Forever Young (horse)

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Forever Young[1]
Forever Young after his maiden race (October 14, 2023)
SireReal Steel[1]
GrandsireDeep Impact[1]
DamForever Darling[1]
DamsireCongrats[1]
SexColt[1]
FoaledFebruary 24, 2021[2]
CountryJapan[1]
ColourBay[1]
BreederNorthern Farm[1]
OwnerSusumu Fujita[1]
TrainerYoshito Yahagi[1]
Record5: 5–0–0
Earnings293,476,600 JPY[3][note 1]
JPN: 84,200,000 JPY[1]
（JRA）: 7,200,000 JPY
（NAR）: 77,000,000 JPY
KSA: 900,000 USD
UAE: 580,000 USD
Major wins
JBC Nisai Yushun (2023)
Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun (2023)
Saudi Derby (2024)
UAE Derby (2024)
Last updated on March 30, 2024

Forever Young (Japanese: フォーエバーヤング, foaled February 24, 2021) is a Japanese thoroughbred racehorse. He won his maiden race, the JBC Nisai Yushun and the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun in 2023, as well as the Saudi Derby and the UAE Derby in 2024, and remains undefeated.

Background[edit]

Forever Young was bred at Northern Farm stud in Hokkaido, Japan, and was foaled on February 24, 2021. In 2022, he was consigned as a foal to the JRHA Select Sale and was bought for ¥98,000,000 (US$892,938.5) gross by Susumu Fujita. Afterwards, he was trained by Yoshito Yahagi.[5]

His sire, Real Steel, was a champion horse which won the Dubai Turf in 2016.[6] His dam, Forever Darling, who was an American racehorse, won the Grade II Santa Ynez Stakes in 2016.[7]

He is named after a song of the same name by AK-69 featuring UVERworld.[8][9] His owner, Susumu Fujita [ja], is the founder and president of CyberAgent, whose subsidiaries include Abema and Cygames. The song is the theme song of Abema's drama series Kaisha wa Gakkou janen da yo [ja], which is based on Susumu Fujita's book Shibuya dewa Taraki Shachō no Kokuhaku.[10] The birthday of Forever Young, February 24, 2021, is the same as the release date of Cygames' horse racing mobile game Uma Musume Pretty Derby.[11] In 2021, after the release of Uma Musume Pretty Derby, Fujita became a horse owner, and has been the biggest spender at JRHA Select Sale from 2021 to 2023, spending over ¥2.2 billion every year.[12][13][note 2]

Racing career[edit]

2023: Two-year-old season[edit]

Forever Young began his racing career in a contest for previously unraced juveniles over 1,800 metres on good ground at Kyoto Racecourse on October 14, 2023. Ridden by Ryusei Sakai [ja], he started the 16/5 second choice and won by four lengths.[16][17]

Sakai was again in the saddle when the colt was stepped up in domestic Group 3 class to contest the JBC Nisai Yushun [ja] over the same distance at Monbetsu Racecourse [ja] in the following month on November 3, 2023. He started the 6/5 favourite and prevailed by one-and-a-half lengths.[17][18]

On December 13 at Kawasaki Racecourse, Forever Young stepped up to Domestic Group 1 class to contest Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun over 1,600 metres. He started the 11/10 favourite in the betting and won by seven lengths from Aigle Noir [ja].[17][19] This is the first time Fujita had a horse that won a Group 1 race.[19] Forever Young is from the second crop of foals sired by Real Steel, and became the first Group 1 race winner among Real Steel's progeny.[20]

For his performance in 2023, he received a rating of 113 from JPN Thoroughbred Ranking [ja], which is the highest rating of two-year-old dirt racing horse in the history of the ranking system.[12][21] Among the five two-year-olds with a rating of 113 or above, Shin Emperor [ja], whose rating was 113,[21] is also owned by Fujita.[22][note 3]

2024: Three-year-old season[edit]

On his first run as a three-year-old, Forever Young went to Saudi Arabia to run in the Group III Saudi Derby over 1,600 metres on February 24, 2024. He started the 8/13 odds-on favourite with British Bookmakers and won by only a nose. In the race, he had a rough start and had to make up for the four-to-five-length difference from the leading horse, Book'em Danno, in the middle of the final straight. He finished the race in 1:36.17, breaking the track record for the distance by about two seconds. This is the first time a horse of Fujita won an overseas graded race. After the race, his trainer, Yahagi, said the next race would be the UAE Derby in order to obtain Kentucky Derby points for taking part in the Kentucky Derby. By February, he ranked second on Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby,[23][24][25] trailing behind Ramjet, the winner of the Hyacinth Stakes.[26]

