Forever Young seeks more riches, history in Saudi Cup title defense

Currently ranked as the world’s top dirt horse, Forever Young has already made an indelible mark upon racing history. As the first Japanese winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), he earned championship honors in both North America and at home. In addition to his Eclipse Award, he was the first dirt specialist to be voted the Japan Racing Association’s Horse of the Year.

The Yoshito Yahagi trainee will try to burnish his historic resume further by defending his title in Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), where he aims to become the first two-time winner of the world’s richest race.

Last year’s Saudi Cup produced a stretch rally for the ages, as Forever Young reeled in Romantic Warrior. He won’t have to catch Romantic Warrior at King Abdulaziz Racecourse again, since that Hong Kong legend is staying on his home turf. But Forever Young is chasing Romantic Warrior’s bankroll as the world’s all-time leading earner, and a second Saudi Cup windfall would push him nearer to the $30-million threshold. 

Forever Young, drawn in post 6, will be heavily favored to repeat with regular rider Ryusei Sakai. If he does, he’d give Yahagi a third Saudi Cup trophy. His first came courtesy of the surprising Panthalassa (2023). 

“Maybe this is going to be Forever Young’s last time to be able to compete in the Saudi Cup,” Yahagi said, “so we will do our best to bring his full potential. This year also has a strong lineup, but the most important thing is to do my job and bring his best potential.”

The Saudi Cup is now a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but Yahagi has sounded hesitant to ship to Keeneland rather than the West Coast. 

Bob Baffert supplies his leading opponent, in the form of Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) star Nysos. Although he was all out to stave off stablemate Nevada Beach in the Laffit Pincay (G2) at Santa Anita, Baffert rates Nysos as his best-ever Saudi Cup contender.

Still, the Hall of Fame trainer is under no illusions about the task of taking on Forever Young.

“Forever Young, he’s a unicorn,” Baffert marveled, going on to recapitulate his stellar 2024 campaign that included a near-miss third in the Kentucky Derby (G1). 

“I have so much respect for that horse. What he did as a three-year-old – to win in Saudi Arabia (the Saudi Derby [G3]), Dubai (the UAE Derby [G2]), and come to the (Kentucky) Derby and go so close…that is just unheard of, you know, a horse shipping that much. Credit to his trainer, his jockey, and his staff, he’s an incredible horse.

“You are just hoping that when they turn for home, that they are running, and for me, hopefully it’s going to be Nysos, and Nevada Beach is right there too, with Forever Young - King Kong versus Godzilla.”

Nysos keeps Flavien Prat aboard in post 12, while Nevada Beach (post 7) picks up Irad Ortiz Jr.

The other U.S. shippers are Kenny McPeek’s Grade 1 veteran Rattle N Roll, who bids to improve on his fifth from a year ago; Banishing; and gritty Cigar Mile (G2) winner Bishops Bay from the Brad Cox barn. 

Japan also fields additional contenders in the form of Sunrise Zipangu, representing the JRA’s first female trainer, Kyoko Maekawa, and Luxor Cafe, a 2025 Kentucky Derby also-ran and full brother to champion Cafe Pharoah, the third-placer in the 2023 Saudi Cup. 

Louisiana-bred Tumbarumba, now based with Wathnan trainer Hamad al Jehani, comes off a rallying second in the Al Maktoum Challenge (G1) at Meydan. The ex-Cox runner Star of Wonder, a half-brother to 2020 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Shedaresthedevil, is 2-for-2 since transferring to Saudi Arabia.

Mhally booked his spot by capturing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup over this track and about a 1 1/8-mile trip over the filly Ameerat Alzamaan. Rounding out the local brigade are Thundersquall and Haqeet.

The Saudi Cup anchors a terrific card that includes the Saudi Derby, newly added to the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby; the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2), now a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), featuring Baffert’s Imagination; the Neom Turf Cup (G1), where Yahagi’s defending champion Shin Emperor will try to recover his old form; the Red Sea Turf H. (G2) for stayers; and the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2), pitting French celebrity Lazzat against Japan’s up-and-coming Panja Tower and American hopes led by Reef Runner. 

The Saudi Derby offers points on a 30-15-9-6-3 basis to the top five finishers. Nashua S. and Jerome S. hero My World spearheads the U.S. contingent, including stretch-out sprinter Obliteration, the speedy Acknowledgemeplz, and Very Connected. International intrigue abounds in the 14-strong field, notably Japan Road points-earners Satono Voyage and Best Green, and unbeaten Saudi colt Al Haram shouldn’t be underestimated. 

For more Saudi Cup Day coverage, including handicapping and analysis, visit the Edge on TwinSpires.com.