Home › Race Reports & Results › International Results

Forever Young Rewrites the History Books with Second Saudi Cup Victory

andreasy |

Forever Young etched his name permanently into the history books at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday evening, becoming the first horse ever to win two Saudi Cups. The five-year-old Japanese-trained son of Real Steel, owned by Susumu Fujita and trained by Yoshito Yahagi, produced a masterclass in timing to repel a determined challenge from the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Nysos, trained by the legendary Bob Baffert.

The race unfolded with early leaders setting a strong pace along the backstraight. Jockey Ryusei Sakai settled Forever Young patiently behind the leaders, hugging the rail in a decisive tactical move. Turning into the home straight, Sakai found a gap along the inside and Forever Young surged forward, eventually crossing the line in 1 minute 51.03 seconds to win by a length.

Yahagi, who has now trained seven winners at the Saudi Cup meeting, including three Saudi Cup victories, was characteristically understated in victory. “I love Saudi and my horses love Saudi,” he said. “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.”

Sakai reflected on what the achievement meant. “He’s an amazing horse. Two times in the Saudi Cup, and I just trust him. There was no pressure, this is my job every time. I’m very proud of him.”

For Baffert, whose Nysos had been widely touted as the biggest threat to the defending champion, there was philosophical acceptance. “This race is almost like the Kentucky Derby because unless you win, second isn’t that exciting,” he said. “The good thing, though, is that Nysos showed up. Forever Young is just so good.”

The victory added to an already remarkable CV that includes the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2025 and his 2025 Saudi Cup triumph. His trainer indicated the Dubai World Cup at Meydan at the end of March would be the next target, a race in which Forever Young could cement his legacy as the pre-eminent dirt horse of his generation.

For context, Yahagi’s seven Saudi Cup Night victories across all races represents the most by any trainer in the history of the meeting, underlining the Japanese handler’s extraordinary record in Riyadh.