Yahagi Reflects on Forever Young’s Classic Triumph

DEL MAR, Calif. Yoshito Yahagi’s morning began with a confession that reflected to Forever Young, which drew laughter from reporters. “I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ overdid it with the drinking,” he joked dryly while nursing a hangover at an early 7:30 a.m. press call. The reason to celebrate was beyond doubt. His standout runner, Forever Young (Jpn), had just made history in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, thus, ending an amazing campaign that is now global,” he ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌said.

He further said, “The Dodgers winning makes me very happy.” He went on to say, “But I’m also a little sad.” as he was unzipping his red Forever Young jacket to show a Dodgers ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌t-shirt. Their win took all the headlines, and that’s like stealing from our achievement.”

However,​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ in the racing world, people are not unclear about whose name is at the top of the discussion. Forever Young, a horse owned by Susumu Fujita, has turned into an international icon. The 4-year-old colt has basically given him a career that is among the top three in the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup Classic of last year. In fact, he prevailed over such outstanding competitors as Romantic Warrior (Ire) to be the winner of the $20 million Saudi Cup, a race that is considered to be one of the richest in the sport, earlier this ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌year.

Yahagi confirmed that Forever Young will return to Riyadh next year, bypassing any preparatory races. “We’ll give him a short break before the Saudi Cup,” he said. “He needs time to recover and be in peak condition. After that, we’ll look at the Dubai World Cup. Beyond that, we’ll decide based on how he feels.”

The trainer also hinted at a possible first appearance on turf for Forever Young.

As​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Yahagi is primarily focused on his horse’s next international challenge, plans for Forever Young to become a sire are already being talked about. His bloodline is quite a strong selling point to any breeder anywhere in the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌world. The son of Real Steel (Jpn), a horse Yahagi also trained, is from a family that includes Miesque, Study Of Man (Ire), and Sierra Leone (USA), who finished second to him in the Classic.

“We’re not ready to finalize a stallion deal yet,” Yahagi said. “But we are open to interest from around the world. Anyone who wants to be part of the syndicate can approach us.”

For the trainer, Forever Young’s rise carries a special meaning. Real Steel, his sire, was also trained by Yahagi and is a full brother to Loves Only You (Jpn), the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner. That same year, Yahagi made history by also winning the Distaff with Marche Lorraine (Jpn).

“When Marche Lorraine won here in 2021, I thought I had achieved something incredible,” he recalled. “But there wasn’t much coverage in Japan. Now, with Forever Young winning the Classic, everyone back home is talking about it. The reaction is completely different.”

“His success belongs to him,” Yahagi said humbly. “It’s not about me as a trainer. It’s all about Forever Young.”

Yahagi attributes Forever Young’s improved performance to his physical maturity, noting that progeny of Real Steel tend to develop later. “The biggest change this year is how strong he has become and how quickly he recovers. He’s physically built up and can now compete with the best American horses,” he explained.

The Del Mar victory has added another chapter to Japan’s growing presence on the global racing stage, a mission Yahagi has pursued for years. His willingness to travel horses abroad and test them against elite opposition has changed perceptions of Japanese racing talent.

As Yahagi sipped his coffee and laughed about his long night, it was clear that the celebration had only just begun. “Winning here again means so much,” he said. “This one is for Forever Young, for Japan, and for everyone who believed in him.”