Forever Young (JPN) made sporting history at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday as he became the first two-time winner of the Group 1 USD$20m Saudi Cup.

Yoshito Yahagi’s undisputed dirt champion found a perfect gap along the inside rail turning into the home straight and he used his will, class and determination to fend off a brave challenge from Nysos (USA) by one length in a final time of 1:51.027.

Banishing (USA) and Thundersquall (GB) had led the field along the backstretch with Nysos tracking. Meanwhile, Forever Young and jockey Ryusei Sakai sat just behind those horses, but hugging the rail in a tactical move that ultimately worked out perfectly.

Forever Young and Nysos went head-to-head in the last 400m, but this incredible globetrotting 5-year-old, who took The Saudi Cup 12 months ago in a gripping encounter with Romantic Warrior (IRE) and went on to land the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic on his final start of 2025, is an almost impossible horse to pass when in front and with the bit between his teeth. Tumbarumba (USA) came from off the pace to claim third ahead of Bishops Bay (USA).

It was actually a third victory out of the seven renewals of this meeting for Forever Young, who also has a Saudi Derby success to his name and continues his progression towards legendary status.

Quotes

Ryusei Sakei, jockey, Forever Young, 1st: “He’s an amazing horse, two times in the Saudi Cup, and I just trust him. I had no worries, there was no pressure, this is my job, the same every time. I’m very proud of him and I want to thank everyone who supported all the team.”

Yoshito Yahagi, trainer, Forever Young: “He gave me an unbelievable feeling all the time through the race. Of course I had a lot of pressure on me before the race as he was the best in the field. I think it’s not my training that makes him this great horse, I think the horse is just made like a champion and I have little to do with it.

“Of course our next target is the Dubai World Cup, so that is what we have to concentrate on now. And then, well I have no idea. Last year, it didn’t work out in the Dubai World Cup, he just wasn’t good enough. We will try our best to win it this year. Ryusei Sakai was my apprentice, my stable jockey and he developed and improved as he grew up. And he has become a really good jockey for us.”

Bob Baffert, trainer Nysos 2nd, Nevada Beach, 12th: “This race is almost like the Kentucky Derby because unless you win, second isn’t that exciting. The good thing, though, is that Nysos showed up. Forever Young is just so good.

“Irad [Ortiz] said Nevada Beach never really got engaged in it. He said he didn’t pick up his feet, at all. I was really disappointed in him because he was really going over this track very well.”

James Doyle, jockey, Tumbarumba, 3rd: “Delighted with him, he’s put in another big performance. I’m very proud of the horse and his young team who are getting going. For them, to have a horse run well here is brilliant.”

Case Clay, racing manager, Tumbarumba: “It was a big result for us. We’re proud of the horse. He came over here and stepped up in trip in the Al Maktoum Challenge and finished second and finished strong there. He was suited to the track well here. He looked a picture and Tommy Allen and Hamad Al Jehani were saying that he’s been going over the track well in the morning. We were confident going in and to be able to run third here, that has us possibly looking to the Dubai World Cup after this. We’ll regroup after this and decide.”

Brad Cox, trainer, Bishops Bay, 4th: “He was training well. I loved how he presented himself in the paddock. I thought he would run his race and I think he did. Junior [Alvarado] was happy with him and I was very happy with the performance. Turning for home, I thought we had a shot. At the eight-pole, it was looking more like maybe we would be third and ultimately he was fourth. He’s a hard-trying horse and I love the effort he showed, I thought we got a good trip and I’m proud of what he did here. I’m not usually happy with running fourth very often, but we’ll take it here.”

Joao Moreira, Luxor Cafe, 5th:  “He ran well. He didn’t jump very well, we came from a recovery situation, but I was happy.”

Oisin Murphy, Sunrise Zipangu, 6th: “Great run. He didn’t have the speed early but it was a pretty good result.”

Joel Rosario, Rattle N Roll, 9th: “He ran his race, it was a tough race but he did his best.”

