Forever Young will launch his bid to retain the Saudi Cup crown from gate six at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday, as the world’s richest race prepares to take centre stage once more in Riyadh. The Japanese star, calm and composed as ever, carries not only the hopes of his connections but also the weight of expectation that accompanies a defending champion.
The reigning title-holder was among the final horses allocated a barrier, with trainer Yoshito Yahagi selecting stall six when only a handful of gates remained.
“I think six is a good number,” Yahagi said, measuring his words carefully amid the buzz of the draw ceremony. “We don’t have to change anything with tactics. Honestly, I feel a lot of pressure on my shoulders bringing a defending champion but Forever Young doesn’t feel any pressure at all.”
That quiet confidence has become a hallmark of the Japanese camp, who return to Saudi Arabia determined to underline their authority on the global stage.
Saudi Cup draw throws up intriguing match-ups
The Saudi Cup field features a formidable international cast. American Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will saddle Nysos, who breaks from gate 12 under Flavien Prat. While the draw placed the colt toward the outside, Baffert appeared untroubled.
“I’d rather be on the outside than the inside,” Baffert said. “As long as the horse shows up that is more important. I think he is a really good horse and has always shown brilliance. He’s a trier and knows where the wire is. From the outside he will have a clear run.”
Baffert also expressed satisfaction with Nevada Beach, to be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr from gate seven. “Gate seven is good for Nevada Beach too. We just didn’t want to be in the one-hole,” he added.
Last year’s fifth, Rattle N Roll, returns with Joel Rosario aboard from stall 11 for trainer Kenny McPeek, seeking to improve on that effort with a more favourable early position.
There was history attached to stall one, drawn by Sunrise Zipangu. Kyoko Maekawa, the Japan Racing Association’s first female trainer, was on hand for the allocation. She served as Yahagi’s assistant when Panthalassa famously made all from the inside gate to capture the Saudi Cup in 2023. Oisin Murphy takes the ride this time, tasked with replicating that front-running masterclass.
Noriyuki Hori’s Luxor Cafe has been handed gate 10, while the locally trained Mhally will emerge from stall 13 — a result welcomed warmly by his camp.
“We are very happy with that draw, we wanted something on the outside,” said Sheikh Faisal Al Sabah, son of owner Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah. “Hopefully he proves himself on Saturday.”
Elsewhere, Banishing will break from stall three, described as a horse with “a heart of gold” by Zachary Jacobson, son of trainer David Jacobson. Bishops Bay, trained by Brad Cox, has drawn nine.
Star Of Wonder, prepared by Saad Aljenade, lines up in stall five — the same gate from which Emblem Road stormed to victory in 2022. Stablemate Haqeet is positioned in two under Mickael Barzalona. Ryan Moore’s booking aboard Ameerat Alzamaan adds further intrigue; the Sami Alharabi-trained runner breaks from four.
Thundersquall faces the widest assignment in stall 14 for trainer Muteb Almulawah and jockey Danny Tudhope. Tumbarumba, partnered by James Doyle for Hamad Al Jehani and Wathnan Racing, begins from gate eight.
With the Saudi Cup promising both depth and drama, much will hinge on the break and early positioning. Yet if Yahagi’s composure is any guide, Forever Young enters the contest as a champion undaunted, poised to write another chapter under the Riyadh lights.
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