The Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced that the 2025 Horse of the Year title has been awarded to Forever Young, who received 226 out of 248 votes following a remarkable season in which he dominated two prestigious G1 events—the Saudi Cup and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Last year’s winner of the JRA’s Special Award, Forever Young was also selected the Best Older Colt or Horse (208 votes) and Best Dirt Horse (230 votes), marking the first time a JRA Best Dirt Horse recipient has also been crowned Horse of the Year. The annual JRA Awards, which recognize horses, trainers, jockeys and other individuals and organizations for their outstanding performances or achievements during the thoroughbred racing season, will be presented to the winners at a ceremony in Tokyo on January 26.
Best Miler Jantar Mantar and Best Steeplechase Horse Ecoro Duel were both unanimous picks (248 votes), and Best Two-Year-Old Filly Star Anise and Best Three-Year-Old Filly Embroidery were respectively just one and two votes short of unanimous selection. Best Three-Year-Old Colt Museum Mile, Best Sprinter Satono Reve, Best Two-Year-Old Colt Cavallerizzo and Best Older Filly or Mare Regaleira respectively received 86%, 80%, 77% and 71% of the available votes. A Special Award will be presented to French-based Calandagan for his thrilling, record-setting Japan Cup victory.
Among trainers based on accomplishments in JRA and designated NAR and overseas races, Haruki Sugiyama won the Races Won title, his second following 2023, as well as his first Training Technique title based on wins, earnings, starts per stable and overall winning average. Tetsuya Kimura claimed the Winning Average title, his third in eight years, and Yoshito Yahagi retook the Money Earned award, his sixth in seven years.
Among jockeys riding in JRA races, Christophe Lemaire swept the flat-racing titles for Races Won, Winning Average and Money Earned, a distinction that also earned him his third Grand Prize following 2018 and 2024. Keita Tosaki won his sixth Most Valuable Jockey title based on combined points for wins, earnings, winning average and rides in JRA and designated NAR or overseas races. Kayata Komaki earned his second consecutive Best Steeplechase Jockey title. Additionally, a Special Award will be presented to Norihiro Yokoyama in recognition of receiving a Medal of Honor with Yellow Ribbon from the Japanese government. The Best Jockey (Newcomer) title went unclaimed as no jockey who debuted in 2025 scored at least 30 wins.
The Equine Culture Award will be presented to Kiyoaki Kawamura for his book “Somagan ga Mita Yume: Okada Shigeyuki ga Sunday Silence ni Hamukatta Hibi.”
Unedited Press Release by The Japan Racing Association
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