Forever Young’s 2025 season left little room for debate. After a year defined by elite international performances, the Deep Impact grandson has been named the Japan Racing Association’s Horse of the Year, securing an overwhelming 226 of 248 votes from racing journalists.

Trained by Yoshito Yahagi, Forever Young delivered on the sport’s biggest stages. He captured the Saudi Cup on February 22, added domestic Group 1 success in the Nippon TV Hai on October 1, and then sealed his year with a landmark victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 1. His only defeat of the campaign came in the Dubai World Cup on April 5, where he finished third.

The strength of that résumé earned Forever Young a clean sweep of major JRA honors. In addition to Horse of the Year, he was named Best Older Colt or Horse and Best Dirt Horse. Museum Mile finished a distant second in the Horse of the Year voting.

A defining feature of Forever Young’s rise has been his partnership with jockey Ryusei Sakai. Sakai has ridden the Real Steel colt in all 13 of his career starts, guiding him to 10 victories.

“I am deeply honored and proud as a jockey that Forever Young was selected as Horse of the Year and that I have been able to ride him throughout his career,” Sakai said. “I would like to express my gratitude to owner Susumu Fujita, trainer Yahagi, the stable staff, the farm personnel, and everyone involved. I believe his performances in 2025 were truly worthy of Horse of the Year honors. I will continue to strive to become a jockey worthy of Forever Young.”

Owner Susumu Fujita described the award as something he never expected to achieve.

“As an owner, I never dreamed the day would come when I would receive the Horse of the Year award,” Fujita said. “Thank you for choosing Forever Young. This is thanks to the tremendous efforts of so many people, including everyone at the Yahagi stable, jockey Ryusei Sakai, and everyone at Northern Farm. I did nothing myself, but I intend to be an owner worthy of Forever Young from now on.”

Forever Young, who turns five in February, continues to train at the JRA Ritto Training Center. The reigning Saudi Cup champion is expected to begin his 2026 campaign with a return to Riyadh for the 1,800-meter Saudi Cup on February 14.

Elsewhere in the 2025 JRA Awards, Cavallerizzo was named Best Two-Year-Old Colt, while Star Anise claimed Best Two-Year-Old Filly honors. Museum Mile was recognized as Best Three-Year-Old Colt following victories in the Satsuki Sho and the Arima Kinen, and Embroidery dominated the Best Three-Year-Old Filly category after completing the Oka Sho–Shuka Sho double.

Among older horses, Regaleira, Satono Reve, Jantar Mantar and Calandagan were rewarded for their divisional achievements, while Ecoro Duel swept the Best Steeplechase Horse vote.

Christophe Lemaire once again led the jockey standings with 140 wins to secure his eighth JRA title. Keita Tosaki was named Most Valuable Jockey, while Norihiro Yokoyama received a Special Award after becoming the oldest jockey to win a graded stakes race in Japan.

In the training ranks, Haruki Sugiyama, Tetsuya Kimura and Yoshito Yahagi were all honored, with Yahagi also topping the prize-money table.

The 2026 JRA season opens at Group 1 level with the February Stakes on February 22. Forever Young’s 2025 campaign now stands as the benchmark for excellence in Japanese racing.

Image edited, Breeders' Cup/Eclipse Sportswire