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SARGA.CO — Japanese racehorse Forever Young flew all the way from the Land of the Rising Sun to the United States with one mission: revenge. And in the prestigious US$7 million (Rp116 billion) Grade I Breeders’ Cup Classic, he achieved it in spectacular fashion.
The 4-year-old colt, who finished third in both the 2024 Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic, delivered a stunning performance this year. Entering the final turn, Forever Young surged forward, opened up a clear lead, and held off defending champion Sierra Leone to win by half a length.
It was revenge served beautifully. “It has been my dream to beat these great horses,” said trainer Yoshito Yahagi with a wide smile, as quoted by UPI.com.
“Especially since Fierceness and Sierra Leone will soon retire — this was our last chance to face them both.”
A Classic Duel to Remember
The Breeders’ Cup Classic on dirt was the main event of the evening, showcasing some of the finest racehorses in the world. The top three finishers from last year returned for another showdown: this time, Forever Young emerged victorious, Sierra Leone took second, and Fierceness, last year’s runner-up, settled for third.
Also in the field were Journalism (fourth place) and Baez (sixth), who had finished second and third respectively in the previous Kentucky Derby. One notable absentee was Sovereignty, the dual Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes champion, who was sidelined due to illness.
Last year, Forever Young was forced to settle for third in the Kentucky Derby after being bumped several times by Sierra Leone in the final stretch. But this year at the Breeders’ Cup Classic, fate turned in his favor.
Starting from gate five, jockey Ryusei Sakai remained calm and composed, keeping Forever Young in a safe stalking position behind the leaders. Then, in the final turn, Sakai unleashed a perfectly timed burst of speed — a decisive move that sealed their victory.
With this monumental win, trainer Yoshito Yahagi and owner Susumu Fujita now have their sights set on even bigger goals — starting with the US$20 million (Rp332 billion) Saudi Cup, where Forever Young will attempt to defend his crown next year.
He may once again face off against Romantic Warrior from Hong Kong, who finished second this year and has his own score to settle. Yahagi also hinted that the 2026 Dubai World Cup could be Forever Young’s next grand stage, after finishing third in the race earlier this year.
When asked whether the Real Steel-sired colt would continue racing through the 2026 Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, Kentucky, Yahagi chuckled and said:
“The weather in Keeneland is freezing — so let me think about that first,” he joked.
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