Forever Young created history when becoming the first dual winner of the world’s most valuable horse race, the Saudi Cup.
Trained impeccably by Yoshito Yahagi, affectionately known on the world stage as ‘The Man in the Hat’, he has campaigned his five-year-old all over the world and has been rewarded for his endeavours in spades, including his epic battle here 12 months ago with Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior.
Jockey Ryusei Sakai would have briefly been worried as he was trapped behind Banishing on the rail, as Bob Baffert’s Nysos moved up menacingly on the turn for home.
However, Forever Young got a dream run up the inside and with Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Nysos stepping up to 10 furlongs, it was the Japanese runner’s proven stamina that came to the fore once again in another thrilling finish.
“He gave me an unbelievable feeling all the time through the race,” said Yahagi.
“Of course I had a lot of pressure on me before the race as he was the best in the field. I think it’s not my training that makes him this great horse, I think the horse is just made like a champion and I have little to do with it.
“Of course our next target is the Dubai World Cup, so that is what we have to concentrate on now. And then, well I have no idea. Last year, it didn’t work out in the Dubai World Cup, he just wasn’t good enough. We will try our best to win it this year.
“Ryusei Sakai was my apprentice, my stable jockey and he developed and improved as he grew up. And he has become a really good jockey for us.”
Sakai said: “He’s an amazing horse, two times in the Saudi Cup, and I just trust him. I had no worries, there was no pressure, this is my job, the same every time. I’m very proud of him and I want to thank everyone who supported all the team.”
Baffert, who once again came close without claiming first prize, said: “This race is almost like the Kentucky Derby because unless you win, second isn’t that exciting. The good thing, though, is that Nysos showed up. Forever Young is just so good.
“Irad [Ortiz] said Nevada Beach [12th] never really got engaged in it. He said he didn’t pick up his feet, at all. I was really disappointed in him because he was really going over this track very well.”
There were also victories on the card for Karl Burke’s Royal Champion, ultra-impressive in the Neom Turf Cup under Oisin Murphy, and the Joseph O’Brien-trained Sons And Lovers in the Red Sea Turf Handicap.
Burke is now contemplating a trip to Dubai with Royal Champion.
He said: “It was superb. He’s a very forward-going horse, he’s quite keen at home – he’s not a runaway but we just wanted him to get in a nice rhythm behind a decent pace. Once he gets a bit of cover he just travels lovely and Oisin has pulled it off fantastically well.
“I was so confident once he was turning in in that position. He’s a horse with a turn of foot who keeps galloping and stays the trip really well. So absolutely delighted.
“He’s been accepted for Dubai [Turf], but I’ll have to speak to the guys at Darley and see what we do. It’s an obvious race for him, I think the drop back a furlong wouldn’t do him any harm. We’ll see.”
“A lot of it will be up to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s family. Our thoughts are with his family. We’ll hopefully keep the show on the road for a little while yet.”
