Minutes after Forever Young made history by winning a second straight $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), trainer Yoshito Yahagi was looking to the future for his global superstar.
“Of course, our next target is the Dubai World Cup, so that is what we have to concentrate on now,’’ the popular Japanese trainer said on Feb. 14 as he walked to greet his champion at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The concentration became more intense recently as Forever Young arrived at Meydan Racecourse to train up to the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) on March 28.
Naturally, he will be the headliner in the buildup to the 30th edition of the 2,000-meter (about 1 ¼ miles) Dubai World Cup, a race that caps a day of more than $30 million in prize money.
While 151 horses were nominated early for one of the world’s more prestigious racing events, it’ll take several weeks to narrow down the field, which is likely to be about 14 runners. The official field is historically announced three or four days before the race.
Until then, this Dubai World Cup is all about Forever Young, as in: “Is there anyone out there who can beat this champion?
Lest we forget, Forever Young, a 5- year-old son of Real Steel, has earned a record $29,358,590 from 11 victories in 14 starts in four countries – Japan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), and Saudi Arabia.
His only losses were third-place finishes in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1), the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), and the 2025 Dubai World Cup.
Forever Young can’t avenge the Derby loss (it’s only for 3-year-olds), but he’s avenged his loss in the Breeders’ Cup Classic with a victory at Del Mar on Nov. 1 -- defeating Sierra Leone, who won the 2025 Classic.
In a few weeks, Forever Young has a chance to avenge his World Cup loss. He will be a heavy betting favorite no matter who shows up.
Under the careful guidance of Yahagi and the precise riding of Ryusei Sakai, Forever Young was voted the Eclipse Award as champion older male and was a finalist for Horse of the Year, an honor that went to Derby, Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty.
There should be challengers aplenty when the field is set, but Sovereignty won’t be one of them. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott says his champion’s 4-year-old debut will come later in the year.
Defending champ Hit Show is scheduled to go for two in a row. Since his surprising win a year ago at 41-1 odds, the 6-year-old has won 3-of-5 for trainer Brad Cox, most recently the Mineshaft Stakes (G3) at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 14.
Other possible contenders include Skippylongstocking and White Abarrio, who ran first and second in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., Tumbarumba, third in the Saudi Cup; Imperial Emperor, winner of the Al Maktoum Challenge earlier in the year, trained by Dubai-based Bhupat Seemar; and perhaps a few challengers from four-time Dubai World Cup winning trainer Bob Baffert – Imagination, Mirahmadi, and Parenting are his listed nominees.
With Hit Show and fellow longshot Mixto combining for a huge exacta payout last year, Forever Young settled for third as the favorite.
“Last year, it didn't work out in the Dubai World Cup; he just wasn't good enough,’’ Yahagi said. “We will try our best to win it this year.”
After the Saudi Cup, Yahagi said he was feeling the pressure of handling the world’s best-known racehorse.
“He gave me an unbelievable feeling all the time through the race,’’ he said after the Saudi Cup, the richest horse race in the world. “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.”
More than half of the nominated horses are based in Dubai, while American-based nominees are more than 40. A field of 14 is most likely.
Tumbarumba, who finished a strong third in the Saudi Cup, impressed his owners, Wathan Racing, with his effort.
“It was a big result for us. We’re proud of the horse,’’ said Clay Case, racing manager for Wathnan Racing. “He came over here and stepped up in the Al Maktoum Challenge and finished second and finished strong there. He was suited to the track well here. We were confident going in and to be able to run third here, that has us possibly looking to the Dubai World Cup after this.”
Other top races on Dubai World Cup Day include the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), and the UAE Derby (G2), a Kentucky Derby points qualifier.
The Sheema Classic could feature a showdown between Calandagan, rated among the top horses in the world, 2024 Sheema winner Rebel’s Romance, and Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner Ethical Diamond.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
