Forever Young Prepares for Breeders' Cup Classic with Impressive Workout
Japan's distinguished horse, Forever Young, is rigorously preparing for the highly anticipated Breeders' Cup Classic. The reigning horse of the year recently demonstrated his peak condition with a swift half-mile workout at Belmont Park, reflecting the meticulous training regimen overseen by his team. His extended presence in the United States and varied training locations signify a strategic approach to secure another victory on the international stage.
Forever Young's Road to the Breeders' Cup Classic
On a crisp Sunday morning, October 11, 2026, at precisely 6:45 a.m. EDT, the renowned five-year-old racehorse, Forever Young, graced the main track at Belmont Park. With assistant trainer Yuki Araki in the saddle, the accomplished Real Steel progeny executed a sharp half-mile breeze in an impressive 51.8 seconds. This workout marked his first official session since his commanding triumph in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on September 18 at Belmont, a testament to his recuperation and readiness. Clockers from the New York Racing Association noted his fractions at 13.8 and 38.0 seconds, indicating a significant intensity increase from his open gallop the previous Sunday.
Araki revealed that the decision to intensify the breeze was a strategic one, influenced by the impending inclement weather forecast for later that Sunday and throughout the week. This proactive adjustment allowed Forever Young to exert more effort, ensuring he maintained his competitive edge. The horse's current campaign differs significantly from his previous year. Last year, he clinched the Nippon TV Hai in Funabashi, Japan, just a month before his Breeders' Cup Classic victory at Del Mar. This year, his preparation has been more immersive, having arrived in New York on September 7 to acclimatize and prepare for the Jockey Club Gold Cup, which he won comfortably after finishing second in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup on March 28 at Meydan.
Forever Young's training routine at Belmont Park has been comprehensive, utilizing various facilities including the Tapeta pony track, the dirt training track, and the inner Tapeta track. Araki expressed satisfaction with the horse's adaptation, noting, “Compared to last year, this is a totally new challenge. We figured out how to use him here and he is doing really well, so far. This morning the breeze out was pretty impressive. I checked the video. Good movement.” He further added, “When I asked him, he reacted really well and showed a turn of foot – a little bit, but I asked only a little bit. He’s following our orders well. He’s done well.”
Following his vigorous workout, Forever Young adhered to his established cooling-down protocol, which includes several leisurely laps along the scenic tree-lined horse path adjacent to the main track, culminating in a refreshing bath and a well-deserved graze. Araki outlined the upcoming schedule: another breeze at Belmont next Sunday, followed by a shipment to Kentucky on October 20 for final preparations at Keeneland. These preparations are slated to include a crucial workout with jockey Ryusei Sakai, possibly in tandem with Breeders’ Cup Sprint contender American Stage, mirroring their successful joint session last year at Del Mar.
Owned by Susumu Fujita, Forever Young boasts an impressive career record of 12 wins, 1 second, and 3 third-place finishes from 16 starts across 10 racetracks in four countries, accumulating over $32.3 million in earnings. His notable victories include two consecutive Saudi Cup titles in 2025 and 2026 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, the 2024 Tokyo Daishoten, and his undefeated record in all six starts in Japan.
The meticulous preparation of Forever Young offers a compelling insight into the dedication and strategic planning required for elite horse racing. His team's adaptable training methods, coupled with the horse's proven track record, underscore the pursuit of excellence in this competitive sport. Witnessing such a magnificent athlete prepare for a major event inspires awe and highlights the intricate partnership between horse and human in achieving greatness.