(31st Mar 26)

SATONO REVE secures an emphatic back-to-back triumph in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen

Satono Reve proved his favoritism and grabbed his back-to-back win in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen, the champion sprint race in the spring campaign at Chukyo on 29th. The 7-year-old horse by Lord Kanaloa became the second horse to defend the title in the race since Kinshasano Kiseki achieved the feat in 2010 & 2011.
After breaking well from the gate, he settled in mid-pack and conserved energy. As expected before the race, the opening three furlongs were run at an extremely fast pace of 32.5 seconds. However, still traveling strongly, he turned into the home straight and produced an impressive run down the middle of the track, crossing the finish line in 1:06.3—0.4 seconds faster than the race record set by Big Arthur in 2016.
Winning jockey Christophe Lemaire said, “Once again, Satono Reve proved to be a truly strong horse. In the straight, he took the bit on his own, changed leads, and then accelerated sharply. He broke well and was able to secure his preferred position. Given the fast pace, I was not concerned sitting in a middle position. The horse relaxed around the turn and was able to run in his own rhythm. He finished strongly after entering the stretch. He is a top-level sprinter who has already delivered results overseas and has considerable experience. Physically as well, he has the build of a true sprinter. I believe he can achieve results again at the GI level this year.”
Purchased at 2019 JRHA Select Sale Foal session for 54,000,000yen, Satono Reve is bred by Shirai Bokujyo and trained by Noriyuki Hori. He ran 3rd in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint in 2024 before taking his first G1 triumph in this race last year. He almost made history in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Ascot in last June, finishing 2nd, just a half-length behind Lazzat.

(16th Feb 26)

FOREVER YOUNG Achieves Historic Back-to-Back Victory

The USD$20M G1 Saudi Cup (1800 meters, dirt) was held at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Saudi Arabia, was won by the JRHA Select Sale graduate in 2021, Forever Young, ridden by Ryusei Sakai. Positioned on the inside just behind the leaders during the race, he advanced along the rail in the home stretch, took the lead, and held off the American star Nysos to become the first horse in the race’s history to win consecutive titles. The winning time was 1:51.02. Hiroyuki Hori’s trainee Luxor Cafe finished fifth, while Sunrise Zipangu, who was also sold at JRHA Select Sale in 2022 and is trained by the first JRA’s female trainer Kyoko Maekawa, came home sixth.
Forever Young, by Real Steel out of Forever Darling (by Congrats), secured a memorable victory in last year’s Saudi Cup in a much-anticipated duel with Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior. He later won the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic　at Del Mar and was subsequently named U.S. Champion Older Dirt Male and JRA’s Horse of the Year. This race marked his first start since the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Facing Nysos, the winner of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile n 2025, Forever Young delivered a commanding performance to claim victory and this victory provided strong momentum heading into the G1 Dubai World Cup.
In Race 7, G1 Neom Turf Cup, ridden by Oishin Murphy, the British-trained Royal Champion pulled clear in dominant fashion to claim victory. Japanese trio, Shin Emperor, who traveled from Japan in pursuit of back-to-back victories, stayed on strongly to finish fourth. Yamanin Bouclier, who set a bold early pace, finished fifth, while Alohi Alii, who raced from the rear, came home seventh. Purchased at 2022 JRHA Select Sale Foal session, the 4-year-old trained by Hiroyasu Tanaka, Alohi Alii was unable to settled in the gate and did not jump well, he stayed near the rear and never threatened in the stretch.

Forever Young

Sire: Real Steel
Dam: Forever Darling
Sire of Dam: Congrats
C5
Consigned: Northern Farm

(23rd Jan 26)

Another Historic Milestone: FOREVER YOUNG Wins Eclipse Award

The 55th Eclipse Awards ceremony, which honors the top performers in North American horse racing each year, was held on January 22nd (morning of the 23rd Japan time) in Palm Beach, southeastern Florida. Forever Young, a five-year-old horse from the stable Yoshito Yahagi who won last year's G1 Breeders' Cup Classic, received the award for Champion Older Dirt Male. He became only the second Japanese-trained horse to earn an Eclipse Award, following Loves Only You—also from Yahagi’s stable—who won the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf in 2021 and was named Champion Turf Female. In addition, the Breeders’ Cup Classic victory by Forever Young was selected as the “Moment of the Year,” an award determined by fan voting.
At the awards ceremony, trainer Yahagi took the stage and began his acceptance speech with a touch of humor, saying in English, “Good evening, everyone. I’m known as ‘the man with the hat,’” referring to his trademark headwear. He then continued, “It is a great honor to receive such an award. I have the utmost respect for everyone in the United States.” Yahagi delivered his message of gratitude in English, speaking in his own words.
Forever Young is by Real Steel and out of Congrats mare Forever Darling. He was bred by Northern Farm and purchased at the 2022 JRHA Select Sale Yearling session by Susumu Fujita.