Kentucky Derby Alumni Update: Forever Young

Jan 14, 2025 Sara Dacus/TwinSpires.com

In 2024, Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Forever Young became Japan’s most successful contender in the country’s twenty-year involvement in the 150-year-old race. The photo finish revealed he was only two noses behind winner Mystik Dan. Second-place finisher Sierra Leone, his cousin by pedigree, bumped him several times in the stretch, incidences which may have worked in Mystik Dan’s favor.

At 10-1 on the morning line, the great-grandson of 1989 Kentucky Derby champion Sunday Silence was touted as Japan’s best shot to date at winning the Derby. He entered the race with a 5-for-5 record, including victories in the Saudi Derby (G3) and the U.A.E. Derby (G2).

Where are our #ForeverYoung fans!? 🇯🇵 https://t.co/xXkb9HmhN2

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Forever Young’s trainer, Yoshito Yahagi, masterminded Japan’s breakthrough in the Breeders’ Cup with two wins in the 2021 championship series: Loves Only You in the Filly and Mare Turf (G1) and Marche Lorraine in the Distaff (G1).

Yahagi’s American success continued in 2023, when he and Forever Young’s jockey, Ryusei Sakai, qualified for the Kentucky Derby with Continuar and traveled to Churchill Downs for the classic. However, the trainer scratched the horse two days before the race, feeling that he wasn’t in peak shape. Yahagi and Sakai stayed to experience the Derby Day atmosphere, gaining knowledge they found helpful for their 2024 bid.

After his third-place finish in the Run for the Roses, Forever Young took five months off, resting after his rigorous spring. He returned in the Japan Dirt Classic, facing 14 foes. He bobbled at the start but recovered quickly and gained the lead, which he held for most of the contest, and he prevailed by 1 1/4 lengths. Proving that he was ready for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, he returned to America.

Can Forever Young overcome the inside draw in today's Breeders' Cup Classic? 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/WrJckzouAZ

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 2, 2024

The Classic shaped up to be a rematch for Kentucky Derby favorite Fierceness, Sierra Leone, and Forever Young, who drew the rail. Derma Sotogake, a Japanese horse who finished sixth in the 2023 Kentucky Derby and second in the previous edition of the Classic, set a hot pace and led most of the way. Forever Young stalked close behind. As Sierra Leone and Fierceness closed at the end, Forever Young got up for third.

The bay colt capped a thrilling year with another monumental accomplishment: he earned his first Grade 1 win on Dec. 29. Facing nine of Japan’s best dirt runners in the Tokyo Daishoten, he won by 1 3/4 lengths and remained undefeated in his seven starts in Japan. This victory pushed his total purse earnings to over $4 million.

His connections believe he will be stronger in 2025 and are hopeful he will become one of the top racehorses in the world. Yahagi said he is aiming for the Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup, and he indicated a return to the Breeders’ Cup is possible.

Forever Young is owned by internet entrepreneur Susumu Fujita. Fujita is the founder of CyberAgent, which is the parent company of Cygames, a 2024 Breeders’ Cup partner.