'It's unbelievable' - huge Breeders' Cup blow for Godolphin as red-hot Classic favourite Sovereignty is ruled out

This year's Breeders' Cup will be without one of its biggest stars after red-hot favourite Sovereignty was ruled out of the Classic by trainer Bill Mott.

Mott admitted on Monday that the Godolphin-owned three-year-old was a doubtful runner in the Breeders' Cup Classic after he was found to have a raised temperature and a fever. The trainer has subsequently confirmed he will be taken out just three days before the race after not recovering sufficiently.

Speaking to FanDuel TV, Mott said: "I said if he re-spiked another fever he'd be out of the Breeders' Cup and he's done that, even though he had some medication in him. He's now doing antibiotics and seems to be well and looks bright, but he's definitely going to be scratched.

"It's unbelievable. He's still not missed an oat and eats all of his hay bag. He's got such a good attitude and I don't know if he knows he's sick."

Sovereignty was due to be one of the headline acts at the Breeders' Cup, having lit up American racing during a stunning summer. He struck in the Kentucky Derby in May and followed that up with a sublime performance in the Belmont Stakes, before registering a Racing Post Rating of 133 with a ten-length triumph in the Travers Stakes.

Bill Mott: "He's got such a good attitude and I don't know if he knows he's sick"Credit: Edward Whitaker

Mott said: "There's nothing we can do about it. When it comes to something like this, it's just really bad luck. You've got viruses and bacteria floating around in the air and for whatever reason his immune system didn't battle it off. 

"We'd love to showcase our horse in one of the best Breeders' Cup Classics of arguably all time, as there were so many people excited to see him run, including our entire team, but it's really bad timing."

His absence leaves a field of nine for the Classic, with last year's first and second Sierra Leone and Fierceness now sharing favouritism in their rematch.

The future of Sovereignty on the track remains up in the air, according to Mott.

"We'll send him back to Kentucky until a final decision is made on if he races next year or not," he said. "The final word will be from Sheikh Mohammed."

Saudi Cup winner and last year's third Forever Young adds extra spice for Japan, while Preakness Stakes winner Journalism also features.

Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (10.21 Del Mar, Saturday)
Ladbrokes: 3 Fierceness, Sierra Leone, 9-2 Forever Young, 6 Journalism, 7 Mindframe, 9 Baeza, 12 bar.

Read more on the 2025 Breeders' Cup:

Can Francis Graffard end France's Breeders' Cup drought? Arc-winning trainer nominates 6-1 shot as his best chance of glory

'Christophe will be scratching his head' - Aidan O'Brien reacts to tricky outside draws for hot Breeders' Cup juvenile fancies 

Willie Mullins has conquered British and Irish jump racing - can he now break new ground at the Breeders' Cup? 

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