Forever Young targets Classic repeat via Jockey Club Gold Cup
Forever Young will return to the United States for the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at the new Belmont Park on Sept. 18, a prep for a title defense in the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 31 at Keeneland, the New York Racing Association and Breeders' Cup announced.
The race anchors opening day at the rebuilt Belmont Park, and FOX will carry it on its broadcast network to introduce the new facility to a national audience.
"We are thrilled to welcome Forever Young to the Jockey Club Gold Cup at the new Belmont Park," said Andrew Offerman, NYRA's senior vice president of racing and operations.
Established in 1919 and won by the likes of Man o' War, Forego and Cigar, the Jockey Club Gold Cup will return to Belmont Park after running at Saratoga from 2021 through 2025. The 1 1/4-mile test for 3-year-olds and up provides an automatic berth into the Classic through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.
"We eagerly anticipate welcoming Forever Young to Keeneland this fall to defend his title," said Dora Delgado, Breeders' Cup executive vice president and chief racing officer.
The choice keeps the colt on dirt after his connections turned down European turf invitations built around the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Forever Young will make his first start since a runner-up effort to Magnitude in the Dubai World Cup (G1) on March 28. Trained by Yoshito Yahagi for owner Susumu Fujita, the 5-year-old son of Real Steel earned the 2025 Eclipse Award as champion older dirt horse after a half-length win over Sierra Leone in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.
A back-to-back winner of the Saudi Cup (G1) in 2025 and 2026, Forever Young has won 11 of 15 starts with four more in-the-money finishes and is a perfect 6-for-6 in Japan. He has earned more than $31.7 million and took the 2025 Japanese horse of the year title along with the Japan Racing Association's best older male and best dirt honors.
A win in the Jockey Club Gold Cup would set up a bid to become the second horse to win the Classic twice, after Tiznow in 2000 and 2001.