Japanese Star Forever Young Claims Breeders’ Cup Classic Victory
The globe-trotting Forever Young captured the $7-million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar Saturday, reversing his fortunes against last year’s top two finishers before a crowd of 35,173.
The Japanese-bred 4-year-old colt held off defending champion Sierra Leone by a half-length, with favored Fierceness finishing third another length back.
“Fierceness and Sierra Leone will be retired, so this was the last chance against these two guys,” said owner Susumu Fujita. “It is my dream to beat these two horses. So, it’s a dream come true.”
The victory marked Forever Young’s third appearance on American soil. He previously finished a narrow third in the 2024 Kentucky Derby behind Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone in a roughly run contest.
Despite the late-week defection of leading Horse of the Year candidate Sovereignty, the Classic delivered a compelling showdown among the sport’s elite.
Sierra Leone’s stablemate Contrary Thinking set aggressive early fractions with Forever Young tracking closely in second. Champion Fierceness raced in an inside third through an opening quarter in :23.04.
Forever Young seized the lead on the far turn as Journalism and Baeza moved into contention. Sierra Leone, last of nine early, began his closing rally while Fierceness angled off the rail for his run.
The Japanese star maintained his advantage down the stretch, covering the 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.19.
“Last time here on prep race was 75 percent condition, and this time we create 100 percent condition,” said trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who earned his third Breeders’ Cup victory. “Everything Forever Young did, my order. That means that Forever Young is an amazing horse.”
For jockey Ryusei Sakai, the Classic provided his first Breeders’ Cup win.
Forever Young’s impressive resume includes victories in the G1 Saudi Cup, G3 Saudi Derby, G2 U.A.E. Derby, Japan Dirt Classic and G1 Tokyo Daishoten. His only recent start came in Japan on October 1, when he won his Classic prep race.
Both Sierra Leone and Fierceness made their final career starts, with both stallion prospects headed to Coolmore’s Ashford Stud for the 2026 breeding season.
“Listen, him and Forever Young are closely related and they’ve had a wonderful rivalry from the Derby on. Today, it was Forever Young’s day to find the winner’s circle and hats off to them,” said Chad Brown, trainer of runner-up Sierra Leone.
Pedigree Notes
Forever Young, a ¥98,000,000 ($720,603) JRHAYF yearling, is one of five graded/group winners for Real Steel. His dam, Forever Darling, won the 2016 GII Santa Ynez Stakes and has produced multiple stakes winners including G3 Artemis Stakes winner Brown Ratchet.
Notably, Forever Young’s second dam is Darling My Darling, who produced 2017 GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes winner Heavenly Love — the dam of Sierra Leone. This close familial connection adds another layer to the rivalry between the Classic’s top two finishers.
Forever Young’s yearling half-brother by Rey de Oro was purchased by Fujita for ¥330,000,000 ($2,241,865) at this year’s JRHA Select Sale.
The victory pushed Forever Young’s career earnings to $19,358,590 with a lifetime record of 10 wins from 13 starts.
A Champion crowned on racing’s biggest stage. 🌟 Forever Young takes the @Longines #BreedersCup Classic! #BC25
Congrats to the connections!
J: Ryusei Sakai
T: Yoshito Yahagi
O: Susumu Fujita
B: Northern Racingフォーエバーヤング pic.twitter.com/n9mRMCU3tJ
— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup)
A Champion crowned on racing’s biggest stage. 🌟 Forever Young takes the November 1, 2025
