Sovereignty Wins 151st Kentucky Derby, Ending Godolphin's 13-Year Drought

Sovereignty, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, won the 151st Kentucky Derby in a dramatic finish over favorite Journalism, giving owner Godolphin Racing its first Derby victory after a long winless streak. The race was contested on a muddy track, with Sovereignty pulling away in the final stretch under jockey Junior Alvarado. This victory marked Mott's second Derby win, but his first where his horse crossed the finish line first, as his previous win in 2019 came after a disqualification. The weekend was a major success for Godolphin, who also saw their filly Good Cheer win the Kentucky Oaks and another horse win the 2,000 Guineas in Britain. The result sparked playful commentary online, as the names 'Sovereignty' and 'Journalism' inspired broader metaphorical takes, particularly among political commentators. All horses in the Derby field were descendants of the legendary Secretariat, continuing his legacy at Churchill Downs.