Sovereignty tops 2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic rankings

Sovereignty has claimed the top spot in the first edition of the 2026 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings following a victory in the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. The Godolphin homebred, trained by Bill Mott, earned 392 total votes and 26 first-place votes.

Defending champion Forever Young follows in second place with 360 votes, while Magnitude ranks third with 272 votes. Both Forever Young and Magnitude have already secured automatic starting positions for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, which is scheduled for October 31 at Keeneland.

Sovereignty, the 2025 Horse of the Year, previously won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. Although he topped the rankings last year, he was unable to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Classic after being scratched due to a fever.