Forever Young and the challenge of a powerful American delegation

The lists of potential participants for the races to be held between February 13 and 14 in Riyadh have been released; for now, there will be no South Americans for the first time in history

Forever Young defeating Romantic Warrior in the 2025 Saudi Cup / JCSA

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special for Turf Diario).- Forever Young (Real Steel), the defending champion, will once again be the center of all eyes when on February 13 and 14 a new edition of the Saudi Cup Meeting is held at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse, after the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia released the probable participants for the most millionaire festival on the planet.

The crack trained by Yoshito Yahagi, hero of the Breeders’ Cup Classic and winner of the last Saudi Cup (G1), will attempt a historic achievement: to become the first horse to win the US$ 20 million race twice, after his electrifying triumph of last year over the Hong Kong idol Romantic Warrior (Acclamation). Japan will also have two other heavyweight cards: Luxor Café (American Pharoah), from master Noriyuki Hori, and Sunrise Zipangu (Kizuna), who represents the first female trainer in the history of the country, Kyoko Maekawa.

The American challenge will be as powerful as always. No less than 6 horses appear in the lot and among them two pupils of Bob Baffert stand out: the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), Nysos (Nyquist), and Nevada Beach(Omaha Beach), winner of the Goodwood Stakes (G1). To them are added Magnitude (Not This Time), who comes from defeating the champion of the Dubai World Cup (G1), Hit Show (Candy Ride), in the Clark Stakes (G1), and the return of the veteran Rattle N Roll (Connected), winner in 2025 of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup(G2) and fifth in the Saudi Cup.

Completing the North American contingent are Banishing (Ghostzapper), from David Jacobson, and Bishops Bay(Uncle Mo), winner of the Cigar Mile (G2) and now under the colors of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sons, after his purchase in November.

The locals will also have serious aspirations. Mhally (Sergei Prokofiev) secured his place by winning the same qualifier that Rattle N Roll had conquered last year, while Star Of Wonder (Uncle Mo) arrives undefeated in two outings in Riyadh and with a recent triumph in the King Faisal Cup (L).

The grass will also have stellar protagonism. The Neom Turf Cup (G1), now elevated to the maximum category and with a purse of US$ 3 million, will gather representatives from Japan, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The champion Shin Emperor (Siyouni) will return to defend his crown against Royal Champion(Shamardal), the former French Survie (Churchill), and the local qualifier Bolide Porto (Le Havre), among others. The notable Facteur Cheval (Ribchester) will also return to the turf after his experience on the dirt.

The Red Sea Turf Handicap (G2), over 3,000 meters and US$ 2.5 million, will feature a strong Irish armada headed by Joseph O’Brien and his three representatives, in addition to the entry of Willie Mullins with Absurde (Fastnet Rock).

In speed, the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2) will have as a great attraction the champion of Royal Ascot Lazzat (Teofilo), who will clash with Annaf (Muhaarar), Comanche Brave (Wootton Basett), and several American sprinters, in addition to the qualifier Zefzaf (Mo Town).

The Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) promises another international clash, with Bob Baffert entering Imagination (Into Mischief), runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), along with a large Japanese delegation and the presence of the Hong Konger Self Improvement (Deep Field).

For its part, the Saudi Derby (G3), which grants 30 points to the winner toward the Kentucky Derby (G1), will have a powerful North American representation with Brad Cox, Kenny McPeek, y Steve Asmussen, against an equally numerous block from Japan and Europe.

The program is completed with the Saudi International Handicap, which this year will attract even horses from Belgium and Denmark, and the two major races for Purebred Arabians, where the names of local trainer Naser Mutlaq and his emerging star Nadem Al Molwk Al Khalediah (Latih Al Khalediah) shine.

Everything is ready for Riyadh to be, once again, the epicenter of world racing, with Forever Young attempting a feat that would definitively place him in the great history of the Saudi Cup.