Forever Young beats defending champ in Del Mar, wins marquee race at Breeders’ Cup

Dante Ulanday - News Moderator Dante Ulanday - News Moderator
Nov 1, 2025 - 21:01
Forever Young beats defending champ in Del Mar, wins marquee race at Breeders’ Cup
Several horses head down the stretch on the race track at the Breeders' Cup.
Several horses head down the stretch on the race track at the Breeders' Cup.
Ryusei Sakai (5) rides Forever Young to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic race on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Del Mar. (Photo by Gregory Bull/AP)

Forever Young beat defending champion Sierra Leone by a half-length to win the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday at Del Mar.

The win gave Japan a victory in North America’s richest race. Ridden by Ryusei Sakai, Forever Young ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.19 and paid $9 to win at 7-2 odds. The colt was third in last year’s Classic behind Sierra Leone and Fierceness.

The race lost a bit of luster, though, with the absence of Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Sovereignty. The colt was scratched after spiking a fever earlier in the week.

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi earned his third career Cup victory, while Sakai claimed his first.

“Forever Young is an amazing horse,” Yahagi said through a translator.

Fierceness was third and Preakness winner Journalism was fourth. Mindframe finished fifth, followed by Baeza, Nevada Beach, Antiquarian and Contrary Thinking.

Forever Young increased his career earnings to $19,358,590, with 10 wins in 13 starts.

Ireland-bred Ethical Diamond led the $5 million Turf by 1 1/4 lengths and paid $57.40 to win. In Saturday’s other races:

  • Bentornato scored a two-length victory in the $2 million Sprint after finishing second last year. Irad Ortiz Jr. earned his second Cup win of the day and 23rd in his career.
  • Scylla won the $2 million Distaff by five lengths for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
  • Britain-bred Notable Speech won the $2 million Mile by 1 1/2 lengths. He ran the distance on the grass in 1:33.66. It was the fourth time trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick have teamed to win the race.
  • Gezora won the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf and paid $20.20 to win at 9-1 odds.
  • Splendora roared past her favored stablemate Hope Road at the top of the stretch for a four-length victory in the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint. Trainer Bob Baffert earned his 20th career Cup victory.
  • Nysos held off stablemate Citizen Bull by a head to win the $1 million Dirt Mile, giving Baffert a 1-2 finish. The Hall of Fame trainer’s 21st career Cup win put him in a tie for the all-time lead with Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien.
  • Shisospicy won the $1 million Turf Sprint by two lengths under Ortiz.
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