Forever Young preps at Funabashi for Breeders’ Cup

Sep 28, 2025 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Forever Young prevailed over Romantic Warrior in the Saudi Cup (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Japan’s globetrotting dirt star Forever Young returns to action in Wednesday’s Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi, his stepping stone to the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar.

Third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic after his epic, near-miss third in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1), Forever Young has raced just twice this season. Both starts came early in the year in the Middle East.

Forever Young won the world’s richest race, the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) on Feb. 22, in determined fashion. In a protracted duel with Hong Kong legend Romantic Warrior, he just prevailed by a neck. The Saudi Cup serves as a 'Win and You're In' for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, so Forever Young has already earned his spot in the starting gate.

When Forever Young lined up next time in the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1), he might have been feeling the effects of his tough slog in Saudi Arabia. He lacked his typical punch in Dubai and checked in third.

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi accordingly gave Forever Young an extended holiday. Unraced since the April 5 World Cup, he will be fresh for his fall campaign.

Forever Young, who is still undefeated in Japan, is following a similar schedule to gear up for the Breeders’ Cup. Last year, he used the Japan Dirt Classic on the first Wednesday in October as his springboard to Del Mar. The Japan Dirt Classic is strictly for three-year-olds, so Forever Young, now at the age of four, requires a different tune-up.

The about 1 1/8-mile Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi has served as a Breeders’ Cup prep for Japanese hopes before. Ushba Tesoro won the 2023 Nippon TV Hai en route to his fifth-place performance in the Classic at Santa Anita. In 2024, Ushba Tesoro and Derma Sotogake were second and fifth, respectively, in the Nippon TV Hai before unplaced efforts in the Classic at Del Mar.

Forever Young will need this race to improve his fitness for the Breeders’ Cup, and he’ll carry the top weight of 128 pounds. But he’ll be heavily favored to win just because of his superior talent. Regular rider Ryusei Sakai will guide Forever Young from post 7 in a 10-horse field.

FOREVER YOUNG in his final breeze. Apparently 70-80% going into Wednesday’s Nippon TV Hai, his lone @BreedersCup Classic prep. Race has been won by stars Ushba Tesoro, Chrysoberyl, Seeking the Dia, Smart Falcon & Agnes Digital. #BC25 #フォーエバーヤング pic.twitter.com/xJZCDfXqld

— Michael Adolphson (@AdolphsonRacing) September 25, 2025

Stablemate Revontulet likes to go forward early and set up shop on or near the lead. The lightly-raced four-year-old has placed third in his past two, the Heian (G3) and the BSN Sho. But he came much closer in the latter, when beaten by only a half-length. Marble Rock, who has a similar running style, tired to eighth in the Heian when last seen on May 24.

King’s Sword has scored major wins in the 2023 JBC Classic and the 2024 Teio Sho. But he hasn’t raced since then, and the six-year-old figures to be rusty as he resurfaces from a 15-month layoff.

Light Warrior, hero of the 2024 Kawasaki Kinen, comes off a sixth in the July 21 Mercury Cup. Trainer Katsuyoshi Uchida noted that he was toting the top weight of 130 pounds that day, and he’s better off under 126 pounds here.

Giga King leads the locally-based entrants, with 12 career wins over this track. But he’s yet to land a blow in better company. Rounding out the field are Funabashi denizens Ho O Truth, Rudement, and Sorena along with Oi-based Grande Mare.

The Nippon TV Hai is the 11th race at Funabashi with a local post time of 8:05 p.m. (7:05 a.m. ET Wednesday).