Forever Young cruises at Funabashi, all set for Breeders’ Cup

Oct 02, 2025 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Forever Young shown training for the 2024 Breeders' Cup at Del Mar (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Japan’s dirt sensation Forever Young tuned up for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) with a comfortable comeback victory in Wednesday’s Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi.

The near-miss third in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) and third in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, Forever Young had not raced since another third-place effort in the April 5 Dubai World Cup (G1). Those placings – all in prestigious events on the world stage – are the only losses in his 12-race career.

Still unbeaten in his native Japan, Forever Young was sent off as the prohibitive 1-10 favorite at Funabashi. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi and regular rider Ryusei Sakai wanted to get him reacclimated to being behind horses and feeling the kickback, in preparation for what he’ll encounter in the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.

As Forever Young (number 7) settled in fifth early, stablemate Revontulet (number 10) showed speed in the initial strides. But Light Warrior (number 6) soon dashed to a clear lead, and Revontulet was content to sit in second.

Rounding the far turn, Forever Young rolled into the picture, and Revontulet briefly moved with him. Both easily passed the tiring Light Warrior at the top of the stretch, but Revontulet could not match strides with Forever Young for long.

Forever Young stamped his authority down the lane and drew off by 2 1/2 lengths. Sakai didn’t keep asking him for extra once the race was put away, and he appeared to have something in reserve at the end of about 1 1/8 miles in 1:52.2 on a good track.

【#日本テレビ盃 結果】
1着 7フォーエバーヤング
2着 10レヴォントゥレット
3着 5ホウオウトゥルース

第72回日本テレビ盃(JpnII)は坂井瑠星騎手騎乗のフォーエバーヤングが制しました。 pic.twitter.com/VpmvO68Lap

— 地方競馬全国協会(NAR)公式 (@nar_keiba) October 1, 2025

Revontulet just held second by a head from the rallying Ho O Truth, completing the all-Yahagi exacta. King’s Sword checked in another neck back in fourth, and Light Warrior retreated to sixth in the 10-horse field.

Campaigned by Susumu Fujita, Forever Young is now a perfect 6-for-6 in Japan. His major wins at home include the 2023 Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby as well as the JBC Nisai Yushun during his two-year-old season, along with the 2024 Japan Dirt Classic and Tokyo Daishoten (G1).

Forever Young is 9-for-12 overall, with his other marquee victories coming in the Middle East. Hero of the 2024 UAE Derby (G2) and Saudi Derby (G3), he prevailed in this year’s running of the world’s richest race, the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1).

Forever Young’s bankroll towers above $15 million, and he can enhance that total in the Nov. 1 Classic at Del Mar. He’s on course for a rematch with the top two from last year’s Classic, champions Sierra Leone and Fierceness, and a showdown with the top three-year-olds of 2025, chief among them Kentucky Derby star Sovereignty.

If Forever Young captures the Classic, he would add to Yahagi’s historic Breeders’ Cup resume. Yahagi scored breakthrough wins for Japan in the 2021 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar, where he sent out Loves Only You to take the Filly & Mare Turf (G1) and Marche Lorraine to shock the Distaff (G1).