Forever Young (JPN)

Forever Young emerged as the leading international contender for the 2024 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve during by winning his first three races in his native Japan as a 2-year-old in 2023, including two stakes, and then shipping to Saudi Arabia and rallying to win the Boutique Group Saudi Derby on Feb. 24 by a head over U.S.-based Book’em Danno.

The Real Steel colt then contested the United Arab Emirates Derby March 30 at Meydan Racecourse. He drew the far outside post but was given a patient ride by jockey Ryusei Sakai and stalked the pace in fifth through the backstretch before moving up in the far turn. After finding clear running room, Forever Young rallied strongly in the stretch to pass Auto Bahn and win going away by two lengths. He earned 100 qualifying points for the May 4 Kentucky Derby with the victory.

Forever Young came to Churchill Downs to make his first U.S. start in the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on May 4. He was sent off as the third choice on the tote board in the field of 20. After racing near the rear of the field in the early stages of the race, Forever Young launched a rally on the final turn and continued to close throughout the stretch alongside Sierra Leone while bothered by that rival repeatedly in the final furlong. At the wire, Forever Young lost a three-way win photo by a nose and settled for an unlucky third.