Dominic Zaki, back in South Africa after a stint in Mauritius, is seeking his first winner since relocating to Summerveld. He saddles Talk To The Master in Sunday’s Non-Black Type Fever Tree Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. The horse arrives with strong Cape form behind the likes of Snow Pilot, Great Plains, and Gem King, and a promising debut for Zaki suggests he could break the drought.

JP’s Palace looks a potential threat, coming off a light weight and first-time cheek pieces, while Cymric, stepping up in trip for Mike and Mathew de Kock, is showing steady improvement despite a wide draw. Peter Muscutt’s Dylan’s Champ impressed first-up for his stable with blinkers, and Madison Valley makes his first run for a new yard after a strong prior win.

Sunday’s card is competitive. The Place Accumulator opens with Day Two, who was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time, while Spanish Feud, back in blinkers, and Quicksmart, stepping up in trip, could also feature. The first Pick 6 leg may favor Curious Girl, lightly raced and coming on nicely, though Spectacular, Past And Present, and Hodgepodge all offer strong claims.

The fifth race sees Banzai Pipeline switching to turf against a modest field, while I Am Classy, Cool Wind, and Basie Raakvat remain dangerous. In race six, Sonata Samaritan is in good form and benefits from a weight allowance, while Prom Queen and Lady Sabrina also have claims.

Mark Dixon’s Jazz Festival could feature in another wide-open handicap, alongside Mississippi Spice, Vencedor, and Sword Speed. Dixon also has Cleartherunway in the final Pick 6 leg, with Cowdray Park, Industrialstrength, Mister Nibbles, and Harun Al Rashid all capable of making an impact.

Sunday promises a highly competitive programme, with several horses stepping up or seeking breakthrough wins under favourable conditions.

Jet Force faces a key test in Saturday’s Progress Plate (Race 8, 1400m) at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. After a career-best effort when 1.9 lengths behind Dave The King in the Grade 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes, he earned a lofty 115 rating. A disappointing run in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins Kings Plate saw his mark trimmed from 120, but he remains a quality performer. Trainer Des McLachlan has limited options off his rating, and with only three wins to his name, victory here would push him out of Progress Plate company. Stable jockey Grant van Niekerk rides, while stablemates Green Planet and Devil A Saint look outclassed. The question is whether his Green Point run was a peak or a platform.

Powerandtheglory appeals as the main threat. Runner-up at his last two starts, he finished just 0.4 lengths behind former Grade 1 winner Snow Pilot on Met day, receiving 10.5kg. A half-brother to Double Superlative, he lacks that star’s brilliance but is knocking on the door. Captain West has the talent but is hard to trust, while Miss World (light weight, course lover) and promising three-year-old Beware add depth.

Earlier on the card, Epernay (Race 1) showed promise on debut and could improve with a 4kg claim. Iona Castle (Race 2) looks ready to shed her maiden, while Bonelli (Race 3) should go close after a narrow last-start defeat. Lark’s Song (Race 4) can follow up her maiden win. Race 5 is open, with Gravity a tentative pick.

Saachi One (Race 6) is improving and rates highly alongside William’s Woman, while Star World (Race 7) ties in through the same form. In Race 9, Gran Canaria gets the nod in a competitive finale, ahead of several lively challengers.

Umfula has threatened to break through on several occasions and, despite again facing a competitive field in race 7 over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday, he shapes as a value runner. Recently tested at a higher level, he meets familiar rivals on better terms after his latest run and now gets a more suitable trip.

Last time, Umfula finished behind Song To The Moon, Tenpenny and Landoftherisingsun over 1800m, but enjoys positive weight swings with all three and should relish the extra 200m. A sit-and-stalk type, he is likely to get the right race shape if the tempo is genuine, with Richard Fourie booked to ride for James Crawford.

Landoftherisingsun should also appreciate the step up in distance and a return to Durbanville, where he landed the Listed Settlers Trophy over this course and distance. La Pulga brings solid foreign form and has been chasing progressive types, making him one to respect if he stays the trip, while the progressive Tenpenny tries 2000m for the first time and remains one to watch despite some stamina queries.

