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| Staff Writer |
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“No horse has ever won the Saudi and Dubai World Cup. I know how deeply Mr. Yahagi wants to achieve that historic first. And now, that’s my dream, too,” said Sakai. On a cool February evening at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse, Ryusei Sakai etched his name into racing folklore with a perfectly timed ride aboard Forever Young to claim the world's richest horse race, the Gr.1 Saudi Cup. The 27-year-old Japanese jockey is set on making history as he prepares to attempt what no rider or horse has achieved – completing the Saudi Cup-Dubai World Cup double in the same season.
The victory in Saudi Arabia wasn't just another big race win; it was a masterclass in patience, confidence and tactical awareness from a jockey who has rapidly emerged as one of Japan's finest. Standing in his way for the Dubai showpiece will be a formidable field including the defending Dubai World Cup champion Laurel River and 2023 winner Ushba Tesoro, creating what promises to be one of the most anticipated clashes in recent racing history.
Born in Tokyo to a family steeped in racing tradition, Sakai's destiny seemed predetermined. His father, Hidemitsu Sakai, was a jockey on the local NAR circuit before becoming a trainer at Ohi Racecourse. With an uncle who rode professionally and a grandfather who worked as a stable attendant, Sakai's bloodlines were as impeccable for a potential jockey as those of the thoroughbreds he would eventually ride.
After graduating from the JRA apprentice jockey school in 2016, Sakai was apprenticed to trainer Yoshito Yahagi, beginning a partnership that would eventually take them to the pinnacle of global racing. This mentorship proved crucial for the young rider, providing him with international opportunities that would shape his riding style and tactical awareness.
By 2023, Sakai had established himself as one of Japan's premier riders, finishing seventh on the JRA leaderboard with 107 wins, a remarkable achievement for a jockey still in his mid-twenties. His rise continued in 2024, where he guided Forever Young to notable performances in the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic, laying the groundwork for their global campaign in 2025.
The Saudi Cup victory culminated in a long-standing partnership between Sakai and Forever Young. Having partnered with the Real Steel colt in all ten of his starts since debuting, the understanding between horse and rider was evident as they faced their greatest challenge.
When the gates flew open in Riyadh, Sakai, breaking from the broadest stall 14, executed his plan flawlessly.
"When it was our turn in the draw, most of the inside gates had already been taken. Forever Young has rarely had to race while getting sand kicked in his face, so rather than being stuck on the inside, I preferred an outer gate. In the end, I think we got a good draw," Sakai explained after the race.
The race unfolded into what many are already calling the most fantastic contest of 2025. Sakai positioned Forever Young perfectly, tracking the early leaders while watching his main rival, Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior, ridden by James McDonald.
The final stages produced a spectacle that will be remembered for generations. Many thought the race was over when Romantic Warrior moved before the final turn and surged to the lead. But atop his trusted partner, Sakai remained unshaken.
"I never once thought we would lose," the young rider admitted. "When the engine kicked in, I was already sure we would catch him before the finish line."
Even as Romantic Warrior, a ten-time Gr.1 winner and Hong Kong Horse of the Year, looked to have stolen a decisive advantage, Forever Young responded to Sakai's every urging. The duo gradually wore down their rival in the closing stages, getting up by a neck in a pulsating finish, setting a stakes record time of 1:49.09, with a whopping 10½ lengths back to the third-placed Ushba Tesoro.
The stadium erupted as Forever Young crossed the line, but Sakai's celebration was characteristically understated – a reflection of the quiet confidence that has become his trademark.
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The victory set the stage for Sakai and Forever Young's next challenge – the Gr.1 Dubai World Cup on April 5th at Meydan Racecourse. The significance of attempting this historic double hasn't been lost on Sakai or his mentor, trainer Yoshito Yahagi.
The 2,000-metre test at Meydan presents a slightly different challenge, with the additional 200 metres compared to the Saudi Cup, but Sakai views this positively.
"Last year, we won in Saudi Arabia and Dubai (the Saudi Derby and UAE Derby), so we know he handles Meydan's dirt track well. The distance increasing from 1800 to 2000 metres is a plus," he explained.
