Knightsbridge Joins Sovereignty in Breeders' Cup Classic

Owners at Godolphin decided to enter Knightsbridge in the Breeders' Cup Classic, adding a second horse to the $7 million main event alongside stablemate Sovereignty. The decision came on Monday when post positions and morning-line odds were set for the 14-race meet. The Classic will be run at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.

Knightsbridge was the favorite in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 22, where he won by more than six lengths. That victory secured his first Grade I win and proved he could handle the 1 1/4 mile distance of the Breeders' Cup Classic. The 5-year-old previously won the Monmouth Cup at 1 1/8 miles, earning a Beyer speed figure of 122. Trainer Bill Mott said the team wanted a better chance of winning the Classic by having two horses in the race. Mott noted that Knightsbridge has won races at 7 furlongs, a mile, and longer distances.

The Classic field includes eight horses. Forever Young, the 2025 winner, is the 2-1 favorite. Sovereignty, the 2025 Kentucky Derby winner, is the 5-2 second favorite. Knightsbridge is the 9-2 third favorite. Other entrants include Golden Tempo, The Puma, Magnitude, TO Password, and Napoleon Solo. Forever Young is the first horse since Tiznow to try to win the race in consecutive years.

Trainer Chad Summers entered Napoleon Solo in the Classic, citing the horse's brave finish in the Travers Stakes. Summers felt the Preakness winner deserved another opportunity at 10 furlongs. TO Password also passed up the $1 million Dirt Mile to join the main event. In contrast, Further Ado and Forged Steel were entered in the Dirt Mile. Trainer Brad Cox said the Dirt Mile gives Further Ado the best opportunity to win.

Other connections made similar strategic choices. Trainer Bob Baffert entered his 2025 Filly & Mare Sprint winner, Splendora, in the Distaff. Ireland’s Aidan O’Brien placed Diamond Necklace in the Turf. Britain’s Andrew Balding kept Blue Bolt in the Filly & Mare Turf. Leonard Powell kept Domain Expansion on dirt for the Juvenile Fillies.

The 43rd Breeders' Cup begins with five races for 2-year-olds on Friday. Baffert’s Juvenile stars drew comfortable starting slots. Hughes is in post 5 and Salahudin is in post 3 for the Juvenile. Miss Monica is in post 5 for the Juvenile Fillies. The Classic is scheduled for Saturday at about 3:16 p.m. PDT.