Forever Young (horse)

Forever Young was bred at Northern Farm stud in Hokkaido, Japan, and was foaled on February 24, 2021. In 2022, he was consigned as a foal to the JRHA Select Sale and was bought for ¥98,000,000 (US${{Formatnum:{{To USD|98000000|Japan}}}}) gross by Susumu Fujita. Afterwards, he was trained by Yoshito Yahagi.{{Cite web|url=https://blog.goo.ne.jp/umaichi_news/e/1a3b41a5a58af2fecb2f16e2b3289b3c|script-title=ja:セレクトセール出身馬【フォーエバーヤング(Forever Young)】が「JBC2歳優駿(2歳Jpn3)」を優勝|work=Umaichi.com|access-date=March 9, 2024|language=ja}}

His sire, Real Steel, was a champion horse which won the Dubai Turf in 2016.{{Cite web |title=Real Steel(JPN) |script-title= |url=https://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001157711/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=JBIS Search |language=en}} His dam, Forever Darling, who was an American racehorse, won the Grade II Santa Ynez Stakes in 2016.{{Cite web |title=Forever Darling(USA) |script-title= |url=https://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001211973/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=JBIS Search |language=en}}

His owner, {{Interlanguage link|Susumu Fujita (businessman)|lt=Susumu Fujita|ja|藤田晋}}, is the founder and president of CyberAgent, whose subsidiaries include Abema and Cygames. Forever Young is named after a song of the same name by AK-69 featuring UVERworld.{{cite web|url=https://www.jra.go.jp/JRADB/accessU.html?CNAME=pw01dud002021105727/91|script-title=ja:競走馬情報 フォーエバーヤング Forever Young（JPN）|publisher=Japan Racing Association|access-date=March 9, 2024|language=ja}}{{cite tweet|author=Fujita, Susumu|user=susumu_fujita|number=1760870729422446964|script-title=ja:サウジダービー 日本時間明日24日23時、フォーエバーヤング出走予定。 馬名の由来、これを聴いて奮えて待つ。|date=February 23, 2024|access-date=March 9, 2024|language=ja}} The song is the theme song of Abema's drama series {{ill|Kaisha wa Gakkou janen da yo|ja|会社は学校じゃねぇんだよ}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2105849/full/|script-title=ja:AbemaTV藤田晋社長の著書をベースにオリジナルドラマ 主演は三浦翔平|work=Oricon News|publisher=Oricon|date=February 16, 2018|access-date=March 9, 2024|language=ja}} In an interview, Fujita said Forever Young can be a popular uma musume ("horse girl") in Uma Musume Pretty Derby, a multimedia franchise created by Cygames, if it wins the Kentucky Derby.{{cite web|url= https://keiba.sponichi.co.jp/news/20240502s00004000646000c |script-title=ja: 【藤田晋オーナー語る（上）】ケンタッキーD　フォーエバーヤングで日本馬初快挙へ「将来ウマ娘で…」 |website=Sports Nippon|date=May 3, 2024|access-date=October 2, 2024|language=ja}}

File:ForeverYoung-20231014-kyotorc.jpg

Forever Young began his racing career in a contest for previously unraced juveniles over 1,800 metres on good ground at Kyoto Racecourse on October 14, 2023. Ridden by Ryusei Sakai, he started the 16/5 second choice and won by four lengths.{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20231014-OHT1T51075.html?page=1|script-title=ja:【京都４Ｒ・２歳新馬】フォーエバーヤングが快勝　坂井瑠星騎手「色々勉強しながら、その中で勝てたのは良かった」|website=Sports Hochi|date=October 14, 2023|access-date=March 9, 2024|language=ja}}

Sakai was again in the saddle when the colt was stepped up in domestic Group 3 class to contest the {{Interlanguage link|JBC Nisai Yushun|ja|JBC2歳優駿}} over the same distance at {{Interlanguage link|Monbetsu Racecourse|ja|門別競馬場}} in the following month on November 3, 2023. He started the 6/5 favourite and prevailed by one-and-a-half lengths.{{cite web|url=https://www.sanspo.com/race/article/general/20231104-V5LGFUA3HRJGTPIODG4GC7DYTU/|script-title=ja:【ＪＢＣ２歳優駿】フォーエバーヤングがデビュー２連勝でＶ！　矢作師「かなりの大物」|website=Sankei Sports|date=November 3, 2023|access-date=March 9, 2024|language=ja}}

