Forever Young Makes Saudi Cup History
Japan's Champion Holds Off Nysos In Riyadh Thriller
Defending champion and dual-hemisphere superstar Forever Young cemented his place among the greats of modern dirt racing on Saturday evening, becoming the first horse to win the Gr.1 Saudi Cup twice with a commanding display at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.
Making his first start since capturing the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar in November, the 5YO entire — trained by Yoshito Yahagi and ridden by Ryusei Sakai — stopped the clock at 1:51.027 over 1800 metres to collect the US$10 million winner's purse from the world's richest race, worth US$20 million (SAR75 million) in total.
In the days leading up to the contest, Yahagi had spoken candidly about both the pressure and privilege of returning with his stable star. "Maybe this is going to be Forever Young's last time to be able to compete in the Saudi Cup, so we will do our best to bring his full potential," the trainer told reporters in Riyadh, as quoted by Yahoo Sports. Despite admitting his charge was around 95 per cent fit ahead of the race, that proved more than sufficient against 13 rivals drawn from four continents.
A Battle Worthy Of The Billing
Breaking cleanly from stall six, Sakai settled Forever Young in a handy stalking position through the early exchanges, never far from the pace. As the field rounded the home turn, the Japanese raider began to assert his authority, moving smoothly to the front and quickly putting daylight between himself and the chasing pack. Bob Baffert's highly regarded Nysos, the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner partnered by Flavien Prat from a wide draw in stall 12, ran on gamely to finish second, beaten by a length in a time of 1:51.218, earning US$3.5 million for connections.
The American trainer's pre-race description of the clash as "King Kong versus Godzilla" proved remarkably apt, though on this occasion the Japanese giant prevailed decisively once more.
The third home was Tumbarumba, the Wathnan Racing-owned 6YO gelding trained by Hamad Al Jehani and ridden by James Doyle. The former American dirt campaigner, who had run a creditable second in the Gr.1 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan last month, stayed on stoutly to finish three and three-quarter lengths behind the winner, confirming himself as a horse of considerable talent at the highest level and picking up US$2 million in prize money.
A Legacy Beyond Question
The victory extended Forever Young's remarkable unbeaten record in Saudi Arabia to three from three, following his Saudi Derby triumph in 2024 and last year's memorable defeat of Hong Kong legend Romantic Warrior. By the stallion Real Steel out of a Deep Impact mare, his career earnings now surpass US$29 million, placing him firmly in contention to challenge Romantic Warrior's all-time record.
Baffert, whose runners have now finished second in the Saudi Cup on three occasions, was generous in defeat. "Forever Young, he's a unicorn. I have so much respect for that horse," the Hall of Fame trainer had said in the build-up, as reported by the Thoroughbred Daily News.
For Yahagi, who also trained 2023 Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa, the result reaffirmed his status as one of the most formidable operators on the global stage. The trainer's ability to campaign horses across international borders with such consistent success is without parallel in the modern era. With the Dubai World Cup meeting on the horizon next month, the racing world will wait with great anticipation to discover whether Forever Young's extraordinary career has further chapters still to be written
1st. Forever Young (T: Yoshito Yahagi / J: Ryusei Sakai)
2nd. Nysos (T: Bob Baffert / J: Flavien Prat)
3rd. Tumbarumba (T: Hamad Al Jehani / J: James Doyle)