovereignty (left), ridden by Junior Alvarado, runs down the stretch to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic during the 43rd Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland Horse Track on October 31, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo: AFP)

The well-travelled star trained by Yoshito Yahagi had been vying to join Tiznow as the only horses to win back-to-back Breeders’ Cup Classics.

Yahagi said he thought jockey Ryusei Sakai had Forever Young perfectly positioned but when it came to the stretch run “there was no response”.

“I feel apologetic, but above all I’m relieved that the horse came back safely,” Yahagi said.