On December 13 at Kawasaki Racecourse, Forever Young stepped up to Domestic Group 1 class to contest Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun over 1,600 metres. He started the 11/10 favourite in the betting and won by seven lengths from {{Interlanguage link|Aigle Noir (horse)|lt=Aigle Noir|ja|イーグルノワール}}.{{cite web|url=https://hochi.news/articles/20231213-OHT1T51195.html?page=1|script-title=ja:【全日本２歳優駿】圧勝フォーエバーヤングの藤田晋オーナー、初Ｇ１制覇は”休肝日”で目撃「ダート３冠、サウジやケンタッキーもある」|website=Sports Hochi|date=December 13, 2023|access-date=March 9, 2024|language=ja}} This is the first time Fujita had a horse that won a Group 1 race. Forever Young is from the second crop of foals sired by Real Steel, and became the first Group 1 race winner among Real Steel's progeny.{{cite web|url=https://g-journal.jp/2024/02/post_377053.html|script-title=ja:「大躍進」のスワーヴリチャードに引けを取らない名種牡馬!?「海外制覇」フォーエバーヤングの活躍から見えるリアルスティール産駒の可能性|website=GJ|date=February 28, 2024|access-date=March 11, 2024|language=ja}}

For his performance in 2023, he received a rating of 113 from {{Interlanguage link|JPN Thoroughbred Ranking|ja|JPNサラブレッドランキング}}, which is the highest rating of two-year-old dirt racing horses in the history of the ranking system.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/275116/forever-young-faces-international-foes-in-saudi-derby|title=Forever Young Faces International Foes in Saudi Derby|website=BloodHorse|date=February 18, 2024|access-date=March 11, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://news.netkeiba.com/?pid=news_view&no=254331|script-title=ja:3歳芝トップはリバティアイランドでレーティング121 2023年度JPNサラブレッドランキング発表|website=Netkeiba|date=January 24, 2024|access-date=March 11, 2024|language=ja}} Among the five two-year-olds with a rating of 113 or above, {{Interlanguage link|Shin Emperor|ja|シンエンペラー}}, whose rating was 113, is also owned by Fujita.{{Cite web |title=Shin Emperor(FR) |script-title=ja:シンエンペラー(FR) |url=https://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001365860/ |access-date=March 12, 2024 |website=JBIS Search |language=en}}{{NoteTag|For 2023, Jantar Mantar, the winner of the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, received a rating of 115 from JPN Thoroughbred Ranking, which was the highest among all two-year-olds. Four other two-years-olds received a rating of 113, including Ascoli Piceno, Regaleira, Shin Emperor and Forever Young.}}

File:フォーエバーヤング 東京大賞典優勝時.jpg

On his first run as a three-year-old, Forever Young went to Saudi Arabia to run in the Group III Saudi Derby over 1,600 metres on February 24, 2024. He started the 8/13 odds-on favourite with British bookmakers and won by only a nose. In the race, he had a rough start and had to make up for the four-to-five-length difference from the leading horse, Book'em Danno, in the middle of the final straight. He finished the race in 1:36.17, about two seconds faster than the track record for the distance. This is the first time a horse of Fujita won an overseas graded race. After the race, his trainer, Yahagi, said the next race would be the UAE Derby to obtain Kentucky Derby points for taking part in the Kentucky Derby. By February, he ranked second on Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby,{{cite web|url=https://tospo-keiba.jp/breaking_news/42354|script-title=ja:【サウジダービー】無傷４連勝でＶのフォーエバーヤング　矢作師の視線は「ＵＡＥからケンタッキーへ」|website=Tokyo Sports|date=February 25, 2024|access-date=March 9, 2024|language=ja}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/275225/forever-young-edges-bookem-danno-in-saudi-derby|title=Forever Young Edges Book'em Danno in Saudi Derby|website=BloodHorse|date=February 24, 2024|access-date=March 11, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.breeders.co.jp/pages/113/detail=1/b_id=900/r_id=675/|script-title=ja:リアルスティール産駒フォーエバーヤングがサウジダービー-G3で海外重賞制覇！|website=Thoroughbred Breeders Club|date=February 26, 2024|access-date=March 11, 2024|language=ja}} trailing behind {{Interlanguage link|Ramjet (horse)|lt=Ramjet|ja|ラムジェット (競走馬)}}, the winner of the Hyacinth Stakes.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/275117/ramjet-grabs-lead-in-japan-road-to-the-kentucky-derby|title=Ramjet Grabs Lead in "Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby"|website=BloodHorse|date=February 18, 2024|access-date=March 11, 2024}}

