Riyadh – On an exceptional night that blended the heritage of horses with a vision for the future, and under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and on behalf of the Crown Prince, Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Governor of Riyadh, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, crowned the crew of the Japanese horse “Forever Young” with the title of the seventh edition of the Saudi Cup 2026, thus writing its name in letters of gold in the history of global speed racing.
Japanese dominance and unprecedented achievement
King Abdulaziz Equestrian Field in Janadriyah witnessed a historic event unprecedented since the launch of the world's most expensive championship in 2020. The horse "Forever Young", owned by Japanese businessman Sesoma Fujita, succeeded in breaking all expectations and retaining the title for the second year in a row, becoming the first horse in the history of the championship to achieve this difficult double.
The Japanese champion covered the 1800-meter race distance in 1 minute and 51.027 seconds, narrowly and dramatically edging out his fierce rival, the horse "Nessus," by 0.19 seconds. With this victory, "Forever Young" claimed the top prize of $10 million from the main race's total prize purse of $20 million, reaffirming the dominance of Japanese horses on international dirt tracks.
Historical context and global significance of the event
This seventh edition of the Saudi Cup reaffirms the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's established position as a leading global destination for equestrian sports. Since its inception, the Saudi Cup has transcended its status as merely a horse race, evolving into an international platform that brings together elite owners, trainers, and jockeys from across the globe, reflecting the success of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in bolstering the sports sector and hosting major events.
The retention of the title by a Japanese horse reflects a remarkable shift in the balance of power in the world of horse racing. The Japanese school, under the guidance of veteran trainer Yoshito Yah who oversaw this achievement, has become a formidable force, competing with the most prestigious American and European stables. This international competition enhances the market and technical value of the championship and draws global attention to Riyadh as a capital of modern equestrianism.
Details of the evening and the champions of the accompanying races
The excitement wasn't limited to the main event; the evening, which boasted a total prize pool of $36.9 million, also featured fierce competition across various categories, with the following results:
- Neom Cup (Class 1): The horse "Royal Champion" won it, taking home a prize of $3 million.
- Red Sea Cup (Category 2): Won by “Snace & Lovers” with a prize of $2.5 million.
- Arabian Horse Cup: “First Class” shone under the leadership of trainer Duke Watson.
- Cup 1351 (G2): Won by “Reef Runner” ridden by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Riyadh Speed Cup: “Imagination” snatched it under the supervision of world-renowned trainer Bob Baffert.
- The Saudi Derby Cup was won by the horse “Al-Haram” owned by Sheikh Abdullah Hamoud Al-Malik Al-Sabah.
The evening concluded with a festive atmosphere that reflected the impressive organization and the remarkable public and international attendance, thus consolidating the Saudi Cup's status as an icon on the global sports calendar.
