Forever Young, facing history in a Breeders' Cup Classic that brings Keeneland to a standstill
The Japanese champion will attempt to become only the second horse to win back-to-back editions of the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Sovereignty leads the opposition in the $7-million centerpiece, the crowning jewel of a spectacular afternoon that will also feature the Argentine-bred Full Serrano
LEXINGTON, Kentucky (From a special correspondent).— Keeneland will host one of those racing cards capable of commanding the world's attention this Saturday. Nine Breeders' Cup championship races, global stars from multiple continents, and a centerpiece event destined for racing lore: the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), featuring a $7-million purse as the richest race in the United States. On the same program, the Argentine-bred Full Serrano (Full Mast) stands as South America's sole representative as he aims to reclaim his 2024 crown in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
Yet all eyes will inevitably lock onto Forever Young (Real Steel). The extraordinary Japanese champion will attempt a feat accomplished only once in history by Tiznow (Cee's Tizzy), conqueror of the Classic in 2000 and 2001. That legendary second victory came at Belmont Park, just seven weeks after the September 11 attacks, when he staved off the furious charge of Sakhee (Bahri) in an indelible finish. Since that day, no horse has successfully defended the Classic title.
Forever Young arrives with the aura of an international megastar. A two-time winner of the Saudi Cup (G1) with over $32 million in career earnings, he reached the pinnacle last year at Del Mar by defeating Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and Fierceness (City of Light)—the very duo that had finished ahead of him in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1).
His trainer, Yoshito Yahagi, fully realizes the dynamic has shifted. “Last year, we came in as the challenger trying to win the Classic. Now, everyone is out to beat us. Defending the title will be no easy task,” Yahagi explained.
The Japanese icon returned to the United States in September to annex the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), though his performance left Yahagi wanting more. “What he showed that day would not be enough to win this Classic. But the team reports he has progressed dramatically physically and is training beautifully,” he admitted.
His most anticipated challenger is Sovereignty (Into Mischief), last year's Horse of the Year and hero of the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers Stakes (G1). A sudden fever forced him to miss the Classicshowdown with Forever Young last fall, while a foot abscess thwarted their scheduled September clash. Now, at long last, the titans will collide.
“I have been eager to race against him. Defeating him would mean becoming the true champion of American racing,” Yahagi stated.
Sovereignty dropped his first two starts of 2026, but restored his championship aura with a brilliant victory in the Whitney Stakes (G1). Bill Mott, his trainer, expressed supreme confidence: “I couldn't ask for him to be coming in any better. If he gets a favorable tempo and takes to the surface, he'll be closing with immense power.”
The scratch of Magnitude (Not This Time) due to an incipient left front suspensory ligament injury reduced the field to seven runners and reshaped the pace scenario. In the absence of his early speed, Knightsbridge (Nyquist) looks poised to inherit the lead. Also trained by Mott, he enters on the heels of front-running tallies in the Monmouth Cup (G3) and the Pacific Classic (G1).
“We won't take hold of him. He is naturally quick and will run where he feels comfortable, which will certainly be right on or near the lead,” Mott anticipated. Stablemate Sovereignty, by contrast, will stalk before striking as the early leaders tire.
Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) also possesses early foot and could contest the lead.Golden Tempo (Curlin), victor in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes this season, requires a hot pace to set up his closing kick, while The Puma (Essential Quality) enters on a sharp upward curve following a victory in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1).
The field is completed by T O Password (Copano Rickey), another Japanese invader who returns to U.S. soil after finishing fifth in the Kentucky Derby, a race in which Forever Young crossed the line third.
The Classic serves as the grand climax of an unprecedented day of sport. For South America, the dream rests on Full Serrano, making his third consecutive Dirt Mile appearance after winning in 2024 and running fifth in 2025.Following the withdrawal of Chilean mare Eccentric (Ivan Denisovich), he carries the continent's flag alone.
Forever Young, meanwhile, will line up against six rivals and 25 years of history. Should he prevail once more, he will no longer be merely the pride of Japan—he will have achieved a miracle previously reserved for Tiznow alone.
