Forever Young Tops Japanese Line-up for Dubai World Cup
Forever Young , winner of the Feb. 22 Saudi Cup (G1), is one of 18 horses expected to ship from Japan to Dubai to run in the Dubai World Cup (G1) and its undercard races. Forever Young traveled with eight other horses direct from Riyadh to Dubai Feb. 24. The total number of Japanese-trained runners at Meydan April 5 is expected to be 27, which is the same as 2023 and the co-highest Japanese delegation on Dubai World Cup Day.
Japanese runners in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) are led by Danon Decile, winner of the Japanese Derby (G1) in 2024, who made a successful seasonal debut Jan. 26, when the 4-year-old colt won the American Jockey Club Cup (G2) at Nakayama. Durezza, who was a narrowly beaten second in the Japan Cup (G1) at Tokyo last November, and Cervinia, winner of the Japanese Oaks (G1) in 2024, are also intended to run in the Sheema Classic. They are joined by Shin Emperor , who finished second in the Japan Cup (G1), through the dead heat with Durezza, and won the Neom Turf Cup (G2T) at Riyadh Feb. 22, in the 1 1/2 mile turf event which carries a total purse of $6 million.
Four Japanese representatives will run in the Dubai Turf (G1), including Liberty Island , winner of the Japanese Triple Tiara for 3-year-old fillies in 2023 and runner-up to Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Cup (G1) Dec. 7 last time out.
