Forever Young holds off Nysos to retain Saudi Cup crown

Japan’s Forever Young confirmed his status as the world’s top-ranked dirt horse, and a globetrotting legend, by successfully defending his title in Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup (G1). Driving through on the rail, Yoshito Yahagi’s odds-on favorite bested Bob Baffert’s Nysos to become the first two-time winner of the world’s richest race.

Baffert had envisioned a “King Kong versus Godzilla” showdown between Forever Young and Nysos, with hopes that his other runner, Nevada Beach, would be involved too. While Nevada Beach never factored after failing to break cleanly, Nysos validated the Hall of Famer’s assessment that he was his best-ever Saudi Cup chance.

The only problem was that Nysos bumped into arguably the best-ever Saudi Cup winner. Baffert knew that in advance as well, describing Forever Young as a “unicorn” for his extraordinary resume.

Susumu Fujita’s colorbearer indeed has reached quasi-mythical status. Two Saudi Cups, a history-making Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) trophy, an agonizing third in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1), and a perfect record at home in Japan are just a few key bullet points. 

Forever Young has padded his bankroll to more than $29.3 million, and at this rate, he’s bound to become racing’s second $30 million man. The first to surpass that threshold, Hong Kong supremo Romantic Warrior, was runner-up to Forever Young in last year’s epic Saudi Cup.

One of the talking points going into Saturday’s renewal was that there was no rival equal to Romantic Warrior this time. Yet Nysos had the vibe of an ultra-talented horse with more up his sleeve, and he accordingly went off as the 9-2 second choice. 

Once again, the Saudi Cup delivered an eminently logical result as the right two dominated the finish. If the tussle wasn’t as suspenseful as a year ago, when Romantic Warrior got the jump on Forever Young, Nysos launched a sustained bid that kept the 1-5 favorite engaged for the length of the stretch.

Well ridden by regular pilot Ryusei Sakai, Forever Young camped in a ground-saving spot just behind the early leaders. Thundersquall, one of the local hopes, strode forward, closely tracked by Nysos, with fellow U.S. shipper Banishing prominent on the inside. Forever Young was pocketed at that stage, but he wouldn’t be held up for long.

Although Banishing advanced on the rail to take over from Thunderquall, he shifted out turning for home, and the gap opened for Forever Young. Meanwhile, Nysos was attacking wider out. The stage was set for another memorable stretch drive as they pulled clear of the rest.

Forever Young leveraged his rail run and edged away from Nysos, who persevered in pursuit. Trying to come again late, Nysos went down fighting by a length. 

Still, Forever Young always appeared to have his measure while clocking 1:51.03. His final time was some way off last year’s stakes record of 1:49.09, although it’s hazardous to compare raw times given variable conditions. 

There was a 3 3/4-length gap back to Louisiana-bred Tumbarumba in third. Now based in the Mideast, he did his home state proud on Mardi Gras weekend. Bishops Bay was in the scrum before fading in the final strides for fourth, another length back. 

Japan’s Luxor Cafe checked in fifth, trailed by compatriot Sunrise Zipangu, Mhally, Banishing, Rattle N Roll, Ameerat Alzamaan, Thundersquall, Nevada Beach, and Haqeet. Star of Wonder, arguably the leading local, was scratched because of a rule violation – namely, his legs were treated with a “topical substance.”

Forever Young’s record stands at 14-11-0-3, including other Mideast laurels in the 2024 Saudi Derby (G3) and UAE Derby (G2). Bred by Northern Racing, the son of Real Steel garnered the highest rating ever for a Japanese dirt juvenile when crushing the 2023 Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun. His perfect record at home also comprises the JBC Nisai Yushun, 2024 Japan Dirt Classic and Tokyo Daishoten (G1), and 2025 Nippon TV Hai (G2). 

His only losses have come in his stretch-troubled Kentucky Derby, the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic, and the 2025 Dubai World Cup (G1), where he was likely regressing from a gut-buster in Saudi. Just as he gained revenge in the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar, he’s eligible to set the record straight back in Dubai on March 28. 

The Saudi Cup serves as a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but Yahagi is circumspect, if not questionable, about a title defense at Keeneland. If Forever Young is absent, Nysos could be just the one to advertise his form. 

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