Forever Young Seeks History in a Stellar Saudi Cup Field
- Turf Diario
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Japanese sensation aims to maintain his dominance at King Abdulaziz, facing off against Nysos and Nevada Beach, Bob Baffert’s high-profile contenders.
By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (From a special correspondent).– There are nights that transcend the calendar and find their place in history. The Saudi Cup (G1-1,800m, dirt) 2026 promises to be one of them. With $20 million on the line and the prestige of the world’s richest race intact, the focus returns to a name that is already legendary: Forever Young.
The Japanese star, winner of the most recent Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), returns to this city with an unprecedented mission: to become the first horse to win the Saudi Cup twice. His performance last year, when he defeated Romantic Warrior (Acclamation), still resonates in the collective memory and confirmed that the best dirt horse on the planet flies the Japanese flag. Now, history offers him an even greater challenge.
Across the ring stands the perennial Bob Baffert, returning once again to the Saudi capital. The Hall of Fame member has come close to the trophy on several occasions, and this time he arrives with two heavy hitters: Nysos (Nyquist), winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), and Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach).
Baffert didn't shy away from metaphors: “You just hope that when they turn for home, they’re running, and for me, I hope it’s Nysos… and Nevada Beach is right there, too, with Forever Young. King Kong vs. Godzilla.” The image lingered in the air—a clash of titans for the world throne.
The American went further: “I’ve brought some good horses here, but I think Nysos, hopefully, is the best I’ve ever had for this race.” He quickly added: “These races are built to bring the best in the world together. If we could manage to win it, it would be something very special to enjoy here.”
However, his respect for the champion is absolute: “Forever Young is a unicorn. What he did at age 3—winning in Saudi Arabia, in Dubai, and then going to the Kentucky Derby and coming that close—is something you just don’t see. To travel that much and perform like that is incredible.”
The trainer of the Japanese phenom is Yoshito Yahagi, already a two-time winner of the Saudi Cup thanks to Panthalassa (Lord Kanaloa) in 2023. With Forever Young, he captured the Saudi Derby (G3) in 2024 and is now eyeing a third consecutive strike at the meeting. “This might be the last time he can run in this race, so we will do everything to bring him to his maximum potential,” Yahagi warned. “The field is very strong, but the essential thing is that he arrives in his best version. If he runs his race, we are confident.”
The Japanese challenge doesn't end there. Kyoko Maekawa, the first female trainer licensed by the Japan Racing Association (JRA), saddles Sunrise Zipangu (Kizuna) with Oisin Murphy. “We prepared him very well in Japan. Here, he needed to adapt a bit to the climate and environment, but he worked with a lot of energy. I expect a great result,” she noted. Also in the field is Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah), winner of the Musashino Stakes (G3), with Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira in the irons.
The local front brings serious contenders. Mhally (Sergei Prokofiev), recent winner of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3), returns with Portugal’s Ricardo Ferreira. The only mare in the field, Ameerat Alzamaan (Ghaiyyath), will be ridden by Ryan Moore after finishing as the runner-up to Mhally in her last start. Haqeet (Arrogate) will break from post two with Mickael Barzalona, while Star Of Wonder (Uncle Mo). Last-minute news confirmed the scratch of Star Of Wonder (Uncle Mo), who was to be ridden by Colombian Camilo Ospina.
From USA, Banishing (Ghostzapper), Rattle N Roll (Connect)—fifth last year—and Bishops Bay (Ghostzapper) arrive to round out a field that also includes Thundersquall (Dubawi) and Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance).
Riyadh is prepared for a battle that feels like an epic poem. Will it be the definitive coronation of the Japanese unicorn or Baffert’s long-awaited redemption? Under the lights of King Abdulaziz, the world will hold its breath once more. Because when giants clash, history is written in bold.
