Preview - 2024 UAE Derby: Who Will Come Out On Top?

This year, the competition promises to be intense, with 11 talented horses vying for the top spot. 

Yoshito Yahagi trained Forever Young will try to book his Kentucky Derby ticket in the UAE Derby. The Japanese star Forever Young sets the bar pretty high. The Japanese star is undefeated in four starts, including a determined victory in the Gr.3 Saudi Derby last month when his late surge nailed Book‘em Danno by a head in what the Brits call “a desperate finish.” 

Forever Young overcame a bad start, a very wide trip and not changing leads in the stretch. At odds-on he triumphed over all odds at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack.

“I was worried, but we finished very strongly,” jockey Ryusei Sakai said. “He hasn’t fully matured but he is improving now. I think he’ll go on to win big races in a number of other countries.”

He is expected to improve in his second run of the season and should enjoy the UAE Derby distance, making him a strong contender.

“Stretching out in distance is very welcome for him,” said Yoshito Yahagi, whom you may remember from the 2021 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar. His wins with Marche Lorraine (Distaff) and Loves Only You (Filly & Mare Turf) were firsts for Japan at the world championships.

Meet Yahagi: Japan's Leading Horse Trainer

Yahagi, 63, is the gold standard for Japanese horsemen, with a status comparable to Bob Baffert’s. He led Japan in purse earnings the past five years and in wins four times. He trained Contrail to the 2020 Japanese Triple Crown and took last year’s US$20 million Saudi Cup with Panthalassa.

The UAE Derby is worth US$2.5 million, but what Yahagi wants most are the 100 Kentucky Derby points that go to the winner. None of its runners has been better than fifth in Louisville, but Yahagi can do breakthroughs.

“At Meydan, I hope he has a very good race to qualify for the Kentucky Derby,” Yahagi said. “We look forward to bringing him to the U.S.”

Henry Adams, trained by Irish mastermind Aiden O'Brien, is also one to watch. While he wasn't quite up to beating Group One competition in Europe last year, he has the potential to shine on dirt. He could be a surprise package in the UAE Derby.

Mendelssohn Bay: A Strong Contender In Racing

Bhupat Seemar's Mendelssohn Bay, winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas, is a strong contender who cannot be counted out of the mix. His pedigree suggests that stretching out over 1,900 meters is within his wheelhouse.

The lone U.S. hopeful in the UAE Derby is Pandagate, who won the one-mile Gander S by 5 1/2 lengths. He is a strong stretch runner with the pedigree to shine over 1,900 meters, making him an important contender.

Other horses in the lineup include Auto Bahn, Oasis Boy, Rock Walk, Ballon d'Or, George Tesoro, Guns and Glory, and Navy Seal. While they may be longshots, any of them has the potential to surprise us with a strong performance.

It is almost impossible to predict who will come out on top in the US$1 million feature, but it promises to be a thrilling competition that horse racing enthusiasts won't want to miss.