Sovereignty Withdraws from Dubai World Cup Race

Sovereignty, the newly crowned Horse of the Year, will not compete in the prestigious Dubai World Cup scheduled for March 28. Trainer Bill Mott has confirmed that the primary focus for this champion thoroughbred will be the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic in late 2026.

Sovereignty’s Race Schedule Adjustments

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, owner of Sovereignty and Vice President of the UAE, usually targets the Dubai World Cup, a race with a substantial purse of $12 million. Despite this tradition, Mott has ruled out Sovereignty’s participation in 2026.

Mott disclosed that Sovereignty is currently training at Payson Park in Florida and is a few weeks away from his first workout of the year. The specifics of his 4-year-old debut remain uncertain. Mott stated, “I’d like to make the Breeders’ Cup Classic at the end of the year and whatever makes any kind of sense in between.”

Previous Setbacks and Future Goals

• Sovereignty missed the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic due to a spike in temperature.
• His absence from that event may have influenced the decision to run him as a 4-year-old.
• A victory in the Breeders’ Cup would significantly enhance his value as a stallion.

Mott believes that winning the Breeders’ Cup will be crucial, especially since Sovereignty’s previous health issue might complicate his return. “If he would have won the Breeders’ Cup, it would have been more difficult to bring him back,” Mott said.

Potential Races for Sovereignty

Trainer Mott has also been in talks with NYRA officials regarding potential adjustments to the racing calendar. One suggestion was to move the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup to mid-September at Belmont Park, approximately six weeks before the Breeders’ Cup.

“It makes perfect sense,” he remarked, even though he initially did not consider having a horse for that race. Additionally, Mott mentioned the GI Whitney as another possibility for Sovereignty’s training schedule.

Challenges Ahead

Returning a Horse of the Year to the competitive arena carries inherent pressure. Mott, who has experienced this with Cigar, said, “You want to come back and be able to perform well. I just don’t want to mess anything up.” This underscores the responsibility that comes with managing a horse of Sovereignty’s caliber.

As the racing community looks forward to the 2026 season, all eyes will be on Sovereignty’s progress and how he navigates the challenges ahead.