With Yahagi and Sakai already in Dubai, there will be 8 rivals for Forever Young in the Dubai World Cup

The Japanese star's trainer and jockey are already in the United Arab Emirates; the list of confirmed runners was released early this morning

Forever Young exhibits an impressive condition at Meydan / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).— There are horses that win races... and there are others that define eras. Forever Young clearly belongs to the second group, and this weekend he will have the opportunity to definitively confirm it as he seeks to write his name into the great history of world racing in the Dubai World Cup(G1).

The Japanese star returned to the scene this Monday at Meydan, reuniting with his trusted team, trainer Yoshito Yahagiand jockey Ryusei Sakai, in what many already consider the "rockstar trio" of the present day. The image of the crack on the dirt track was enough to begin igniting the preview of a race that promises to go into the record books.

And for good reason. If he achieves victory in the 30th edition of Dubai's premier event, the son of Real Steel will become the highest-earning horse in history in terms of prize money, surpassing none other than Romantic Warrior(Acclamation), another global phenomenon. He will do so backed by an extraordinary campaign that includes triumphs in the Saudi Cup (G1)—on two occasions—and in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), consolidating him as the great global benchmark on the dirt.

But beyond that, there are scores to settle. Last year, at this very same venue, Forever Young had to settle for third place behind Hit Show (Candy Ride), who will once again be part of the field this Saturday. That defeat, unexpected for many, now fuels a clear sense of revenge.

In his first contact with the Meydan track this week, the bay completed a light workout accompanied by his stablemate American Stage (Into Mischief), who will compete in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1). Under the guidance of Yuki Araki, the movement was measured and without exertion:

“It was just a lap and a half on the dirt. For now, everything is fine,” the rider commented, providing reassurance regarding the star's condition.

Shortly after, Yahagi and Sakai arrived from Japan, just hours after competing at Hanshin Racecourse in Osaka, in another display of the frantic pace handled by the team during this international tour.

The outlook will not be easy. In addition to Hit Show, two local track specialists also return: Walk Of Stars (Dubawi) and Imperial Emperor (Dubawi), both trained by Bhupat Seemar and G1 winners at this same venue.

Seemar himself did not hesitate to recognize the magnitude of the challenge: “Both are doing very well. Imperial Emperor arrives better than last year, fresher, and Walk Of Stars has been improving with every start this season. But Forever Young is the best horse in the world, there’s no arguing that. He has run in all the important races, and it’s fantastic to have another opportunity to face him.”

The list of confirmed runners for the Dubai World Cup was released in the early hours of Monday, and is completed by Magnitude (Not This Time), Meydaan (Frankel), Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance), Heart of Honor (Honor A.P.), and Tap Leader (Tapiture).

Ultimately, the focus is on only one. Forever Young is not just running for another title: he is running for his legacy. To become the richest horse of all time. To settle the debt from 2025. And to confirm, on the great night at Meydan, that his name already belongs to the absolute elite of world racing.