Japanese superstar Forever Young (JPN) is poised to make history this Saturday as he chases a second win in the Group 1 USD$20 million Saudi Cup, aiming to become the first horse to claim the world’s richest dirt race twice. Returning to Riyadh after a thrilling victory last year, the 4-year-old faces an elite field, including Bob Baffert’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Nysos (USA) and stablemate Nevada Beach (USA).
The atmosphere at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack is electric, with fans eager to witness a clash of titans. Legendary American trainer Bob Baffert, making his first Saudi Cup appearance since 2020, admits the challenge is immense. “You are just hoping that when they turn for home, they are running, and for me, hopefully, it’s going to be Nysos, and Nevada Beach is right there too, with Forever Young — King Kong versus Godzilla,” Baffert said. Praising the Japanese champion, he added, “Forever Young, he’s a unicorn. What he did as a 3-year-old — winning in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and coming to the Derby — that is just unheard of.”
Forever Young’s trainer, Yoshito Yahagi, is aiming for a third consecutive Saudi Cup victory, having already guided Panthalassa (JPN) to triumph in 2023 and secured the G3 Saudi Derby in 2024. “Maybe this is going to be Forever Young’s last time to compete in The Saudi Cup, so we will do our best to bring his full potential,” Yahagi said.
The Japanese challenge is strengthened by Sunrise Zipangu (JPN), trained by Kyoko Maekawa, and Luxor Cafe (USA) under Noriyuki Hori. Brazilian ace Joao Moreira rides Luxor Cafe, while Oisin Murphy partners Sunrise Zipangu. Maekawa, Japan Racing Association’s first licensed female trainer, is eager to make her mark: “I expect a good result with Sunrise Zipangu. We prepared him well in Japan, and he’s adjusting perfectly here.”
The British and American contingent is equally formidable. Mhally (GB), winner of the G3 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, carries jockey Ricardo Ferreira; Ameerat Alzamaan (GB), the only filly in the field, will be ridden by Ryan Moore for Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz’s Red Stable; while King Saud Cup winner Haqeet (USA) and King Faisal Cup victor Star Of Wonder (USA) represent Saudi contenders under trainers Saad Aljenad and Camilo Ospina, respectively. Other American hopes include Banishing (USA), Rattle N Roll (USA), and Bishops Bay (USA), completing a truly global lineup alongside Thundersquall (GB) and Tumbarumba (USA).
Saturday’s 1800m showdown promises high drama, pitting the world’s best dirt horses against each other in a spectacle of speed, stamina, and international prestige. Will Forever Young cement his legacy, or will new challengers rewrite history? Racing fans are in for a night to remember.
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