Forever Young wins Saudi Cup for second straight year

Japan-bred horse beats Nysos to claim $20 million race again

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Forever Young, the Japan-bred horse, won the $20 million Saudi Cup for the second consecutive year, defeating Nysos and jockey Flavien Prat. The 5-year-old, ridden by Ryusei Sakai, won the world's richest thoroughbred race in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after previously winning the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar in November 2025.

Why it matters

The Saudi Cup is the world's most lucrative horse race, and Forever Young's repeat victory cements his status as a global superstar. The race also featured several horses familiar to U.S. racing fans, including Nysos, the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner, and Reef Runner, who won the $2 million 1351 Turf Sprint on the undercard.

The details

Forever Young, the heavy favorite, won the about 1⅛-mile race with a ground-saving trip, holding off Nysos, the 9-2 second choice, in the stretch. Tumbarumba, a former U.S. horse now based in Dubai, finished third at 54-1. Nysos was trainer Bob Baffert's fourth second-place finisher in the Saudi Cup, a race the Hall of Fame trainer has yet to win. Baffert did win the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint on the undercard with Imagination and jockey Flavien Prat.

  • Forever Young won the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar in November 2025.
  • Forever Young's victory in the Saudi Cup on February 15, 2026 was his first start since the Breeders' Cup Classic.

The players

Forever Young

A 5-year-old Japan-bred horse who has now won the $20 million Saudi Cup two years in a row.

Ryusei Sakai

The jockey who rode Forever Young to victory in the Saudi Cup.

Nysos

The Bob Baffert-trained horse that finished second in the Saudi Cup, after winning the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar in November 2025.

Flavien Prat

The jockey who rode Nysos in the Saudi Cup.

Bob Baffert

The Hall of Fame trainer who has yet to win the Saudi Cup, though he's had four second-place finishers in the race.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.