In every sport, the question always rages…Who is the best? In the older male classic dirt division, we may have gotten an answer on February 22.
The $20 million Saudi Cup was created in 2020 and offers a $10 million prize to the winner. Money like that brings horses from all over the world, therefor the competition is quite contentious. A race like this brings out all kinds of questions. Can a horse ship to the Middle East and embrace the environment? Will the navigation of a large field of horses create issues? How will the long home stretch and one turn run over 1800 meters be handled?
We have asked the questions and here are the answers provided by a strapping four-year-old name Forever Young. Based in Japan, this son of Real Steel had previously proven himself as an accomplished traveler. After opening his career with three dominant wins in his home country, he qualified for the 2024 Kentucky Derby with impressive scores in the Saudi Derby and U.A.E. Derby in the Middle East. After finishing third in the 150th Run for the Roses by a nose and a nostril, he again returned home and was victorious. An on-rushing third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar was followed by another impressive win in Japan to close his three-year-old season.
Beginning his four-year-old season in a race like the Saudi Cup was indeed a tall asking. Among the 13 other runners was Romantic Warrior, who many consider the best horse in the world. Although he had never raced on dirt, this Hong Kong based Irish-bred had won eight races in a row and been first or second in twenty one of twenty three starts. As the runners rolled around the far turn we got our answers.
As the mass of equine speed straightened for home Romantic Warrior and Forever Young squared off. The Warrior bolted to a two-length lead and looked every bit the world power. Refusing to throw up the white flag, Forever Young moved off the rail and found yet another gear. As the wire drew ever closer, Forever Young was gaining on the gargantuan out front. Proving his worth with every poetic stride, the Japanese hero broke the Romantic Warrior’s heart by a half-length.
Based on that miraculous run, Forever Young absolutely looks like the best classic distance dirt horse. As 2025 unfolds, he will face more tests. Racing fans in the United States hope some of those will come here within our borders. The Saudi Cup win earns him a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic this fall, again at Del Mar. As is the case with any athlete, you are often judged by your latest performance. We don’t know what the future holds, but right now, if you are thinking about excellence….we all want to be Forever Young.
