Saudi Arabia hosted the world’s richest horse racing event, the 2025 Saudi Cup, at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh. As part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, the prestigious event saw top thoroughbreds and jockeys competing for glory and a $20 million prize purse.

In a thrilling finish, Forever Young secured victory, defeating Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior in the 1,800-meter race. The Japanese-bred horse, trained by Yoshito Yahagi and ridden by Ryusei Sakai, gained momentum in the final stretch to claim the win.

Forever Young had previously finished third in the 2024 Kentucky Derby and has now cemented his status as a rising star in the racing world. His dramatic triumph earned him $10 million, half of the total prize fund, and further established Japan’s growing dominance in global horse racing.

Excited by the victory, Yahagi, while appraising his opponent, still considered his own horse superior. “Romantic Warrior is such a strong horse, we respected him but our horse was better today.“

Winning his second cup in six years, the jockey was surprised by his own performance, as the horse had not been extensively prepared for the event and was competing against a formidable opponent like Romantic Warrior. “I was thinking if my horse passed Romantic Warrior, that was more romantic than the movies.” This year’s Saudi Cup once again lived up to its reputation, delivering unforgettable moments and showcasing the best in the sport.

What is the 2025 Saudi Cup?

The Saudi Cup Night consists of eight high-stakes races, held over two days, with the main event, the Saudi Cup, taking place on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The event offers a total purse of $20 million, with the winner receiving $10 million.

Last year’s 2024 Saudi Cup winner was Panthalassa, not Senor Buscador, as previously stated. Panthalassa made history as the first Japanese-trained horse to win the event. This time, it was the 1600m G3 Saudi Derby and the 1900m G2 UAE Derby winner, Forever Young, taking the 2025 title.

Forever Young’s unexpected but well-earned victory has made headlines worldwide, capturing the attention of racing fans and solidifying his place in history. With another Japanese thoroughbred winning this year’s event, Forever Young left behind Romantic Warrior and jockey James McDonald to become the highlight of the match. Other Japanese-bred horses participating in the event included Wilson Tesoro, Ramjet, and Ushba Tesoro.

Becoming one of the leading dirt horses with this victory, the Japanese-bred colt gained prominence from the Tokyo Daishoten races, a Group 1 event. Yahagi, Young’s trainer, is now looking forward to securing a second Breeders’ Cup title after finishing third in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic. However, with ample time to prepare, the team’s immediate focus is on the upcoming 2025 Dubai World Cup.