On March 30, Forever Young drew the outside, 11 gate for the 1,900-meter Group II UAE Derby held at Meydan Racecourse dirt in Dubai. He broke well and jockey Ryusei Sakai let him take an outside position behind the leaders. As the field straightened into the stretch, South American Auto Bahn went to the front but could not withstand the relentless charge of the Forever Young winning by two lengths in a time of 1:57.89. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi, comment after the race, "It will be very difficult to go from Dubai to Kentucky, But I believe my team will do everything to be in good order to go to Kentucky." Jockey Ryusei Sakai also added that Forever Young "very much improved" after the Saudi Derby, adding, "That's why I have confidence in him. I really trust this horse." Forever Young collected 100 qualification points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby and will enter the event undefeated.[27]

In the early morning hours of April 13, Forever Young arrived at Churchill Downs and the following morning under rider Yusaku Oka, the colt jogged in the one-mile chute for about 20 minutes before taking a 1+1⁄8-mile gallop.[28]

Statistics[edit]

Date Distance Race Grade /
Group 		Track Odds Field Finish Winning
Time 		Winning
(Losing)
Margin 		Jockey Ref
2023 – Two-year-old season
Oct 14, 2023 1800 meters[a] 2YO Newcomer Kyoto 3.20 14 1 1:54.8 4 lengths Ryusei Sakai [29]
Nov 3, 2023 1800 meters[b] JBC Nisai Yushun JPN-3[c] Monbetsu 1.20* 12 1 1:54.3 1+1⁄2 lengths Ryusei Sakai [30]
Dec 13, 2023 1600 metres[d] Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun JPN-1[e] Kawasaki 1.10* 12 1 1:43.5 7 lengths Ryusei Sakai [31]
2024 – Three-year-old season
Feb 24, 2024 1600 metres[f] Saudi Derby III King Abdulaziz (KSA) N/A[g] 12 1 1:36.17 head Ryusei Sakai [32]
Mar 30, 2024 1900 metres[h] UAE Derby II Meydan (UAE) N/A[i] 11 1 1:57.89 2 lengths Ryusei Sakai [33]

Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Forever Young was the post-time favorite.

  1. ^ The distance of the 2YO Newcomer is approximately 1+1⁄8 miles
  2. ^ The distance of the JBC Nisai Yushun is approximately 1+1⁄8 miles
  3. ^ The JBC Nisai Yushun is classified as a local, Japanese Group 3 event. Internationally as a Listed event.
  4. ^ The distance of the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun is approximately one mile
  5. ^ The Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun is classified as a local, Japanese Group 1 event. Internationally as a Listed event.
  6. ^ The distance of the Saudi Derby is approximately one mile
  7. ^ Forever Young's final odds with British Bookmakers were 8/13 odds-on since gambling is prohibited in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  8. ^ The distance of the UAE Derby is approximately 1+3⁄16 miles
  9. ^ Forever Young's final odds with British Bookmakers were 8/11 odds-on since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates

Pedigree[edit]

Pedigree of Forever Young (JPN), bay colt, February 24, 2021[2]
Sire
Real Steel (JPN)
(2012) 		Deep Impact (JPN)
(2002) 		Sunday Silence
(1986) 		Halo (1969)
Wishing Well (1975)
Wind in Her Hair (IRE)
(1991) 		Alzao (1980)
Burghclere (GB) (1977)
Loves Only Me
(2006) 		Storm Cat
(1983) 		Storm Bird (1978)
Terlingua (1976)
Monevassia
(1994) 		Mr Prospector* (1970)
Miesque (1984)
Dam
Forever Darling
(2013) 		Congrats
(2000) 		A.P. Indy
(1989) 		Seattle Slew (1974)
Weekend Surprise (1980)
Praise
(1994) 		Mr Prospector* (1970)
Wild Applause (1981)
Darling My Darling
(1997) 		Deputy Minister (CAN)
(1979) 		Vice Regent (CAN) (1967)
Mint Copy (CAN) (1970)
Roamin Rachel
(1990) 		Mining (1984)
One Smart Lady (1984)(family 2b)[34]

* Forever Young is inbred 4S x 4D to the stallion Mr Prospector, meaning that he appears fourth generation on the sire side of his pedigree and fourth generation on the dam side of his pedigree.

External Sites[edit]

  • Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association - Forever Young race record[17]
  • Netkeiba - Forever Young race record [35]

