Patience proved a virtue as 12 months later than planned, Sovereignty showcased his superiority to land the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Saturday.

Scratched after spiking a temperature only days before last year’s Classic, trainer Bill Mott could only watch on as Forever Young recorded a historic victory for Japan at Del Mar.

This time Sovereignty finally made it to the Classic start line and showed why last year’s Horse of the Year is every inch of a champion, tracking the pace set by stablemate Knightsbridge before Junior Alvarado moved his mount into contention rounding the home turn.

With the defending champion and Knightsbridge struggling to match the stretch acceleration shown by Sovereignty, it was left to The Puma to chase home the convincing winner, who gave Godolphin a first success in the feature event of the end-of-year world championships and Hall of Fame handler Mott a third, after Drosselmeyer in 2011 and the magnificent Cigar in 1995.

Mott said: “The only puzzling race was the Stephen Foster on a very slippery track and on his first run the horse that beat him was a previous Breeders’ Cup winner.

“Then we got to the Whitney and a track he appreciated and he just blew them away and one of them was (Distaff winner) Nitrogen.

“His last work here at Keeneland was very good and I knew if he showed up he would be hard to beat. He’s a one-in-a-lifetime horse that can open up like a train.

“I’m not so sure he wouldn’t have won it last year, but they took a huge risk and made the decision to keep him in training and it all came to fruition. What a great way to end the day.”

Alvarado added: “He broke good like he always does. Coming to the first turn I was in a good place.

“Down the back he was really travelling into the bridle and when I let him go at the three pole I knew nothing could get to him.”

Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “We’ve had several horses run in the Classic before and the boss (Sheikh Mohammed) wants to compete in these races.

“It was so special to have Sovereignty come back to win the Whitney and then win the last race on Breeders’ Cup day, which is the one everyone wants to win.”

Notable Speech beaten

Earlier on the card, Godolphin's Notable Speech has been denied back-to-back victories in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile by Deterministic, who landed an emotional victory for Miguel Clement at Keeneland.

Already a first Grade 1 winner for his trainer after he took over the licence following the death of his Hall of Fame father Christophe Clement, Deterministic arrived at Keeneland as the home team’s best chance of denying Charlie Appleby’s defending champion, despite having to settle for second when they clashed in the Woodbine Mile last month.

However, with an inspired Kendrick Carmouche in the plate, form was reversed with interest, as the 42-year-old jockey had his mount perfectly placed behind the speed set by Mike Smith aboard Cabo Spirit and kicked for home rounding the home bend, with William Buick still having upwards of seven lengths to find aboard Notable Speech.

The Godolphin candidate came home strongly in his final career start, but Deterministic had already built a lead too great to reel in, holding on to signal jubilant scenes in Kentucky. The William Haggas-trained Lake Forest was third under Cieren Fallon.

Appleby said: “I could see after about 100 yards that he didn’t break well. From there onwards it was all going to be hard work because the speed was down the inside and we didn’t get the position we would have liked.

“It’s also frustrating that he came home as strongly as he did, but he’s lost nothing in defeat and everyone knows what a good horse he is.”

Buick added: “He was a bit slowly away and I had to work to where I did, but I had to wait and the winner had gone.

“Take nothing away from him he’s run a super race and been a model of consistency.”

Clement said: “He’s meant the world to us. He gave us great happiness in a dark part of our lives, and he means a tremendous amount to a lot of people. It’s very rewarding for us to have our first Breeder’s Cup with him.

“He’s been top class for two seasons now. I thought he has been best turf horse last year and this year as well, if not just in America, but maybe even the world. I’m just delighted we were able to pull it off today.

“I think if anything we were a bit unlucky in Woodbine because we lost our six-race winning streak that day just with the way the race was running, race dynamics.

“Today was more of a real-run race. There was pace in their. It was a full field. I thought he was top class.

“At every stage of the race today, I thought he was in control and he looked amazing.”

Carmouche said: “I’ve been riding for 25 years. Coming up through the ranks as a jockey from Philadelphia Park and making it to New York, to Mr Clement sending this horse my way, it’s amazing.

“Just being on this stage to show my talent and let this horse turn the tables on such good European horses, I know the stretch beat us last time and beat our streak, but I knew today… I have the faith in Miguel that he bought this horse maybe 110% today that we could have turned the tables on this horse.

“Every step of the race I thought I was a winner. My first Breeders’ Cup. I have to say thanks to Miguel’s team and his family. It means a lot to the Carmouche family and everybody around the world to see me in this winner’s circle today for the Breeder’s Cup.”