ODDS and EVENS | Forever Young Etches Name in History with Breeders' Cup Classic Win

When Forever Young crossed the wire first among the nine entrants in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic, a new era dawned for Japanese horse racing.

It was "the greatest achievement in the history of Japanese horse racing," one of my co-workers declared.

Now there's a benchmark of success for Japan's horses on the global stage, thanks to Forever Young's victory in the biggest of big events. 

Think of it this way: The previous era was before Saturday, November 1. And the new era began after jockey Ryusei Sakai's ride completed the 1¼ miles (2,000 meters) in Del Mar, California, in 2 minutes and 0.19 seconds on Saturday. Forever Young won by a half-length over Sierra Leone, the defending champion.

"None of his rivals could match Forever Young's finishing kick," Sky Sports reported.

A Japanese horse has never won any of America's Triple Crown races (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, or Belmont Stakes). Nor has a Japan-trained thoroughbred triumphed in Europe's most prestigious race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, in France.

The Breeders' Cup Classic debuted in 1984 as the marquee race in the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which expanded from a one-day spectacle to a two-day extravaganza in 2007. 

In 1996, Taiki Blizzard, piloted by Yukio Okabe, was the first Japanese horse to compete in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He finished 13th.

For Japan, Derma Sotogake (Christophe Lemaire) came closest to winning the event before Forever Young, placing second in 2023, one length behind the victor, White Abarrio. Since Taiki Blizzard's race debut, Casino Drive and Ushba Tesoro had also fallen short of the ultimate goal.

So did Forever Young in 2024, when the Real Steel-sired colt finished third, 2¾ lengths behind Sierra Leone.

Forever Young Demonstrates Awesome Ability

The Breeders' Cup World Championships was held at Del Mar Fairgrounds for the second straight year. And Forever Young returned to the California venue bolstered by a spectacular career record (nine wins and three third-place finishes in 12 starts).

For his 13th race, trainer Yoshito Yahagi's preparations were noteworthy.

"The horse was in perfect condition today," Yahagi said after the Breeders' Cup Classic.

So what was the trainer's message to the jockey before the race?

"The only thing I said to Ryusei before the race was to go out there and trust him," Yahagi stated. "That's it."

Sakai, who has ridden Forever Young in all of his career starts, agreed with the trainer's assessment of the horse's condition.

"He was in supreme form, absolutely perfect," Sakai, 28, commented after the race. "I rode him with complete confidence."

Sakai added, "I know it (when the race started) was really early in Japan, but I'm so thankful for all the support. Forever Young has managed to become the best in the world, but there are still races we haven't won.

"I hope we can win every race from hereon, and I myself will work harder than ever to become a jockey worthy of riding him."

The Thrill of Victory

Yahagi got a taste of Breeders' Cup success in 2021 in Del Mar, with Loves Only You winning the Filly & Mare Turf and Marche Lorraine doing the same in the Distaff.

But Saturday's victory was bigger and better ― for him, the ultimate victory in horse racing. 

"What just happened is unbelievable for Japanese horse racing," Yahagi said. "This is like the Japanese football team winning the [FIFA] World Cup." 

Susumu Fujita, owner of Forever Young, sat next to Yahagi during the Breeders' Cup Classic.

After the race, Yahagi described Fujita's reaction to what they watched.

"His facial expression after the race was priceless, like this was a once-in-his lifetime experience," the trainer was quoted as saying by racing website IdolHorse.com. 

Part of that exhilarating experience included securing the winner's check of $3.64 million USD (nearly ¥560 million JPY).

Fujita also took immense pride in the fact that Forever Young outraced Sierra Leone and race favorite Fierceness, who placed third. 

"My dream has come true, winning the Breeders' Cup Classic," Fujita told reporters. "It was also the last opportunity to race against [the] great 4-year-old, Sierra Leone, and Fierceness, as they are going to retire. Great to win the race against them as well."

A Smart, Tactical Race for Forever Young and Sakai

In the Breeders' Cup Classic, Forever Young held steady in second place in the early going. The frontrunner, Contrary Thinking, eventually slowed down and faded from the front of the pack. 

Forever Young took the lead on the back stretch. He reached the 1-mile mark in 1:35.70.

Sierra Leone, guided by Flavien Prat, and Fierceness, ridden by John Velazquez, were in hot pursuit on the final stretch. But neither horse was able to overtake Forever Young.

"He has great confidence and tremendous ability," Yahagi said of Sakai, according to racing website Turf Diario.

"The winner ran a terrific race," said Chad Brown, trainer of Sierra Leone, according to the Los Angeles Times. "He was up on the pace and kicked." 

Or as Sakai put it: "I can't believe it, he is an amazing horse."

Contrast that reaction with the disappointment that marked the conclusion of Sakai's Kentucky Derby in 2024. He placed third in a rare three-way photo finish. Forever Young was bumped several times by Sierra Leone during the homestretch, impacting his movement. Sierra Leone placed second behind Mystic Dan by a nose, with Forever Young having to settle for third (a nose behind Sierra Leone).

Forever Young to Continue Racing in 2026

Yahagi has said there are plans for Forever Young to compete in 2026. He mentioned February's Saudi Cup, which the horse won this year, and March's Dubai World Cup as planned events for the son of Real Steel, a Deep Impact offspring. Deep Impact was sired by Sunday Silence, the 1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner.

Next year will arrive soon enough.

In the meantime, Yahagi, along with Fujita, Sakai and other members of their racing team, will share the still-fresh excitement associated with winning the Big One.

How big a deal was it in Japan that Forever Young finished in first place?

"There was massive media coverage in Japan, far more than I ever expected," the 64-year-old Yahagi said, according to Turf Diario. "That's what's really making me feel the weight of what we achieved in the Classic."

RELATED:

• Saudi Cup: Forever Young Triumphs in the World's Richest Race
• Forever Young Places 3rd at Kentucky Derby in Photo Finish
• [ODDS and EVENS] Forever Young Brings a Perfect Record into the Kentucky Derby

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.