Forever Young horse, trainer, jockey for 2026 Breeders' Cup Classic

Forever Young is among the horses expected to run in the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 31 at Keeneland.The post-position draw for the Breeders’ Cup is set for Monday, Oct. 26. Post time for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic is set for 6:16 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.Forever Young will enter the Breeders’ Cup Classic off a victory in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sept. 18 at Belmont.Forever YoungAge: 5.Color: Bay.Bred in: Japan.Sire: Real Steel.Dam: Forever Darling, by Congrats.Price tag: $720,603 at 2022 Japan Racing Horse Association Select Yearling and Foal Sale.Owner: Susumu Fujita.Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi.Jockey: Ryusei Sakai.Record: 12-1-3 in 16 starts.Career earnings: $32,313,590.Record at Keeneland: First start.Previous Breeders’ Cup races: Won 2025 Classic at Del Mar; third in 2024 Classic at Del Mar.Last race: Won Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sept. 18 at Belmont.Running style: Stalker.Notes: Forever Young is looking to become just the second horse to win the Classic twice. Tiznow accomplished the feat in 2000 and 2001. … With more than $32 million in earnings, Forever Young is the second-richest thoroughbred ever. Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior earned approximately $35.5 million from 2021-26, according to Equibase.com figures. … Forever Young made his United States racing debut in the 2024 Kentucky Derby, finishing third.What they’re saying: “I'm proud of him,” assistant trainer Yuki Araki said after the Jockey Club Gold cup victory. “One hundred percent, no doubt, he is a champion horse. I was really, really pleased with the result and also his performance. I'm very happy. … I realize he is not just a horse for Japan but a horse for everyone.”Jason Frakes: (502) 582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com. Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Forever Young horse, trainer, jockey for 2026 Breeders' Cup Classic