Horse racing news: After making history yet again, where next for Japanese star Forever Young in 2026?
It’s fair to say that Forever Young is Japan’s new idol horse.
The reigning Breeders’ Cup Classic champion was crowned 2025 Horse of the Year by the Japanese Racing Association, becoming the first dirt horse in history to win the accolade. The award capped off a historic year for the son of Real Steel.
His year started with a well-fought victory after a titanic clash with Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior in the Saudi Cup.
Forever Young then became the first Japanese-trained winner of America’s most prestigious race.
But what lies ahead for Yoshito Yahagi’s history-making five-year-old in 2026? Sports News Blitz’s Kieran McHugh explores.
Defending the crown
Forever Young will return to defend his crown in the $20 million Saudi Cup, looking to create more history by being the first back-to-back victor of the race.
Following that, he will have another crack at the Dubai World Cup, in which he finished third to Hit Show last year.
Plans for a potential autumn campaign are currently up in the air, with the big question being whether Forever Young stays on dirt or has a go on turf.
Yahagi seemed to suggest a tilt at Europe’s richest race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, before potentially signing off in Japan’s biggest race- the Arima Kinen.
The world’s best dirt horse running in the biggest turf races in the world would be a sight to behold.
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Cementing a legacy
If he did the impossible and won one, or both, it would cement his legacy as one of Japan’s best ever thoroughbreds.
A more likely option is that he stays on dirt, with a showdown with America’s star dirt performer from last year - Sovereignty - on the cards.
The Champions Cup at Chukyo is one race missing from Forever Young’s CV, and he could double up in the Tokyo Daishoten (Japan Cup Dirt) later on in the month.
It is unclear whether Forever Young will race on after the culmination of this year, but he is already a racing legend in Japan and further afield.
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