Two relatives have the opportunity to reunite at the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4 at Churchill Downs. In a unique occurrence, FOREVER YOUNG, an unbeaten champion of the UAE Derby (G2), is preparing to travel from Japan to Kentucky for the Derby. There, he will face off against his relative, SIERRA LEONE, who emerged victorious in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and is scheduled to participate in the upcoming Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on Saturday.
Forever Young is the offspring of the talented mare Forever Darling, who achieved victory in the Santa Ynez Stakes (2). This exceptional horse was bred by Debby Oxley and had the privilege of being raced by Katsumi Yoshida. Sierra Leone's dam is the half-sister of Forever Darling, known as Heavenly Love. Heavenly Love, a talented racehorse sired by Malibu Moon, achieved a remarkable victory in the Grade 1 Alcibiades Stakes in 2017. This impressive win was for Oxley, the owner, and Heavenly Love, who went on to become the dam of Sierra Leone.
Forever Darling and Heavenly Love were created by Debbie Oxley's successful racehorse, Darling My Darling, who was the offspring of the renowned deputy minister and a highly regarded sire from Ontario.
Forever Young showcased Japan's talent on Dubai World Cup night with a bold and calculated performance. Jockey Ryusei Sakai expertly positioned the horse in fifth place, strategically navigating the field before making a decisive move on the home turn to overtake Auto Bahn.
By doing this, he provided an opportunity for trainer Yoshito Yahagi, a well-known and beloved figure in international racing, to honour his late father, who had passed away in Japan shortly before the race.
"I want to dedicate this win to my teacher, mentor, and father who passed away this morning," Yahagi emotionally expressed during a press conference with international media.
Pandagate performed admirably by finishing strong in third place, but it was evident that Forever Young's victory was inevitable when Sakai carefully assessed the competition from the inside 400 meters from the finish line.
With a lineage connected to the 2016 Dubai Turf champion Real Steel, Forever Young emerged as a strong contender for the Japanese team on World Cup night.
In stark contrast to his triumph in the G3 Saudi Derby (1600m) – where he faced obstacles due to traffic and the shorter distance, resulting in a nail-biting finish – Forever Young appeared to be the clear frontrunner from a considerable distance.
By distancing themselves from Auto Bahn, Forever Young earned an impressive 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, guaranteeing a spot in the highly anticipated Run for the Roses. Both Yahagi and owner Susumu Fujita are eager to embrace this exciting opportunity.
The duration for a distance of 1 3/16 miles was 1:57.89
"Undoubtedly, it will pose a great challenge to ensure the horse's well-being during the journey from Dubai to Kentucky. However, I have full confidence in my team's ability to ensure his optimal condition," expressed Yahagi.
Detailing the enhancement following his triumph in the Saudi Derby, Yahagi elaborated: "Due to a less-than-ideal journey from Japan to Saudi Arabia, his physical state was not optimal. Nevertheless, he delivered an impressive performance." Following his journey from Riyadh to Dubai, he has shown remarkable growth and tremendous potential. I have always had unwavering faith in his abilities.
The young man stated: "The horse's state improved after the Saudi Derby, so I had great assurance that it would deliver a strong performance for me." I have complete faith in the horse, and its performance was truly outstanding.
Regarding the upcoming challenge at Churchill Downs, Sakai expressed his belief that this horse, who remains undefeated, is the top three-year-old champion in Japan. I will put in every effort to get ready for Kentucky.
Fujita expressed some initial worries but ultimately praised the horse for its impressive skills.
In just my third season as an owner with the Japan Racing Association, I've already discovered a remarkable champion racehorse. His ongoing ability to captivate a global audience with the Kentucky Derby suggests that he stands a strong chance. I am eager to emphasize my desire to emerge victorious in the Dubai World Cup.