On March 30, Forever Young ran in the 1,900-meter Group II UAE Derby held at Meydan Racecourse dirt in Dubai, with jockey Ryusei Sakai. Forever Young was assigned to the outside, in gate 11. He came out of the gate well, took a position outside and behind the leaders. Moving into the stretch, the field straightened. South American Auto Bahn went to the front but could not withstand Forever Young, who came up strongly to win by two lengths in a time of 1:57.89. Trainer Yahagi commented after the race, "It will be very difficult to go from Dubai to Kentucky. But I believe my team will do everything to be in good order to go to Kentucky." Jockey Sakai also added that Forever Young "very much improved" after the Saudi Derby, adding, "That's why I have confidence in him. I really trust this horse." Forever Young collected 100 qualification points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby and entered the event undefeated.{{cite web |title=UAE Derby Score Propels Forever Young Into KY Derby; The colt earned 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and is set to go. |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/275930/uae-derby-score-propels-forever-young-into-ky-derby |website=Bloodhorse.com |last1=Kieckhefer |first1=Bob |date=March 30, 2024 |access-date=16 April 2024}}

In the early morning hours of April 13, Forever Young arrived at Churchill Downs, having been conditioned by Yahagi. The following morning rider Yusaku Oka took the colt out for about 20 minutes of jogging in the course's one-mile chute, followed by a {{frac|1|1|8}}-mile gallop.{{cite web |title=Forever Young Takes First Churchill Gallop, Honor Marie Breezes |url=https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/forever-young-takes-first-churchill-gallop-honor-marie-breezes/ |website=Thoroughbred Daily News |access-date=16 April 2024 |date=14 April 2024}} The following month, on May 4, Forever Young raced the 150th Kentucky Derby where the horse was placed in the rear of the pack after a relatively bad start. Just before the 3rd corner the horse started to move in from the outside, eventually catching up with front runner Mystik Dan on the final stretch together with Sierra Leone, resulting in a three way photo finish where the horse was declared to have finished third behind the two horses by a nose and head.{{cite web |last=King |first=Byron |date=2024-05-04 |title=Mystik Dan Holds off Sierra Leone to Win Kentucky Derby |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/276680/mystik-dan-holds-off-sierra-leone-to-win-kentucky-derby |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505031639/https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/276680/mystik-dan-holds-off-sierra-leone-to-win-kentucky-derby |archive-date=2024-05-05 |access-date=2025-03-03 |publisher=The Blood-Horse}}{{cite web |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Mystik Dan wins 150th Kentucky Derby by nose in photo finish |url=https://www.espn.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/40083982/mystik-dan-wins-150th-kentucky-derby-photo-finish |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514023719/https://www.espn.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/40083982/mystik-dan-wins-150th-kentucky-derby-photo-finish |archive-date=2024-05-14 |accessdate=2025-03-03 |publisher=ESPN}}{{Cite news |date=2024-05-05 |title=【米・ケンタッキーダービー結果】10番人気ミスティックダンV フォーエバーヤング僅差3着、テーオーパスワード5着 |url=https://news.netkeiba.com/?pid=news_view&no=263688 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505001051/https://news.netkeiba.com/?pid=news_view&no=263688 |archive-date=2024-05-05 |accessdate=2025-03-03 |newspaper=netkeiba.com |language=ja}}

