The 2026 Saudi Cup: A Japanese Horse's Dominance Continues
The Saudi Cup, the world's most lucrative race, took place in Riyadh, attracting global attention. Once again, the spotlight shone on the Japanese-bred and trained superstar, Forever Young, who claimed victory in the $20 million race for the second consecutive year.
Forever Young, a five-year-old stallion, arrived in Saudi Arabia with an impressive resume. He had recently won the Group I Breeders' Cup Classic in November, showcasing his exceptional talent. Trained by Yoshito Yahagi and ridden by Ryusei Sakai, he is no stranger to success in the region, having previously won the Saudi Derby and UAE Derby, and finishing third in the prestigious Kentucky Derby.
In the 2026 Saudi Cup, Forever Young faced off against Nysos, a US-trained horse who had won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile for the Bob Baffert stable the previous year. Despite Nysos' strong challenge, Forever Young emerged victorious, maintaining his flawless record with 11 wins and three placings from 14 starts, earning over $29 million in prize money.
This victory builds upon his previous achievements, including a third-place finish in the Group I Dubai World Cup. Forever Young's success is attributed to his exceptional breeding and training, as the son of Real Steel, a Group I-winning stallion by Deep Impact, who shuttled to Arrowfield Stud in Australia for a season.
Forever Young's journey began when he was purchased from the JRHA Select Foal Sale in 2022 for ¥98,000,000. He is the best of nine stakes-winners from Real Steel's lineage, a half-brother to the Group III winner Brown Ratchet, and the best of four winners from the Group II-winning Congrats mare, Forever Darling. This mare is also a half-sister to the Group I winner Heavenly Love, the dam of the 2024 US Champion3YO Colt, Sierra Leone, who, ironically, defeated Forever Young in both the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic.
Forever Young's dominance in the 2026 Saudi Cup not only solidifies his status as a racing legend but also sparks discussions about the potential impact of Japanese breeding and training on global horse racing.
