Forever Young horse, trainer, jockey for 2026 Breeders' Cup Classic
Meet Breeders' Cup Classic contender Forever Young. Horse's trainer, jockey, what they're saying and more ahead of $7 million Classic at Keeneland:
Forever Young, a five-year-old bay horse bred in Japan, is set to compete in the 2026 Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on October 31. The post-position draw for the prestigious event is scheduled for Monday, October 26, with the race commencing at 6:16 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. Forever Young will be ridden by jockey Ryusei Sakai and trained by Yoshito Yahagi.
The horse, owned by Susumu Fujita, has an impressive record of 12-1-3 in 16 starts, with career earnings totaling $32,313,590. Forever Young has a history of success at Keeneland, making its first start there in its maiden race. He also secured victory in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar and finished third in the 2024 Classic at the same venue.
With a goal to become the second horse to win the Breeders' Cup twice, following Tiznow's feat in 2000-2001, Forever Young is poised to make history. The horse boasts a running style described as a "stalker," demonstrating his strategic approach to racing. Since making its U.S. racing debut in the 2024 Kentucky Derby, Forever Young has struggled, finishing third. However, its victory in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on September 18 at Belmont demonstrates the horse's potential to compete at the highest level.
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