Footnotes[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Earnings earned overseas are converted to JPY using the formula provided by JRA.[4]
  2. ^ Fujita mentioned "as Uma Musume [Pretty Derty] became popular, [he] would like to contribute to the horse racing community"[14] but also "as it is a video game made by a subsidiary and I do not deeply involve [in it]," it is just a coincidence that he became a horse owner in the same year.[15]
  3. ^ For 2023, Jantar Mantar [ja], the winner of the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, received a rating of 115 from JPN Thoroughbred Ranking, which was the highest among all two-year-olds. Four other two-years-olds received a rating of 113, including Ascoli Piceno, Regaleira [ja], Shin Emperor and Forever Young.[21]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Forever Young(JPN)". JBIS Search. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Pedigree of Forever Young". Equineline. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  3. ^ フォーエバーヤング. JRA (in Japanese). Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  4. ^ 外国の競馬の競走における本賞金の換算について（2024 年）(Foreign Horseracing Prize Money Conversion 2024) - Page 8 (PDF). JRA (in Japanese). Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  5. ^ セレクトセール出身馬【フォーエバーヤング(Forever Young)】が「JBC2歳優駿(2歳Jpn3)」を優勝. Umaichi.com (in Japanese). Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "Real Steel(JPN)". JBIS Search. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  7. ^ "Forever Darling(USA)". JBIS Search. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  8. ^ 競走馬情報 フォーエバーヤング Forever Young（JPN） (in Japanese). Japan Racing Association. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Fujita, Susumu [@susumu_fujita] (February 23, 2024). サウジダービー 日本時間明日24日23時、フォーエバーヤング出走予定。 馬名の由来、これを聴いて奮えて待つ。 (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved March 9, 2024 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ AbemaTV藤田晋社長の著書をベースにオリジナルドラマ 主演は三浦翔平. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. February 16, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  11. ^ 『ウマ娘』のサイバーエージェント・藤田社長がGI初制覇―勝利馬「フォーエバーヤング」に早くも“ウマ娘化”を期待する声. Inside (in Japanese). December 13, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Forever Young Faces International Foes in Saudi Derby". BloodHorse. February 18, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  13. ^ 消費税だけで2億3690万円 藤田晋オーナーは今年も23億6900万円の“爆買い”. Netkeiba (in Japanese). July 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  14. ^ 【セレクトール】藤田晋氏が１５・４億円爆買い「ウマ娘」社長「競馬界に還元できれば」. Daily Sports (in Japanese). July 13, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  15. ^ 早く活躍馬出して「ウマ娘」へ　競馬界参入の藤田晋オーナー特別インタビュー. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). September 1, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  16. ^ 【京都４Ｒ・２歳新馬】フォーエバーヤングが快勝　坂井瑠星騎手「色々勉強しながら、その中で勝てたのは良かった」. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). October 14, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d "Forever Young(JPN)" 全競走成績｜競走成績｜フォーエバーヤング. JBIS Search (English). Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  18. ^ 【ＪＢＣ２歳優駿】フォーエバーヤングがデビュー２連勝でＶ！　矢作師「かなりの大物」. Sankei Sports (in Japanese). November 3, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  19. ^ a b 【全日本２歳優駿】圧勝フォーエバーヤングの藤田晋オーナー、初Ｇ１制覇は”休肝日”で目撃「ダート３冠、サウジやケンタッキーもある」. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). December 13, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  20. ^ 「大躍進」のスワーヴリチャードに引けを取らない名種牡馬!?「海外制覇」フォーエバーヤングの活躍から見えるリアルスティール産駒の可能性. GJ (in Japanese). February 28, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c 3歳芝トップはリバティアイランドでレーティング121 2023年度JPNサラブレッドランキング発表. Netkeiba (in Japanese). January 24, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  22. ^ "Shin Emperor(FR)" シンエンペラー(FR). JBIS Search. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  23. ^ 【サウジダービー】無傷４連勝でＶのフォーエバーヤング　矢作師の視線は「ＵＡＥからケンタッキーへ」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). February 25, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  24. ^ "Forever Young Edges Book'em Danno in Saudi Derby". BloodHorse. February 24, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  25. ^ リアルスティール産駒フォーエバーヤングがサウジダービー-G3で海外重賞制覇！. Thoroughbred Breeders Club (in Japanese). February 26, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  26. ^ "Ramjet Grabs Lead in "Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby"". BloodHorse. February 18, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  27. ^ Kieckhefer, Bob (March 30, 2024). "UAE Derby Score Propels Forever Young Into KY Derby; The colt earned 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and is set to go". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Forever Young Takes First Churchill Gallop, Honor Marie Breezes". Thoroughbred Daily News. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  29. ^ "Chart for 2YO Newcomer at Kyoto Racetrack October 14, 2023 - race 4". umanity.com. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  30. ^ "JBC NISAI YUSHUN Listed". JBIS. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  31. ^ "2023 Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun (race 11)". netkeib. 13 December 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  32. ^ "2024 Boutique Group Saudi Derby (Group 3) (3yo) (Outer Track) (Dirt)". Racing Post. February 24, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  33. ^ "2024 UAE Derby (Group 2) (Dirt)". Racing Post. March 30, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  34. ^ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – SQUIRREL MARE (GB) – Family 2-b". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  35. ^ "Forever Young" フォーエバーヤング (Forever Young)の競走成績. Netkeiba (English). Retrieved March 12, 2024.
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