Forever Young Returns To Riyadh To Defend His Crown

The picture for the Saudi Cup 2026 began to sharpen this week as the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia revealed the likely fields for the two-day meeting at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on February 13 and 14, with defending champion Forever Young (JPN) returning to face a deep and truly international challenge.

Yoshito Yahagi’s Breeders’ Cup-winning star headlines Japan’s three-strong Saudi Cup squad, joined by Noriyuki Hori-trained Luxor Cafe (USA) and Sunrise Zipangu (JPN), who is set to represent trainer Kyoko Maekawa, the country’s first female handler to saddle a runner on this stage.

Forever Young returns to Riyadh seeking a place in history after edging Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior (IRE) in a thrilling finish last year. That success followed Yahagi’s earlier triumph with Panthalassa (JPN), and a second victory would make Forever Young the first dual winner of the race.

The American challenge is expected to be formidable, with six runners among the likely starters. Two come from Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, including Breeders’ Cup Mile hero Nysos (USA) and Grade 1 winner Nevada Beach (USA), who also placed in elite company in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Steve Asmussen could be represented by Magnitude (USA), who recently defeated Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show (USA) in the Clark Stakes, while Kenny McPeek’s Rattle N Roll (USA) is expected to return after his success in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup and a strong showing in last year’s Saudi Cup.

The American group is completed by David Jacobson’s Banishing (USA) and Brad Cox-trained Cigar Mile winner Bishops Bay (USA), now racing for local ownership following his purchase late last year.

Local hopes include Mhally (GB), who secured qualification through last year’s pathway race, and Star Of Wonder (USA), unbeaten in two Riyadh starts and impressive in the Listed King Faisal Cup.

Saudi Cup 2026 meeting underlines global depth across supporting races

The wider Saudi Cup 2026 programme once again showcases racing’s international reach, highlighted by the first Group 1 running of the $3 million Neom Turf Cup.

Shin Emperor (FR), trained by Yahagi, returns to defend his title and could clash with Bahrain International Trophy winner Royal Champion (IRE), while Survie (IRE), now with George Boughey, and Saudi qualifier Bolide Porto (IRE) add further strength.

French trainer Jerome Reynier is expected to saddle Facteur Cheval (IRE), returning to turf after contesting the Saudi Cup on dirt last season.

The Red Sea Turf Handicap could feature a strong Irish presence, with Joseph O’Brien holding three entries including Tennessee Stud (IRE), Goodie Two Shoes (IRE) and Sons And Lovers (GB), while Willie Mullins has entered Absurde (FR).

Epic Poet (GB) returns after a close second last year, with Burdett Road (GB) set to provide James Owen with his first runner on the meeting. Japan could again be strongly represented by Struve (JPN) and Vermicelles (JPN), while Sayyah (USA) brings strong local interest after a dominant qualifier success.

Speed specialists will line up in the 1351 Turf Sprint, headed by Royal Ascot winner Lazzat (FR), who could face previous winner Annaf (IRE), Comanche Brave (IRE) and American runners Time To Dazzle (USA), Reef Runner (USA) and Zio Jo (USA). Qualifier winner Zefzaf (USA) and locally-trained pair Love De Vega (IRE) and Geography (GER) also add depth.

The Riyadh Dirt Sprint is expected to draw another international field, with Baffert’s Imagination (USA) joined by American contenders Lovesick Blues (USA) and Just Beat The Odds (USA). Japan could send five runners, including Shin Forever (USA), while Hong Kong interest comes via Self Improvement (AUS).

The Saudi Derby continues to attract global attention, with American-trained My World (USA), Acknowledgemeplz (USA) and Obliteration (USA) among those chasing valuable Kentucky Derby qualifying points. They could face strong opposition from Japan, Europe and Saudi 2000 Guineas winner Al Haram (IRE).

Elsewhere on the card, the Saudi International Handicap is set to expand its reach further with possible runners from Belgium and Denmark alongside entries from across Europe and the Middle East.

The Purebred Arabian contests also promise high quality, with France represented by Nabucco Al Maury (FR) and Lacaro Du Croate (FR) in the Al Mneefah Cup, while Saudi trainer Naser Mutlaq could field multiple runners in the Obaiyah Arabian Classic, including Mubarizat Al Khalediah (KSA), Bint Ghaliat Al Khalediah (KSA) and Nadem Al Molwk Al Khalediah (KSA).

The meeting once again highlights Riyadh’s position as one of the sport’s key global gatherings, bringing together elite runners, leading trainers and diverse international participation across two days of top-level racing.

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