Imagine a horse so dominant that he’s turned the prestigious Saudi Cup into his personal playground—three years in a row. Meet Forever Young, the Japanese racing sensation who’s not just winning races but rewriting the rulebook on consistency and resilience. But here’s where it gets controversial: is his reign a testament to sheer talent, or has he simply mastered the art of exploiting this particular track? Let’s dive in.
For the third consecutive year, Forever Young engaged in a heart-stopping stretch duel at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, this time against America’s formidable Nysos. And for the third consecutive year, he emerged victorious. The February 14 Saudi Cup (G1) wasn’t just another win—it was a statement. Trainer Bob Baffert, whose horses have now finished second in this race four times, must be wondering what it takes to dethrone this Japanese champion. The $10 million winner’s share? Just another day at the office for Forever Young. Happy Valentine’s Day, indeed.
Both Forever Young and Nysos bided their time early in the 1,800-meter race, sitting comfortably off the pace. As they turned for home, jockey Ryusei Sakai expertly guided Forever Young along the rail, while Flavien Prat urged Nysos to challenge him on the outside. By the 200-meter mark, it was clear: Forever Young wasn’t going to be caught. The final margin? A decisive 1 length, with no signs of slowing down.
‘I prefer shorter stretches,’ Baffert had quipped before the race. But let’s be honest—even a shorter track wouldn’t have changed the outcome. Forever Young’s winning time of 1:51.03 was nothing short of impressive, rewarding bettors with a $2.70 payout on a $2 win wager.
Tumbarumba secured third place, 3 3/4 lengths behind Nysos, while Bishops Bay finished fourth, just 1 length back. Kenny McPeek’s Rattle N Roll, who placed fifth last year, settled for ninth, and Baffert’s second entry, Nevada Beach, finished 12th out of 13 starters. And this is the part most people miss: Forever Young’s victory this year seemed almost effortless compared to his nail-biting wins in previous editions, including his 2024 Saudi Derby (G3) triumph over Book’em Danno and his back-and-forth battle with Romantic Warrior in the 2025 Cup.
‘He’s still not 100%,’ admitted trainer Yoshito Yahagi, the ‘Man in the Hat,’ who now boasts three Saudi Cup victories. ‘But when he hit the top of the stretch, I knew he had it.’ Baffert couldn’t help but acknowledge the jockey’s confidence, adding with a touch of humor, ‘Well, even King Kong got beat.’
Forever Young burst onto the scene in October 2023, winning his first three starts, including the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki Racecourse. Despite being on the 2023-24 Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, his connections pivoted to Riyadh for the 2024 Saudi Derby. Looking sluggish early, he appeared outmatched by Book’em Danno’s explosive lead. But once he found his stride, Forever Young closed the gap and won by a head. A month later, he dominated the UAE Derby (G2) in Dubai, earning a spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
That Kentucky Derby finish? A photo-worthy three-way tie for second, with Forever Young just two noses behind Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone. After a well-deserved rest, he returned to win the Japan Dirt Classic, placed third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), and capped the season with a victory in the Tokyo Daishoten (G1).
His 2025 Saudi Cup win was his signature moment. In a race that boiled down to two horses, he relinquished the lead to Romantic Warrior before rallying to win by a neck. Trainer Yahagi attributed his subsequent third-place finish in the Dubai World Cup (G1) to pre-race mishaps. After another layoff and a prep race in Japan, Forever Young returned to Del Mar to claim the Breeders’ Cup Classic, holding off Sierra Leone by a half-length.
With the Saudi Cup being part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In, Forever Young has already secured his spot in this fall’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland. But the question remains: can anyone stop him?
Nysos, despite the loss, deserves recognition. Baffert’s project horse, with a record of seven wins from eight starts, has overcome setbacks to become a serious contender. After winning the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and the Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2), he proved he belongs on the global stage. Baffert, ever determined, vowed to return: ‘If we don’t get it done this year, we’ll keep coming back.’
But will Forever Young be waiting? Owner Susumu Fujita hinted at retirement at year’s end but left the door open for one more Saudi Cup run. ‘I’m delighted with how he won,’ Fujita said. ‘Maybe we’ll extend his career by two more months.’
So, here’s the burning question: Is Forever Young’s dominance a fluke, or is he simply that good? And can Baffert finally crack the code to beat him? Let us know what you think in the comments—this debate is far from over.
