Forever Young’s jockey Ryusei Sakai believes the dirt champion is in better shape ahead of the Dubai World Cup than when he won the Saudi Cup last time out.
The winner of almost £23million in prize-money, his only defeats on the world stage have come in the 2024 Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic and in last year’s World Cup.
Since then he has added the 2025 Classic and a second Saudi Cup, to cement his position as the best dirt performer in the world.
Sakai was in the saddle when Forever Young worked on Wednesday and said: “There were no problems. He’s in better shape than he was in Saudi Arabia, I think he’s in fantastic condition.”
His trainer Yoshito Yahagi is now a regular sight at major race meetings and is also very happy with the condition of his champion.
“We decided to give him lighter work than originally planned due to the fast track conditions here at Meydan,” he said.
“We successfully completed exactly what we intended to do this morning, Ryusei Sakai executed as planned, he looked to have a spring in his step and all is well.”
