The Japanese horse racing program has become one of the most dominant in the entire world. They’ve notched wins in major races all across the globe, including multiple Breeders’ Cup races. However, the biggest of all of the Breeders’ Cup championship races, the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), remained elusive to Japan until this year’s meet, when the ever impressive Forever Young finally ruled the day.
Despite being based in Japan, Forever Young isn’t a no-name to the American racing scene. He first came onto the radar of racing fans in the States when he won the U.A.E. Derby (G2) on Dubai World Cup (G1) day last year. That race paved the way for a trip to Kentucky, where he finished third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after a stretch run that had some railbirds arguing that he was impeded by Sierra Leone, who finished second. Later in the year, Sierra Leone would win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) while Forever Young would finish third.
Not this year, though. In a loaded field that included Sierra Leone, Fierceness (one of the top older horses in the country), Journalism, Baeza and other tough competitors, Forever Young prevailed. After sitting just off of the pace in second, the 4-year-old son of Real Steel took the lead on the far turn and never looked back. Not even a late charge by Sierra Leone would deny him his half-length victory. Fierceness finished in third, a length behind Sierra Leone, and Journalism rounded out the superfecta.
Ridden by Ryusei Sakai and trained by Yoshito Yahagi, Forever Young stopped the clock at 2:00.19 for the 1 ¼ miles dirt race. “I came here to win,” Yahagi told Idol Horse. “But I couldn’t imagine what it would be like when we actually did win this race. At that moment, I was speechless.” In his post-race interview at Del Mar, Yahagi elaborated on just what the win meant not only for himself but for Japanese horse racing as a whole: “What just happened is unbelievable for Japanese horse racing. It’s like the Japanese football team winning the World Cup.”
“I can’t believe it. He’s an amazing horse. It’s a dream,” Sakai echoed in his own post-race interview. Owner Susume Fujita also called the win “my dream” while proving what a true sportsman he is. “Also, Fierceness and Sierra Leone will be retired. So this (was) the last chance against these two guys together,” he said via his translator.
Forever Young’s historic win bumped his record up to 10 wins and three thirds in 13 starts with total earnings of $19,358,590. Whether he will race again at 5 or retire to stud has not yet been decided, but regardless of his future he will forever be remembered in the legends of both Japanese and American Thoroughbred racing.
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