Earlier on the card, Red Wave looks well placed to shed his maiden tag in race 1 after a string of consistent efforts. Stellar Guidance can improve on a promising debut in race 2, while the frustrating Homing Pigeon again looks the one to beat on paper in race 3 over 1800m.

Phantom Man stands out as a strong contender in race 4 following a close second over course and distance, while Waloyo Yamoni is an interesting runner stepping into handicap company in race 5. Winter Pearl rounds out the card in race 8 and, dropping in class with a favourable trip, looks hard to beat back at a venue that suits.

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi believed Forever Young (JPN) to be virtually unbeatable when he thwarted Romantic Warrior (IRE) 12 months ago and he returns to Riyadh with his Breeders’ Cup hero bidding to become the first dual winner of the Group 1 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse this Saturday.

Hong Kong legend Romantic Warrior was the only possible danger to victory in the 2025 renewal of the USD$20million feature in the mind of the decorated trainer.

And he was proved correct as the pair went head-to-head down the stretch with Forever Young prevailing by neck – having only led inside the final 25 metres.

“I didn’t think he would be beaten by any horse,” revealed Yahagi. “But I wasn’t completely sure about Romantic Warrior, as it was his first time racing on dirt. If Forever Young was going to be beaten, it had to be by Romantic Warrior.”

Romantic Warrior made a big move at the top of the stretch and looked assured of success, only for Ryusei Sakai to wear him down aboard the brilliant entire in a dramatic climax.

“It was unbelievable. To be honest, I thought we had been beaten at the finish. It was a great race,” added Yahagi.

The trainer bids for a third win in just seven renewals of The Saudi Cup following on from Panthalassa (JPN) in 2023, and Forever Young will be having his first start after writing another chapter in the history books when becoming the first Japanese-trained winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar last November.

“He skipped the Tokyo Daishoten this year after the Breeders’ Cup,’ explained Yahagi. “He was carrying a little extra weight at first, but he has been improving steadily.

“The anti-clockwise track and the long home straight really suit him in Saudi Arabia and Sakai knows everything about him. Their partnership is very reliable,” added the trainer of the pairing who also claimed the 2024 Saudi Derby.

Yahagi has been one of the leading advertisers of Japanese racing with wins also in Dubai on World Cup night, in Hong Kong and with a Cox Plate victory in Australia.

“Winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic definitely brought about a big change in the Japanese racing industry. Horse racing is still not the biggest sport in Japan, but I would like to continue working to grow it,” he explained.

“The Japanese racing industry is aiming to be the best in the world. Strong fan support, including wagering turnover, contributes to high prize-money. Because of that, Japanese owners are willing to invest significant sums. The industry is healthy thanks to the support of the fans.”

Forever Young went on to be third in the Dubai World Cup last year and a return to Meydan is again on the cards, but another tilt at a Breeders’ Cup has yet to be decided.

Yahagi said: “He will run The Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup. He is scheduled to run in those two races. We are focusing on these two Middle Eastern races for his spring campaign. Nothing has been confirmed yet for his autumn campaign.

“The Breeders’ Cup will be held at Keeneland this year, which makes it a different situation for us compared to when it is held on the West Coast of the United States. I need to discuss our plans with the owner, Mr. Fujita, who was keen to keep him in training.”

Team Yahagi return with not one but two defending champions as Shin Emperor (FR) also bids for a repeat win after making all from stall three last year in the Howden Neom Turf Cup, which now carries G1 status and $3m in prize-money.

“He is in very good form and this race has always been the target,” said Yahagi. “The anti-clockwise, flat 2100-metre track on good ground suits him very well. He doesn’t have to lead, but we would like to see him settle into a good position.”

And ominously for opponents to the full-brother to Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Sottass (FR), he added: “I thought he had fully matured, but in fact he is still improving.”