Forever Young on the Main Track at Belmont Park 091226 credit Dom Napolitano
Reigning Japanese Horse of the Year completes a half-mile workout ahead of his October 31 showdown at Keeneland, with one more Belmont breeze scheduled before heading to Kentucky.
BELMONT PARK, NY (October 11, 2026) — Japan’s international racing superstar Forever Young continued his preparations for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Sunday morning, completing a half-mile workout in 51 4/5 seconds over the Belmont Park main track.
Owned by Susumu Fujita and trained by Yoshito Yahagi, the 5-year-old son of Real Steel is preparing to defend his Breeders’ Cup Classic crown on October 31 at Keeneland, where he will attempt to add another major international victory to his remarkable career.
The reigning Japanese Horse of the Year and Champion Older Dirt Horse returned to the work tab for the first time since his impressive victory in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on September 18.
A Strong Morning Exercise at Belmont Park
With assistant trainer Yuki Araki aboard, Forever Young stepped onto the Belmont Park main track at approximately 6:45 a.m. Sunday.
NYRA clockers recorded fractions of 13 4/5 seconds and 38 seconds before the Japanese champion completed his four-furlong exercise in 51 4/5 seconds.
The workout represented an increase in intensity from last Sunday’s open gallop, with Araki adjusting the training schedule because of unfavorable weather conditions expected later Sunday and throughout the coming week.
“I decided to breeze a little bit stronger than we planned before. It’s good,” Araki explained.
The assistant trainer was particularly encouraged by Forever Young’s movement and response when asked to accelerate.
“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,” Araki said.
A Different Road to the Breeders’ Cup Classic
Forever Young’s preparation for the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic has followed a different approach compared with his championship campaign last year.
In 2025, the Japanese star captured the Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi Racecourse exactly one month before winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar.
This season, Yahagi and his team have elected to give Forever Young an extended period of preparation in the United States.
The horse arrived in New York on September 7 ahead of the Jockey Club Gold Cup, where he returned to competition with a comfortable victory following his runner-up finish in the Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan Racecourse on March 28.
Araki has taken advantage of Belmont Park’s extensive training facilities, incorporating the main track, dirt training track, Tapeta pony track and inner Tapeta track into Forever Young’s daily routine.
“Compared to last year, this is a totally new challenge,” Araki said. “We figured out how to use [him] here and he is doing really well, so far.”
Following Sunday’s workout, Forever Young completed his customary cooling-out routine, walking several laps along the tree-lined horse path near the main track before receiving a bath and enjoying some grass.
An International Champion With an Extraordinary Record
Forever Young has established himself as one of the world’s most accomplished dirt racehorses.
His career includes 16 starts at 10 racetracks across four countries, with major victories on three continents.
Among his most significant accomplishments are:
Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), 2025: A historic victory at Del Mar.
Saudi Cup (G1), 2025 and 2026: Back-to-back triumphs in the $20 million international championship at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
Tokyo Daishoten (G1), 2024: One of his major victories in Japan, where he remains undefeated in six starts.
Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), 2026: A successful return to American racing at Belmont Park.
His ability to perform at the highest level across different racing jurisdictions has made him a global ambassador for Japanese thoroughbred racing.
Now, Forever Young is seeking another place in Breeders’ Cup history with a second consecutive Classic victory.
Next Stop: Keeneland and a Final Workout With Ryusei Sakai
Forever Young is scheduled to complete one additional workout at Belmont Park next Sunday, October 18, before shipping to Kentucky on October 20.
Once at Keeneland, his connections plan to maintain a familiar training routine, including an open gallop during the weekend leading into the championship.
His final serious workout is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, with regular jockey Ryusei Sakai expected to be aboard.
The Japanese champion may work alongside stablemate American Stage, who is preparing for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).
The two horses followed a similar arrangement last year at Del Mar, breezing together on the Wednesday before the Breeders’ Cup.
“We will do the final breeze out on Wednesday, with jockey – and probably we will bring American Stage and do it together,” Araki said.
The Countdown to October 31
With less than three weeks remaining before the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland, Forever Young appears to be progressing according to his connections’ plans.
His successful return in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, combined with Sunday’s encouraging workout, provides positive signs as he approaches another demanding international assignment.
For trainer Yoshito Yahagi, jockey Ryusei Sakai and owner Susumu Fujita, the objective is clear: bring Forever Young to Keeneland in peak condition and defend one of the most prestigious titles in thoroughbred racing.
All eyes will now turn to his final preparations in Kentucky as Forever Young looks to extend his remarkable international legacy in the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
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