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Gulf Today
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Japanese star Forever Young poised for Dubai WC glory
The world's eyes now turn toward the golden sands of the UAE, where the curtain is about to rise on one of the most magnificent spectacles in the sporting world — the prestigious Dubai World Cup. On Saturday, under the opulent lights of the iconic Meydan Racecourse, a constellation of equine stars will gather to contest not only riches beyond compare, but eternal glory on racing's grandest international stage. With a total prize purse exceeding $30 million, including $12 million for the main race alone, 29th running of this event promises a night of sheer drama and brilliance, as a star-studded ensemble of the world's finest thoroughbreds battle for supremacy. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi can discern 'no shadows of doubt' as his formidable four-year-old, Forever Young, prepares to etch another glorious chapter following his unforgettable triumph in the Saudi Cup. Just six weeks ago in Riyadh, a breathtaking duel unfolded as Forever Young locked horns with the valiant Romantic Warrior, snatching victory by the slenderest of margins – a neck – as the rest of the esteemed field trailed far behind, vanquished by a significant ten lengths or more. Yahagi believes that overwhelming Dubai World Cup favourite Forever Young has taken a step forward from his epic defeat of Romantic Warrior in Riyadh last month, while jockey Ryusei Sakai is determined to make up for some heartbreaking near-misses in 2024. Forever Young finished a narrow third in both the G1 Kentucky Derby (2000m) and the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic (2000m) during his three-year-old season, while stablemate Shin Emperor — one of the leading contenders for Saturday's $6 million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) - was also third in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m), as well as going down by a neck to Do Deuce when dead-heating for second in the G1 Japan Cup (2400m). Looking ahead to the two colts' major assignments at Meydan on Saturday, Sakai said: 'It's a mixed feeling as obviously there is pressure. But personally I really appreciate the opportunity given to me to ride top-class horses, not only in Japan but also on the world stage. 'Last year we were unable to win a Group 1 overseas with these two horses but this year we're coming back to win as many races as possible with them, and perhaps every race.' Such ambition is shared by his mentor Yahagi who, despite playing up to frequent media mentions of Sakai's youth by referring to him as 'my apprentice', said that both colts were fine-tuned to produce standout performances on Saturday. 'The Dubai World Cup is a race that in Japan we always want to win,' said Yahagi. 'In 2011, straight after a devastating earthquake in Japan, Victoire Pisa won it and Transcend finished second. 'That was meaningful for the people; they were encouraged by that and this race, which has a prestigious history, has become more and more popular.' If Forever Young can do what many — if not most — expect on Saturday, then that affection for the Dubai World Cup will become even deeper and more enduring. Another highlight of the 29th edition is the winners of four Group 1 races on Dubai World Cup night – including the $12 million main event – will receive direct entry to the Breeders' Cup in the US later this year thanks to a new partnership between the two prestigious events. The Dubai Racing Club announced a partnership whereby winners of the Dubai World Cup, Dubai Golden Shaheen, Dubai Sheema Classic and Dubai Turf will gain automatic entry to the Breeders' Cup meeting. Ushba Tesoro, who aims to become the first horse to ever reclaim his Dubai World Cup crown, enjoyed the final workout of his career in front of a packed track on Friday morning. The 2023 Dubai World Cup winner will retire to stud after Saturday's race and his easy lap was closely watched by those trackside. 'He just likes it here,' said trainer Noboru Takagi. 'It is a fitting place for him to have his final start. He has been an amazing horse.' The final touches to Bhupat Seemar's Dubai World Cup duo have passed without a hitch as the trainer prepares to defend his title in Saturday's feature race. Seemar saddled Laurel River to a dominant success in last year's event and will be represented by Imperial Emperor and Walk Of Stars this time around. Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
Gulf Today
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Yahagi welcomes middle draw for DWC contender Forever Young
The G1 Saudi Cup winner Forever Young drew stall five for Saturday's $12 million G1 Dubai World Cup (sponsored by Emirates Airline). A relaxed Yoshito Yahagi said of his stable star: 'We thought [beforehand] that the wider we got, the better. I didn't want stall one or two for him so he gets a fair race, though it's not a big matter anyway. 'He is the best horse I have trained so far. He's got a sound mind and a great attitude. He should be comfortable with the middle draw, and hopefully all goes well for him on the race night.' Yahagi believes that Forever Young has taken a step forward from his epic defeat of Romantic Warrior in Riyadh last month, while jockey Ryusei Sakai is determined to make up for some heartbreaking near-misses in 2024. Forever Young finished a narrow third in both the G1 Kentucky Derby (2000m) and the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic (2000m) during his three-year-old season The 2023 Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro will break from stall four. He drew eight when successful two years ago. His stablemate Wilson Tesoro will emerge from stall three in a bid to reverse Saudi Cup form with Forever Young and Ushba Tesoro. Trainer Noboru Takagi said of Wilson Tesoro that he was 'happy to avoid a wide draw' while the habitually slow-starting Ushba Tesoro would 'run his own race, regardless of the draw.' Front-runner Walk Of Stars will have the ideal draw from stall one when he bids to follow up January's success in the Al Maktoum Challenge. His trainer Bhupat Seemar said it was a 'great draw' and expects his horse to be 'rocking and rolling' with Forever Young. His stablemate Imperial Emperor finished second that day and he will have to defy a high draw in ten to avenge that defeat. That fate proved no issue for last year's winner Laurel River, who succeeded from the widest gate in 12 last year. Ryan Tongue, representing owners Deva Racing, said: 'When there was two and ten left, I was hoping for two of course, but he's a very uncomplicated horse. He was stall 14 last time and he's done very well from that draw, so I'm not really concerned.' Seemar added he was 'uncomplicated' and 'straightforward'. Seemar is well aware of the formidable Japanese challenge in Dubai, particularly Forever Young. 'He's probably one of the best horses in the world,' Seemar said. 'But he can have a bad day as well. Absolutely, this is horse racing. You've got to be in the race to win it.' Ramjet, who has chased home Forever Young on his last three starts, will break from stall nine, though trainer Shozo Sasaki feels that won't be any inconvenience. Sasaki said: 'We won't go forward and with only 11 horses it doesn't really matter.' Rattle N Roll, who is bidding to become the first American winner since Country Grammer in 2022, will exit the gates from stall two. His trainer Kenny McPeek said: 'The inside draw was good. It's a long run to the first turn and he can tuck in and find his way from there. In these races you need to save as much ground as possible.' Trainer Antonio Sano said he 'would have preferred the middle to inside or outside' and was granted that wish for Il Miracolo in six. His owner Eduardo Soto added his horse was a 'competitor' and said there was 'no better position to be in'. Leandro Mora, assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill, said stall 11 was the 'perfect position' for Katonah, while he had been 'hoping for five or four' for Mixto, who will emerge from gate eight. Hit Show will break from stall seven. Of the stars on show elsewhere, Romantic Warrior drew barrier nine in his bid for a 11th Group 1 win in the Dubai Turf (sponsored by DP World). The Hong Kong champion was a dominant winner of the Jebel Hatta over the same course and distance in January, when he broke from gate one. His rider James McDonald said: 'I'm hoping nine is going to be my lucky number on Saturday [his other mount Howdeepisyourlove is also in nine for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint]. I'd rather nine than one. He'll be able to do his thing from there.' A berth of four looks unlikely to cause any issues for Godolphin's superstar Rebel's Romance in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic. He defied stall 11 when victorious a year ago and will bid to become the first back-to-back winner of the race.
