Yoshito Yahagi believes that overwhelming Dubai World Cup favourite Forever Young has taken a step forward from his epic defeat of Romantic Warrior in Riyadh last month, while jockey Ryusei Sakai is determined to make up for some heartbreaking near-misses in 2024.
Forever Young finished a narrow third in both the G1 Kentucky Derby (2000m) and the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (2000m) during his three-year-old season, while stablemate Shin Emperor – one of the leading contenders for Saturday’s $6 million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) – was also third in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m), as well as going down by a neck to Do Deuce when dead-heating for second in the G1 Japan Cup (2400m).
Looking ahead to the two colts’ major assignments at Meydan on Saturday, Sakai told a packed media conference: “It’s a mixed feeling as obviously there is pressure. But personally I really appreciate the opportunity given to me to ride top-class horses, not only in Japan but also on the world stage.
“Last year we were unable to win a Group 1 overseas with these two horses but this year we’re coming back to win as many races as possible with them, and perhaps every race.”
Such ambition is shared by his mentor Yahagi who, despite playing up to frequent media mentions of Sakai’s youth by referring to him as “my apprentice”, said that both colts were fine-tuned to produce standout performances on Saturday.
Regarding Forever Young, Yahagi believes the stretch duel with Romantic Warrior has served to sharpen the blade ahead of the G1 Dubai World Cup (sponsored by Emirates Airline).
“Of course he had a tough race and he was a little fatigued for a few days,” said Yahagi. “My staff really did a great job in aiding his recovery and from then the plan was always to come here and compete in the Dubai World Cup.
“I think the extra 200 metres will be an advantage for him and also going four turns will benefit him.
“I’ve been asked a lot about how he has come out of the race and his overall condition and some people have been concerned. But I actually think that, having experienced that tough race, he has improved another level. I think it’s all positive, I don’t see any negatives.”
Yahagi caused a ripple of laughter around the conference room when adding: “My young ‘apprentice’ jockey has really improved.
“We share our values and everyone understands my thinking about what we all want to achieve. I truly believe that I have the best team in the world.”
Shin Emperor is yet to win at Group level but looked ready to take that step when landing the Neom Turf Cup on the Saudi Cup undercard last month.
“Shin Emperor really enjoys the environment here in Dubai,”said Yahagi. “Maybe he’s even a little bit too relaxed so that’s why we asked him for a little bit more yesterday [Tuesday] when we breezed him. We wanted him to be really ready for the race.
“I haven’t seen much improvement in him from last time out but he maintains a high level of form to be competitive in the Sheema Classic.”
Yahagi admitted that he and owner Susumu Fujita have discussed the possibility that Forever Young will stay in training at five and that, after a return to the Breeders’ Cup Classic later this season, he could have a crack at a major turf prize before his career comes to an end.
Yahagi also looks set to aim Shin Emperor at a serious summer target in Britain, with the G1 International Stakes at York (2000m) the likely choice as a lead-up to a second attempt at the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) with the French-bred son of Siyouni.
But for now the Dubai World Cup takes centre stage for Yahagi, Sakai and Forever Young, with the trainer underlining how Japanese racing fans have grown to love the race.
“The Dubai World Cup is a race that in Japan we always want to win,” said Yahagi. “In 2011, straight after a devastating earthquake in Japan, Victoire Pisa won it and Transcend finished second. That was meaningful for the people; they were encouraged by that and this race, which has a prestigious history, has become more and more popular.”
If Forever Young can do what many – if not most – expect on Saturday, then that affection for the Dubai World Cup will become even deeper and more enduring.
by Scott Burton, DWC Notes Team
