Forever Young, ridden by Ryusei Sakai, triumphed in the Grade 1 Saudi Cup in Riyadh on Saturday, February 22, edging Romantic Warrior (James McDonald's ride) by a neck's length.
At King Abdulaziz Racecourse, Forever Young secured a winning prize of $10 million USD (about ¥1.5 billion JPY) for owner Susumu Fujita. The event is billed as the world's richest race, and a total of $20 million (roughly ¥3 billion) was up for grabs for the participants.
Real Steel-sired Forever Young, a grandson of Deep Impact, was at his best over the final furlong. He picked up the pace to pull even with 7-year-old gelding Romantic Warrior and move past his rival with 50 meters remaining.
Seconds earlier, in impressive fashion, Forever Young showcased his speed to make a late push for victory a possibility. He overcame a three-length deficit as the final furlong loomed.
But Forever Young, who turns 4 on Monday, February 24, was never out of contention, thanks to the determined effort of the horse and the jockey.
In the end, Forever Young's youthful exuberance outworked Romantic Warrior's racing experience ― barely.
"He jumped very well from the wide gate [number 14] and got into a nice position without a problem," said Sakai, one of the Japan Racing Association's top jockeys, after the race. "It was my tactic to be in that situation. I believe in Forever Young, I never thought I'd lose the race.
"This is the best moment in my life."
Saudi Cup Success for Japan
Japanese horses and jockeys have had impressive results in the 1,800-meter Saudi Cup in recent years.
Panthalassa, piloted by Yutaka Yoshida, was victorious in the 2023 Saudi Cup. In 2024, Ushba Tesoro, with Yuga Kawada handling the reins, was the runner-up in the prestigious race.
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who has managed Forever Young's rise to stardom, also supervised Panthalassa in 2023.
The jovial trainer was thrilled with the outcome of the 2025 Saudi Cup.
"Unbelievable," Yahagi was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse. "Romantic Warrior is such a strong horse, we respected him but our horse was better today. When Romantic Warrior passed us, I thought we could still come back."
This time, Ushba Tesoro (Akira Sugawara) placed third but finished 10½ lengths behind Romantic Warrior on Saturday. Wilson Tesoro (Kawada) was fourth.
Upcoming Plans for Forever Young
Because of his successful showing in Saudi Arabia, Forever Young will have another overseas race in the near future.
"You know when he came here to run in the Saudi Derby, he was not in the best condition and he still won," Yahagi told reporters. "Since that time, he has improved a lot and was in better condition today. I would like to thank all the people of the Saudi Cup who supported us. We will go to the Dubai World Cup."
The 2,000-meter race in Dubai is on April 5.
Forever Young was the third-place finisher in the 2024 Kentucky Derby in a photo finish.
Additional Results for Japanese Riders in the Saudi Cup Day Races
Also Saturday, Shin Forever (Sugawara) was the runner-up in the G3 Saudi Derby, a 1,600-meter race on dirt. American colt Golden Vekoma won by 1¾ margins.
In the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, contested over 1,200 meters, Gabby's Sister (Christophe Lemaire) placed third.
Sakai rode Shin Emperor to victory in the G2 Neom Turf Cup (2,100 meters), placing 1¾ lengths ahead of Germany's Calif.
There was a 1-2 finish for Japan's Ascoli Piceno (Lemaire) and Win Marvel (Kohei Matsuyama) in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint. Ascoli Piceno edged Win Marvel by a head's length. The races covers 1,351 meters.
Lemaire shared his thoughts on the race and a busy day of racing in Riyadh on Instagram.
"What a brave Ascoli Piceno and Win Marvel fighting for victory," Lemaire wrote. "[And] what a great night for Japanese horses and their connections. A day to remember on Saudi Cup night! Congratulations to all!"
In the 3,000-meter G2 Red Sea Turf Handicap, Epiphaneia progeny Byzantine Dream (Oisin Murphy) clocked 3 minutes, 6.63 seconds to claim a 1¼-length win over Ireland's Epic Poet. Japan's Continuous (Ryan Moore), a Heart's Cry offspring, placed third.
A total of 18 horses representing Japan participated in six Saudi Cup Day races.
RELATED:
- Forever Young Places 3rd at Kentucky Derby in Photo Finish
- Saudi Cup Recap: Japanese Thoroughbreds Fare Well in Riyadh Races
- Panthalassa Shines in Saudi Cup for Lucrative Payday
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
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