NTRA

Whitney Stakes (G1) winner and reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty is expected to start in the October 31 Breeders’ Cup Classic, a race he missed last year. The 4-year-old Into Mischief colt most recently worked four furlongs at Saratoga on October 2nd for trainer Bill Mott.

Nitrogen, the Eclipse Award 2025 Champion Three-Year-Old Filly, handles business in the Beldame Stakes (G2) at the new Belmont Park. The 4-year-old Medaglia d’Oro filly was coming off a second-place finish to Sovereignty in the Whitney Stakes (G1) and has compiled a 2026 record of 6-3-2-1 for owner D.J. Stable and Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse. Nitrogen is expected to start next in the Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

Well-traveled Forever Young (JPN), the Eclipse Award 2025 Champion Older Dirt Male, wins the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on opening day of the new Belmont Park. The 5-year-old son of Real Steel (JPN) has earned more than $32 million has never been worse than third in 16 career starts, including 12 wins. In 2026, Forever Young has two wins in three starts, having also won the Saudi Cup (G1) in February.

Godolphin’s homebred Notable Speech (GB), under jockey William Buick, wins the Woodbine Mile for the second consecutive year. The 5-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE) defeated Deterministic, who was on a six-race winning streak. Notable Speech is trained by Charles Appleby and is a Godolphin homebred.

Godolphin’s reigning Horse of the Year, Sovereignty, won the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes in his last start. The 4-year-old Into Mischief colt may not run in G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on September 18 as originally planned due to a rear hoof abscess, according to trainer Bill Mott.

CRK Stable’s Englishman and jockey Jose Ortiz cruise to an easy win in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes on Travers Stakes Day at Saratoga Race Course. The 3-year-old Maxfield colt, trained by Cherie DeVaux, now has back-to-back Grade 1 wins, having won the Woody Stephens Stakes earlier in the meet.

Godolphin’s Knightsbridge and jockey Junior Alvarado cruise to a 6 ¼-length win in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. Knightsbridge was making just his second start around two turns in 12 lifetime starts. The 5-year-old son of Godolphin stallion Nyquist has won four of six starts in 2026 for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

LEXINGTON, KY (August 24, 2026) – The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today that Marshall Gramm has withdrawn from the 2027 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC). Further, after consultation with the NHC Players Committee, the NTRA has deemed all NHC contest participation and NHC Tour membership for Gramm be suspended pending further investigation by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) alleging rules violations by Gramm.

Godolphin’s Knightsbridge, shown above after a dominant win in the Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3) with Flavien Prat aboard, looks to stretch out in Del Mar’s prestigious 1-1/4 mile Pacific Classic (G1) on August 22. The 5-year-old son of Godolphin stallion Nyquist has won three of five starts in 2026 for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll – August 10, 2026 Week 29 of the 2026 NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll and the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), covering racing performances through August 9. Voting is conducted by national media. The 3-Year-Old poll represents horses competing up and through the Triple Crown. The Top Thoroughbred poll represents horses competing for Horse of the Year.