As undefeated Flightline coasted to a 19¼-length demolition of the 2022 Pacific Classic (G1), race caller Trevor Denman saluted him: “Take a good look, because you’re not going to see this too often, maybe not ever again.”
You could say the same thing about Forever Young, one of this century’s best horses. It will be a while before we see another one as talented and durable. The 5-year-old superstar, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) champion, is 11-for-14 lifetime with earnings of $29,358,590. A victory in Saturday’s $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) would make him the all-time money leader, passing Romantic Warrior ($32.4 million), whom he defeated in the 2025 Saudi Cup (G1).
Dubai-based Bhupat Seemar trains Imperial Emperor and Walk Of Stars, longshots who will challenge the 3-5 favorite in the 1¼-mile Group 1 at Meydan Racecourse.
“Forever Young is the best horse in the world,” Seemar said. “You can’t take anything away from him. He’s danced every dance.”
Four-time World Cup winner Bob Baffert is sitting this one out. He’s also a fan of Forever Young. “He’s unbelievable,” Baffert said. “I have so much respect for that horse.”
The Japan-bred son of Real Steel has unfinished business from last year’s Dubai World Cup, in which he finished third, two lengths behind 41-1 shot Hit Show. Brad Cox’s horse, who is 14-1 in the early line, is back to defend his title.
“Forever Young has won all the big races all over the world,” Cox said, “but Hit Show was able to navigate this race last year and likes the course. All you can ask is to be in with a chance.”
On paper, the speedy Magnitude (8-1) looks like a candidate to repeat Hit Show’s shocker. Expect him to go for the lead from the rail.
“Our speed gives us many options,” said Scott Blasi, longtime assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. “I think he likes to be well placed in front, and we have won many big races from post 1.”
For those who like to bet on horse racing, here’s a horse-by-horse analysis, from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, and odds in parentheses.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | M/L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magnitude | Jose L. Ortiz | Steven M. Asmussen | 8/1 | |
| 2 | Meydaan | William Buick | Simon and Ed Crisford | 7/1 | |
| 3 | Walk of Stars | Mickael Barzalona | Bhupat Seemar | 40/1 | |
| 4 | Heart of Honor | Saffie Osborne | Jamie A. Osborne | 50/1 | |
| 5 | Hit Show | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | 14/1 | |
| 6 | Forever Young | Ryusei Sakai | Yoshito Yahagi | 3/5 | |
| 7 | Imperial Emperor | Tadhg O'Shea | Bhupat Seemar | 10/1 | |
| 8 | Tap Leader | Pat Dobbs | Doug Watson | 50/1 | |
| 9 | Tumbarumba | James Doyle | Hamad Al Jehani | 16/1 |
Last Updated on 03/26/2026
The four-time stakes winner prepped for the World Cup with a 3¾-length win in his 4-year-old debut, the Razorback Handicap (G3). That field was weak, and he’s 0-for-2 at the Grade 1 level. Likely to set the pace to the upper stretch and back up when Forever Young challenges him.
Betting verdict: Use underneath
Buick is among the world’s best riders, and the father-and-son Crisford team is a big-time operation in Britain. This 4-year-old bay gelding surged late to dominate the 1¼-mile Al Maktoum Classic (G2) Feb. 26 at Meydan. That was his dirt debut, and just his second win in 15 stakes,14 of them on grass. Hard to read.
Betting verdict: Toss
3 WALK OF STARS (Mickael Barzalona, Bhupat Seemar, 40-1)
Seven-year-old’s best days seem to be behind him. He’s 4-for-16 lifetime and has lost four in a row. Was fourth in last year’s World Cup, which was a pleasant surprise. He’s only 2-for-13 at Meydan, but finished out of the top four only four times. No chance to win, but maybe he could slip into the bottom spot in the superfecta at huge odds.
Betting verdict: Use for fourth
Deep Closer was second in last year’s UAE Derby (G2) before running a distant fifth in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and sixth, beaten 15½ lengths, in the Belmont Stakes (G1). Seventh last time to Meydaan in the Al Maktoum Classic. Doesn’t belong here.
Betting verdict: Toss
His late surge in last year’s World Cup shocked Cox, who wasn’t at Meydan, and Geroux. It was Hit Show’s only victory in four Grade 1 attempts.
“It was surreal, an amazing feeling,” said Geroux, who admitted he hadn’t expected to win. His take on a possible repeat: “Forever Young is going to be very tough to beat.”
Betting verdict: Use underneath
At Wednesday’s draw, Yahagi said his horse of a lifetime is in “fantastic shape” and sharper than he was last month for his second consecutive triumph in the Saudi Cup.
If he isn’t compromised by traffic problems, he’ll avenge last year’s defeat in Dubai.
Betting verdict: The pick
He loves Meydan (5-for-9) but doesn’t fit with elite horses. His 11th-place dud in last year’s World Cup proved that, so don’t expect a miracle on Saturday.
Betting verdict: Toss
How’s your knowledge of Russian racing? This 5-year-old was 8-for-12 in the Realm of Putin before joining Watson late last year. Ran third in the Maktoum Classic, but this field is infinitely tougher.
Betting verdict: Toss
Consistent money maker (28-7-8-5 record, $3.2 million earnings) outran his odds with a third-place finish in the 1 1/8-mile Saudi Cup. Louisiana-bred gelding does his best work at 7 furlongs and a mile in Grade 2 and 3. He’s 0-for-3 in the Middle East and overall has lost four in a row and 14 of his last 15.
Betting verdict: Toss
Ed McNamara is an award-winning racing writer who has covered the sport since 1981 for The Bergen (N.J.) Record, Newsday, ESPN, Thorocap, and USRacing. He is the author of Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown and Racing Around the World, and a contributor to The Most Glorious Crown and The Racetracks of America. He has also written for racing publications in France and Italy.