The preparations for Dubai began almost immediately after their Saudi triumph. Sakai has been instrumental in the training regimen, working closely with Yahagi to ensure Forever Young maintains his peak condition.
"The horse is accustomed to travel, so I felt his condition was excellent after arriving on-site in Saudi," Sakai reflected. This experience will prove invaluable as they prepare for another international campaign, with Forever Young having raced successfully in Japan, the United States, and the Middle East.
Yahagi, who has already tasted Saudi Cup success with Panthalassa in 2023, has been clear about his ambitions: "No one has ever gone from a win of the Saudi Cup to a win of the World Cup, and that's something I'd like to achieve."
The paths of Sakai and Forever Young have been intertwined since the horse's debut. The colt's international campaign in 2024 saw him finish a gallant third in both the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby and the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic. This valuable experience has prepared him for these global challenges.
Owned by Susumu Fujita, the CEO and president of CyberAgent, Inc., Forever Young is part of an impressive racing operation that has rapidly become a force on the international stage. The Saudi Cup victory was particularly sweet for Fujita, who also saw his Shin Emperor win the Gr.2 Neom Turf Cup on the same card, with his combined earnings from the day exceeding US$11.5 million.
Forever Young's Saudi Cup triumph earned him a Timeform rating of 131, identifying him as the highest-rated dirt horse in the world, 2lb clear of Romantic Warrior. This rating places him as the clear favourite for the Dubai World Cup.
Timeform handicapper Jake Price noted: "Whilst Forever Young isn't the flashiest, he's as genuine as they come and sure knows how to win. He also has some of the best international form on the dirt from last year to his name and, with prior experience of Meydan to boot, should take plenty of beating in the Dubai World Cup."
For Sakai, the journey to global racing success has been guided by Yahagi, a trainer who has shown immense faith in his abilities. This relationship has been pivotal to Sakai's development as an international jockey.
"Since my days as an apprentice, Mr. Yahagi has taken me around the world, giving me invaluable experiences. I wanted to repay him somehow, and winning the richest race in the world with his horse means everything to me," Sakai reflected after the Saudi Cup.
The victory in Saudi Arabia carried significant financial rewards, with Sakai's jockey share from the day's rides totalling more than US$11 million. However, for the young rider, the chance to create history alongside his mentor means more than monetary rewards.
This mentor-protégé relationship extends beyond the racetrack. Yahagi's confidence in Sakai has never wavered, even with the temptation to employ more established international jockeys for significant races. This loyalty has fostered a mutual trust in their shared approach to racing's biggest challenges.
The Dubai World Cup field promises to be formidable. Laurel River, who shares a Timeform rating of 129 with Romantic Warrior, will be looking to defend his crown. Meanwhile, Ushba Tesoro, third in the Saudi Cup and winner of the 2023 Dubai World Cup, will be seeking redemption.
Adding further intrigue to the contest, Romantic Warrior is set to return to turf in the Gr.1 Dubai Turf on the same card, avoiding a rematch with Forever Young. This decision by connections highlights the respect earned by Sakai and his mount after their Saudi Cup triumph.
But with the highest-rated dirt horse in the world beneath him and the confidence gained from their Saudi success, Sakai approaches the challenge with quiet optimism.
"As long as we can bring out the best in Forever Young, I believe we won't disappoint," he said.
The racing world now turns its attention to Meydan on April 5th, where a young Japanese jockey will attempt to complete a historic double and cement his place among the elite riders on the global stage. For Ryusei Sakai, the journey continues, guided by experience beyond his years and an unwavering belief in his equine partner.
Whatever the outcome in Dubai, Sakai and Forever Young have already secured a place in racing history. Their Saudi Cup victory has assured them of an invitation to the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar in October, offering yet another opportunity for this remarkable partnership to showcase their talents on the world stage.
Sakai's rise has been meteoric from the JRA apprentice school to the winner's enclosure of the world's richest race. Now, Dubai awaits, and with it, the chance to make history.