Yoshito Yahagi and Forever Young Return to Riyadh for a Historic Victory
- Turf Diario
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
The trainer and the superstar aim for a Saudi Cup double; "I thought he had fully matured, but he is actually still improving," said the professional about the champion
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special for Turf Diario).— Absolute conviction, full confidence, and a horse that has already made history. This is how Yoshito Yahagi returns to King Abdulaziz Racecourse, with Forever Young (Real Steel) poised to attempt an unprecedented feat: becoming the first two-time winner of the Saudi Cup (G1), the world’s richest race, this Saturday on the Saudi dirt.
Twelve months ago, the Japanese trainer was convinced his champion was practically unbeatable. Only one name raised a slight question mark: Romantic Warrior (Acclamation), the Hong Kong idol facing a dirt test for the first time. History proved him right. The two engaged in a memorable battle, head-to-head down the stretch, with Forever Young prevailing by a neck, after taking the lead only in the final 25 meters.
“I didn’t think he could be beaten by any horse,” Yahagi admitted. “But I wasn’t completely sure about Romantic Warrior, because it was his dirt debut. If Forever Young was going to lose, it had to be to him.”
The scene was dramatic. Romantic Warrior launched a powerful attack upon entering the lane and seemed to have the race in hand, until Ryusei Sakai, the Japanese star's inseparable partner, managed to squeeze out one last response from the colt, sealing a victory etched into the collective memory of world racing.
“It was incredible. To be honest, I thought we had lost at the wire. It was an extraordinary race,” Yahagi conceded.
The conditioner is now chasing his third victory in just seven editions of the Saudi Cup, having also won with Panthalassa (Lord Kanaloa) in 2023. And he does so with a horse that arrives even stronger, after writing another golden chapter by becoming the first Japanese-trained runner to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar last November.
“After the Breeders’ Cup, I decided not to run in the Tokyo Daishoten,” Yahagi explained. “At first, he was a bit overweight, but he improved steadily. The counter-clockwise track and the long stretch in Saudi Arabia suit him perfectly, and Sakai knows him like no one else. Their partnership is very reliable.”
Yahagi’s influence extends far beyond this engagement. The trainer is one of the great global ambassadors for Japanese turf, with resounding wins in Dubai, Hong Kong, and Australia, where he captured the Cox Plate.
“The victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic had a huge impact on the Japanese racing industry,” he reflected. “Racing is not yet the most popular sport in the country, but I want to keep working to make it grow.”
“Japanese horse racing aims to be the best in the world. The strong support from fans, especially through wagering, allows for large purses and makes owners willing to invest significant sums. It’s a healthy industry thanks to public backing.”
Following his victory in Riyadh, Forever Young finished third in the Dubai World Cup (G1), and that commitment is back on the agenda.
“He will run in the Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup. Those are the two objectives for the spring. Nothing is defined yet for the autumn,” Yahagi explained.
“The Breeders’ Cup will be at Keeneland this year, which changes the scenario compared to when it’s held on the West Coast. I’ll have to discuss it with the owner, Mr. Fujita, who is excited about keeping him in training.”
Yahagi’s team arrives in Riyadh with two defending champions, as Shin Emperor (Siyouni) will also look to repeat his victory in the Neom Turf Cup, now elevated to G1 status with a $3-million purse.
“He is in very good shape and this race was always the target,” the trainer noted. “The flat, counter-clockwise track and the 2,100 meters on good ground suit him perfectly. He doesn’t need to lead, but we’d like to see him well-positioned.”
And he left a remark that his rivals will surely note:
“I thought he had fully matured… but in reality, he’s still improving.”
With Forever Young seeking a historic double and Shin Emperor ready to defend his crown, Yoshito Yahagi returns to the Saudi Cup stage with the serenity of one who has won it all, yet with an intact hunger to continue making history for Japanese racing.Yoshi
Comments