BREEDERS' CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

November 1, 2025

Ryusei Sakai

Susumu Fujita

Yoshito Yahagi

Del Mar Fairgrounds

Classic

Press Conference

Classic

THE MODERATOR: We're in the winners post-race press conference, the winning rider, Mr. Sakai. In the middle is the winning owner, Mr. Fujita. Closest to our translator is the winning trainer, Mr. Yahagi.

Mr. Sakai, coming out of the gate, you were very forwardly placed. Was that the intention going into the race or just the way the race came out?

RYUSEI SAKAI: Obviously the horse had a really great order for condition side, so automatically the horse took me there.

THE MODERATOR: Did he feel strong the entire way, even with the pace going as quickly as it was?

RYUSEI SAKAI: Last two years the experience really helpful for Forever Young, how to ride. Obviously he's a little bit not too good at that turn, a little bit of speed down. So this time we did a lot of practice for that. Then he really did handle well, yes, and he got turned fit to go.

THE MODERATOR: Mr. Fujita, you've won a lot of big races, very prominent in Japan, but where does a win like this rank among your racing accomplishments?

SUSUMU FUJITA: It is my dream. Also, Fierceness and Sierra Leone will be retired. So this is the last chance against these two guys together. It is also my dream to beat these two horses. So it's a dream come true.

THE MODERATOR: Mr. Yahagi, congratulations. Your third Breeders' Cup win, but I would imagine this is the most satisfying?

YOSHITO YAHAGI: I will never, ever be satisfied until I retire as a trainer.

THE MODERATOR: Forever Young had a nice spell before his comeback race in Japan before coming here. How much did he move forward off that comeback race for today's performance?

YOSHITO YAHAGI: Obviously a horse is not a machine. Even trainer made order to plan, but normally the horse cannot go through with this plan. Obviously, Forever Young made my plan to go through everything.

Last time here on prop race was 75 percent condition, and this time we create 100 percent condition. Everything Forever Young did, my order. That means that Forever Young is an amazing horse.

Q. I wanted to ask what's next for Forever Young? I understand the Saudi Cup has been considered to try to repeat there, and will he race all of next year?

YOSHITO YAHAGI: Obviously, yes, we plan to go to Saudi maybe next year, which he will be -- last year will be next year. I like to challenge all over the world big races too, and I'd like to win all of it.

Q. Could we see Forever Young next year at the Breeders' Cup?

YOSHITO YAHAGI: Keeneland has really chilly weather. So let me think about that.

Q. For the trainer, how much of a dream was this given the close race in the Derby and the third place finish last year?

YOSHITO YAHAGI: I can't really compare those two races, the Breeders' Cup Classic and the Kentucky Derby, which is really the biggest race in the world. So hard to say that.

Q. For the jockey, how did the race develop from your perspective?

RYUSEI SAKAI: Only I think about the win, so whatever the situation, I've got to think about winning. So no development, just try to win. That's it.

Q. Will Mr. Yahagi and Mr. Fujita consider Dubai again?

YOSHITO YAHAGI: Of course I have to talk with Mr. Fujita, but if he say yes, we'd love to challenge again Dubai World Cup for revenge.