Forever Young Wins Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont
Gold Cup Win Locks In Classic Return
Forever Young won the Gr.1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at the reopened Belmont Park on Friday, September 18, 2026, defeating Stars and Stripes by three and a quarter lengths over 1m 2f in a final time of 2:01.23.
The result extended his career record to 12 wins from 16 starts and lifted his earnings to US$32,313,590. Trained by Yoshito Yahagi for owner Susumu Fujita, the 5YO son of Real Steel (JPN) was ridden by Ryusei Sakai, who has partnered him in every one of his races.
The win secured a fees-paid, automatic berth into the US$7,000,000 Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland Race Course on October 31, 2026, through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. Forever Young had already clinched a place in the Classic earlier in 2026 through his win in the Saudi Cup.
The Gold Cup field shrank from an original seven entries to four starters. Banishing and Chunk of Gold were scratched before raceday, Render Judgment was withdrawn on veterinary grounds on the day itself, and 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty had already been ruled out earlier with a foot abscess, leaving Forever Young to face a much-reduced group of rivals.
Yoshito Yahagi did not disguise his mixed view of the performance itself. "Obviously, we won this race, that of course I'm 100 percent satisfied by that. Forever Young, performance-wise, I'm not happy; 50 percent satisfied how he performed today," he said.
A Six-Month Layoff Ends at Belmont
Sakai's assessment after dismounting centred on the pace of the contest rather than the outcome. "He doesn't have any problem with a slow pace, but I wish he had a faster pace to prepare for the Breeders' Cup," the jockey said.
The Gold Cup marked Forever Young's first start in almost six months, since he finished second to Magnitude in the Gr.1 Dubai World Cup on March 28, 2026. He also faced a smaller field than had originally been declared, with three of the seven entries failing to make the start.
Bill Mott, trainer of beaten runner Stars and Stripes as well as the absent Sovereignty and fellow runner Baeza, pointed to what might have been. "Sovereignty would have liked to be here. He may have been able to entertain [Forever Young]," Mott said.
Keeneland Now the Focus for Yahagi Camp
Yahagi went further in describing where Forever Young sits among the horses he has trained. "I think I will never see a horse like this again in my life and in my career," he said.
Forever Young is the reigning Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic champion, having won the 2025 edition at Del Mar by half a length over Sierra Leone, a result that also earned him the 2025 Eclipse Award as champion older dirt male. He is now attempting to become only the second horse to win the Classic twice, following Tiznow's back-to-back victories in 2000 and 2001.
Andrew Offerman, senior vice president of racing and operations for NYRA, welcomed the horse's presence on the reopened track. "We are thrilled to welcome Forever Young to the Jockey Club Gold Cup at the new Belmont Park," he said, tying the horse's participation to the venue's own return after a three-year, roughly US$500 million reconstruction.
Dora Delgado, executive vice president and chief racing officer of Breeders' Cup Limited, framed the win within the wider shape of his 2026 campaign. "Forever Young has captured the hearts of racing fans around the globe, and we are delighted his connections are targeting the Breeders' Cup World Championships as the culmination of his 2026 season," she said.
The victory adds another line to a season already built around the Classic as its ultimate target, with the Saudi Cup and Gold Cup serving as staging posts along the way. Sovereignty's absence and the reduced field left the form of the performance open to differing readings from Yahagi and Sakai, even as the result itself stood.
Forever Young will remain stabled at Belmont Park before shipping to Keeneland Race Course on October 20, 2026, in preparation for the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic on October 31, 2026, where he will attempt to defend the title he won at Del Mar in 2025.