Sovereignty crowns Keeneland as Skyhook lands Golden Eagle

Sovereignty prevails in Breeders' Cup Classic for Mott

Sovereignty won the Breeders' Cup Classic, with trainer Bill Mott describing him in glowing terms afterwards. "I've had a couple good ones, but you could almost say he's a once-in-a-lifetime horse," Mott said. "He's a magnificent horse."

Pedigrees: Sovereignty

Defiantly withdrawn from Melbourne Cup on vet advice

Joseph O'Brien's leading Melbourne Cup contender Defiantly, a 10-1 chance, has been withdrawn by order of the stewards on veterinary advice after failing a further inspection on Saturday, having shown changes in his gait on Thursday. Kevin Blake, speaking for the O'Brien team, said the four-year-old had not missed any ridden exercise and would instead be entered for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, as will Small Fry. Stablemate Kizlyar secured the final place in the 24-runner field, while Dylan Browne McMonagle switches to Sons And Lovers, leaving Ryan Moore without a ride. Wine Dark Sea and Enfjaar passed further inspections; Stinger Glass and Saint George had already been ruled out.

Pedigrees: Defiantly, Small Fry, Kizlyar, Sons And Lovers, Trustyourinstinct, James J Braddock, Goodie Two Shoes, Wine Dark Sea, Enfjaar, Stinger Glass, Saint George, Hopewell Rock, Point Of Law, Shockletz, Middle Earth, Juja

The Next Episode wins Coolmore Stud Stakes for Maher

The Next Episode (Snitzel) confirmed his stud future with a win in Saturday's Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m). The colt, the top-priced colt at last year's Magic Millions Yearling Sale, was sent out a well-supported $3.20 for trainer Ciaron Maher. ANZ Bloodstock News reports the result as the pay-off for a heavily committed plan with the youngster.

Pedigrees: The Next Episode

T O Elvis runs down Englishman in Breeders' Cup Sprint

Japan's T O Elvis (Volatile) surged past Englishman in the final strides to win the Grade 1 CyGames Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland in 1:08.20, giving Japan its first Breeders' Cup win of the weekend. The 5-2 second choice was held up well back as Liam Smith led 4-5 favourite Englishman through fractions of :21.68 and :44.42, before clearing traffic at the furlong pole. It was a sixth straight win for the son of Volatile, bred in Kentucky by Jeff and Melissa Prunzik out of the Curlin mare Stopshoppingdebbie. Owner Tomoya Ozasa and trainer Daisuke Takayanagi both indicated he would return to race in the United States.

Pedigrees: T O Elvis, Englishman, Liam Smith, Forever Young

Skyhook takes first Group 1 Golden Eagle in record time

Skyhook (Written Tycoon) won the inaugural Group 1 running of the A$10-million Golden Eagle at Royal Randwick, pipping Decorum (Snitzel) on the line in record time after Beiwacht and Apocalyptic set the pace. The four-year-old entire, trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, had won the G2 Theo Marks Stakes and G2 Shannon Stakes this spring before going down to Apocalyptic in the Listed Silver Eagle. "He's won his good race now and I think there's more in him," Ryan said, nominating February's Apollo Stakes as an autumn target. Bred by Arrowfield Stud and bought for A$575,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Skyhook was conceived in Written Tycoon's single season at Arrowfield and is out of Madame Pauline.

Pedigrees: Skyhook, Decorum, Beiwacht, Apocalyptic, Madame Pauline

Breeders' Cup attendance rises, handle slips 1.2 per cent

All-sources common-pool handle for the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland was $167,930,278, made up of $114,303,297 on Saturday's 12-race card and $53,626,981 on the 10-race Future Stars Friday card. Handle on the 14 Breeders' Cup races was $146,431,783, down 1.2 per cent on 2025. Two-day attendance was 81,604, up from 65,232 at Del Mar last year, with 45,775 on Saturday and on-track handle of $18,322,068. International separate pool figures are not yet available, and the 44th edition returns to Belmont Park on 29-30 October 2027, the first New York running since 2005.