Forever Young Outguns Nysos To Repeat In Saudi Cup

[Wandering Eyes]

The 2026 renewal of the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup almost by definition lacked the tension and drama of the 2025 running, where FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) (h, 5, Real Steel {Jpn}–Forever Darling, by Congrats) and Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) threw down in a race for the ages.

But at the end of the 1800-metres under the Saturday night lights at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, Forever Young called upon the guts and determination which have defined his career and turned back a very game effort from 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist) to become the first repeat winner of the event. The victory earns the entire the right to defend his championship in this year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic as a Breeders' Cup Challenge race, even as connections hinted that a more difficult journey from Japan to Central Kentucky might put pay to the idea.

Off as the prohibitive 35-100 chalk making his first appearance since besting his relative Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in the Classic at Del Mar Nov. 1, making history as the first Japanese winner of America's richest race, Forever Young made some more history in Riyadh. Off to a fair beginning from gate six, Forever Young was in and amongst rivals as late call-up Thundersquall (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) made the running from Nysos, who tracked three off the inside for Flavien Prat.

In a bit of a sticky situation when Banishing (Ghostzapper) tightened things up on him at the rail, Forever Young was always patiently handled by Ryusei Sakai and when Adel Alfouraidi left the fence open off the final corner, it was 'go' time. Sakai sent Forever Young through at the inside and he quickened up better than Nysos, putting about a length on him at the 200-metre peg. But when all was said as done, Forever Young never truly looked like losing as Nysos plugged away gamely to be a clear second. Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance) was a distant third ahead of Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo) in fourth.

Sales history: $720,603 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL. Lifetime Record: 14-11-0-3, $29,358,590. O-Susumu Fujita; B-Northern Racing; T-Yoshito Yahagi

The post Forever Young Outguns Nysos To Repeat In Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article