Forever Young (JPN) made sporting history at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday as he became the first two-time winner of the Group 1 USD$20m Saudi Cup.
Yoshito Yahagi’s undisputed dirt champion found a perfect gap along the inside rail turning into the home straight and he used his will, class and determination to fend off a brave challenge from Nysos (USA) by one length in a final time of 1:51.027.
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Banishing (USA) and Thundersquall (GB) had led the field along the backstretch with Nysos tracking. Meanwhile, Forever Young and jockey Ryusei Sakai sat just behind those horses, but hugging the rail in a tactical move that ultimately worked out perfectly.
Forever Young and Nysos went head-to-head in the last 400m, but this incredible globetrotting 5-year-old, who took The Saudi Cup 12 months ago in a gripping encounter with Romantic Warrior (IRE) and went on to land the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic on his final start of 2025, is an almost impossible horse to pass when in front and with the bit between his teeth. Tumbarumba (USA) came from off the pace to claim third ahead of Bishops Bay (USA).
It was actually a third victory out of the seven renewals of this meeting for Forever Young, who also has a Saudi Derby success to his name and continues his progression towards legendary status.
Royal Champion Proves His Class In Neom Turf Cup
Karl Burke’s astonishingly progressive 8-year-old Royal Champion (IRE) secured his second straight victory and easily his biggest yet in the Group 1 USD$3m Neom Turf Cup Presented by Howden.
Japanese filly Yamanin Bouclier (JPN) jumped quickly and set the pace, while Royal Champion was settled in fourth position under Oisin Murphy.
With 600m remaining, the son of Shamardal was guided a bit wide to find a clear path and quickened home with a remarkable turn of foot, clearing away in the last 200m for a decisive victory.
A winner of the G2 Bahrain International Trophy in November, he reached the summit in this newly upgraded event in truly impressive style for his British-based trainer, easing four and three-quarter lengths clear in a time of 2:06.221.
It was a poignant moment as Royal Champion’s acclaimed owner-breeder, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, died late last year. Mickael Barzalona riding Facteur Cheval (IRE) finished second with Survie (IRE) and Ryan Moore in third.
Al Haram Flies Late For Famous Saudi Derby Success
The Group 3 USD$1.5m Saudi Derby Presented by ZOOD Realty was won in dramatic style by Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah’s Al Haram (IRE) as he confirmed himself a colt with a very bright future.
American raider Obliteration (USA), trained by Steve Asmussen, broke sharply from gate 7 and set the early pace, with Satono Voyage (JPN) tracking comfortably on his outside.
Keita Tosaki then guided the Japanese runner Satono Voyage to the front at the top of the stretch but Obliteration battled back along the rail and the race appeared set for a thrilling head-to-head duel between the pair.
However, Al Haram, who had been tracking in mid-division toward the rear, finished sharply and caught them both inside the final 50m to secure victory by a length and a quarter.
Ridden by Ricardo Ferreira, Al Haram stopped the clock in 1:38.453. The unbeaten colt is now four-from-four and could be set for an international campaign.