Forever Young was returned to Japan following the race, and after quarantine and recuperating at Northern Farm Hayakita, the horse was entered in to the Japan Dirt Classic held at Ohi Racecourse on October 2, which was the final leg of the Japanese Dirt Triple Crown. The horse briefly tripped after leaving the starting the gate but managed to place itself in the middle of the pack. The horse gradually pushed its position up after the 3rd corner, taking over the lead as the pack was entering the final stretch, finishing the race at first place, and earning his 2nd Jpn-1 title.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-02 |title=【ジャパンダートクラシック】フォーエバーヤングが堂々抜け出しV！砂の3歳国内最強を証明しいざBCクラシックへ |url=https://www.sanspo.com/race/article/general/20241002-LHIKIIBR5RGFNKIFRB7T56IH3Y/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=サンスポZBAT! |language=ja}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-02 |title=【ジャパンダートクラシック】フォーエバーヤングV！！坂井「ホっとした」米BCクラシックへ弾み |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/gamble/news/2024/10/02/kiji/20241002s00004000093000c.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=スポニチ Sponichi Annex |language=ja}}

Following the Japan Dirt Classic, Forever Young was sent to the United States once again, this time to contest the Breeders' Cup Classic. However, he finished third behind Sierra Leone.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-14 |title=ＢＣクラシック３着のフォーエバーヤングは来年のサウジ、ドバイ遠征を視野【次走報】 |url=https://tospo-keiba.jp/breaking_news/51702 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=東スポ競馬 |language=ja}}

After the Breeders' Cup, Forever Young returned to Japan to contest the Tokyo Daishoten for his final race of the season. At that race, Forever Young ran second for most of the race, before quickly taking the lead on the stretch and holding off the lead even as {{Interlanguage link|Ramjet (horse)|lt=Ramjet|ja|ラムジェット (競走馬)}} and {{Interlanguage link|Wilson Tesoro|ja|ウィルソンテソーロ}} closed in; earning his first Grade I title and finishing the season undefeated in Japan.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-29 |title=【東京大賞典】フォーエバーヤングV！ダート界制圧 坂井「世界一を目指している馬」 |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/gamble/news/2024/12/29/kiji/20241229s00004049071000c.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=スポニチ Sponichi Annex |language=ja}}

Following his performance, Forever Young was awarded the JRA Special Award for that year. Forever Young also received 103 votes for being named the Best Three-Year-Old Colt that year, but lost out to Derby winner Danon Decile by 41 votes, and also received the second most votes for Best Dirt Horse and Japanese Horse of the Year.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-07 |title=【2024年度JRA賞】年度代表馬はドウデュース！ フォーエバーヤングに特別賞 |url=https://www.sanspo.com/race/article/general/20250107-PRSOFLCSDVK4VMRGWSJ43LFZG4/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=サンスポZBAT! |language=ja}}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-07 |title=【JRA賞】最優秀３歳牡馬はダノンデサイル！ フォーエバーヤングに41票差で選出 |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/keiba/news/202501070000544.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=nikkansports.com |language=ja}}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-08 |title=フォーエバーヤング特別賞 3部門で2位、矢作師「今年は年度代表馬を目指すぐらいの気持ちでいきたい」 |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/gamble/news/2025/01/08/kiji/20250107s00004000326000c.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=スポニチ Sponichi Annex |language=ja}}

Forever Young received invitation for both the Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup, both of which were accepted.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-15 |title=フォーエバーヤングら栗東所属の日本馬４頭がサウジカップデー諸競走の招待を受諾 |url=https://umatoku.hochi.co.jp/articles/20250115-OHT1T51093.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=UMATOKU {{!}} 馬トク - スポーツ報知' |language=ja-JP}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-07 |title=【注目馬動向】フォーエバーヤングとシンエンペラーがドバイ国際競走の招待を受諾 |url=https://umatoku.hochi.co.jp/articles/20250207-OHT1T51276.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=UMATOKU {{!}} 馬トク - スポーツ報知' |language=ja-JP}}

