Despite not participating in the Breeders' Cup after spiking a fever, Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty still reigned supreme in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred Poll released Nov. 4.
The poll, which is voted on by the national media, is designed to give a glimpse at the Horse of the Year race each season. Although remaining in his Del Mar stall for the highly anticipated $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), Sovereignty still received 24 of the 28 first-place votes.
The Breeders' Cup results did shake up the remainder of the top 10 as Forever Young received three first-place votes and moved into second on the rankings thanks to his half-length triumph over Sierra Leone in the Classic. Sierra Leone, who just missed winning his second consecutive Classic, received the final first-place vote and ranks third overall.
The Classic's third- and fourth-place finishers, Fierceness and Journalism, ranked fourth and sixth, respectively.
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Nysos earned enough respect from the voters for his gutsy triumph over champion Citizen Bull to place fifth in the rankings. Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Ted Noffey and Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Bentornato joined the top 10, respectively placing seventh and 10th.
This week's rankings were the final ones for the 2025 season. The Eclipse Awards will be awarded Jan. 22.
See the full Week 41 rankings.
