Sovereignty gained the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, securing a $3.1 million prize from the $5 million purse. The racehorse beat the favourite Journalism within the final stretch. Ridden by jockey Junior Alvarado, Sovereignty is educated by William I. Mott, and owned by Godolphin.
Sovereignty gained the Kentucky Derby 2025(Getty Photos by way of AFP) Who’s Junior Alvarado?
Wilmer Alexander Alvarado, popularly generally known as Junior Alvarado, was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. The 38-year-old’s father was a jockey, as per Blood-Horse. Alvardo moved to the US in 2007 and began off on Florida tracks like Calder Race Course, per Equibase.
Profession Highlights:
Over 2,200 wins and $114 million in purse earnings as of 2025, per Equibase.
Notable wins embrace the 2021 Preakness Stakes (Rombauer), 2019 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (Blue Prize), and 2018 Manhattan Stakes (Spring High quality), per Blood-Horse.
First jockey to win six races on a single card at Saratoga (August 2012), per NYRA.
2025 Derby was his first Kentucky Derby win in 9 makes an attempt, with a greatest prior end of sixth (Mohaymen, 2016).
Publish-race, Alvarado instructed NBC Sports activities: “This is a dream come true. Sovereignty gave me everything, and I just guided him home.”
Who’s Sovereignty’s coach, William I. Mott?
Born in South Dakota, William I. Mott began coaching on the age of 15. The 71-year-old labored for his father, who was a veterinarian. Mott moved to Kentucky within the Seventies, coaching for house owners like Bert and Diana Firestone.
Profession Highlights:
Corridor of Fame inductee (1998, age 45), one of many youngest trainers honored, per the Nationwide Museum of Racing.
Over 5,600 wins and $340 million in earnings as of 2025, per Equibase.
Mott instructed the Courier-Journal post-race: “Sovereignty showed his heart today. This win means everything after so many close calls.”
Sovereignty’s proprietor
Based in 1992 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, Godolphin has main stables in Dubai, the US, Europe, and Australia