On February 22, the Saudi Cup was held, where the horse ran around 2nd or 3rd of the pack for most of the race. At the final stretch, Romantic Warrior briefly took the lead from Forever Young, before Forever Young regained the lead in what effectively became a match race between the two. The race ended with Forever Young beating Romantic Warrior by a neck, earning him his fourth Grade 1 title, and his first Grade 1 title outside Japan. The horse also became the third richest horse in JRA history, after adding the 10 million USD prize money. This was their first Grade I victory abroad for both Forever Young's jockey, Sakai, and owner, Susumu Fujita. It also made Forever Young's trainer, Yoshito Yahagi, the first trainer ever to win the Saudi Cup twice after he won the race with Panthalassa in 2023, and was his 16th graded race win abroad, including 9 Grade I races.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-23 |title=【サウジＣ】フォーエバーヤングが海外Ｇ１初制覇！ 香港最強馬とのマッチレース制す 矢作師「信じられない強さ」 |url=https://umatoku.hochi.co.jp/articles/20250222-OHT1T51355.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=UMATOKU {{!}} 馬トク - スポーツ報知' |language=ja-JP}} After the Saudi Cup, the horse was immediately sent to Dubai in preparation for the Dubai World Cup, together with Shin Emperor who won the {{Interlanguage link|Neom Turf Cup|ja|ネオムターフカップ}} that same day and was scheduled to run the Dubai Sheema Classic.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-03 |title=ドバイWCのブックメーカー前売りオッズは１倍台に！フォーエバーヤングは月曜に移動へ |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/keiba/news/202502230000874.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website= |publisher=Nikkan Sports |language=ja}}

{{refbegin}}

Notes:

An (*) asterisk after the odds means Forever Young was the post-time favourite.

{{refend}}

{{notelist|2}}

{{Pedigree|name=Forever Young (JPN), bay colt, February 24, 2021

|f=Real Steel
(2012)

|m=Forever Darling (US)
(2013)

|ff=Deep Impact
(2002)

|fm=Loves Only Me (USA)
(2006)

|mf=Congrats
(2000)

|mm=Darling My Darling
(1997)

|fff=Sunday Silence (USA)
(1986)

|ffm=Wind in Her Hair (IRE)
(1991)

|fmf=Storm Cat
(1983)

|fmm=Monevassia
(1994)

|mff=A.P. Indy
(1989)

|mfm=Praise
(1994)

|mmf=Deputy Minister (Canada)
(1979)

|mmm=Roamin Rachel
(1990)

|ffff=Halo (1969)

|fffm=Wishing Well (1975)

|ffmf=Alzao (USA) (1980)

|ffmm=Burghclere (GB) (1977)

|fmff=Storm Bird (CAN) (1978)

|fmfm=Terlingua (1976)

|fmmf=Mr Prospector* (1970)

|fmmm=Miesque (1984)

|mfff=Seattle Slew (1974)

|mffm=Weekend Surprise (1980)

|mfmf=Mr Prospector* (1970)

|mfmm=Wild Applause (1981)

|mmff = Vice Regent (1967)

|mmfm = Mint Copy (1970)

|mmmf = Mining (1984)

|mmmm = One Smart Lady (1984) (Family 2b){{cite web |title=Thoroughbred Bloodlines – SQUIRREL MARE (GB) – Family 2-b |url=https://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family2b.htm |website=www.bloodlines.net |access-date=April 14, 2024}}

}}

* Forever Young is inbred 4S x 4D to the stallion Mr Prospector, meaning that he appears fourth generation on the sire side of his pedigree and fourth generation on the dam side of his pedigree.

• Kentucky Derby top four finishers

• Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association – Forever Young race record{{Cite web|url=https://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001339834/record/ |title=Forever Young(JPN) |script-title=ja:全競走成績｜競走成績｜フォーエバーヤング |website=JBIS Search (English) |access-date=March 12, 2024 }}

• Netkeiba – Forever Young race record{{cite web |title=Forever Young |script-title=ja:フォーエバーヤング (Forever Young)の競走成績 |url=https://en.netkeiba.com/db/horse/result/2021105727/ |access-date=March 12, 2024 |website=Netkeiba (English)}}

{{NoteFoot}}

{{Reflist|2}}

Category:Thoroughbred racehorses

Category:Racehorses bred in Japan

Category:Racehorses trained in Japan

Category:2021 racehorse births

Category:Thoroughbred family 2-b

Category:Saudi Cup winners