Forever Young Named JRA's 2025 Horse of the Year

Jockey Ryusei Sakai and Forever Young have established an awesome partnership. The Real Steel offspring has won 10 of 13 career starts, with Sakai riding the talented thoroughbred in every race.

Forever Young thrived in 2025, winning the Grade 1 Saudi Cup on February 22, the Nippon TV Hai on October 1, and the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic on November 1. In his only other start of the year, Forever Young finished third in the G1 Dubai World Cup on April 5.

As a result of his overall excellence, Forever Young was named the Japan Racing Association's 2025 Horse of the Year. He received 226 of 248 votes cast by journalists for the annual honor, which was announced on Tuesday, January 6. Museum Mile was the distant runner-up with 18 votes.

Forever Young, who turns 5 on February 24, was also named the JRA's Best Older Colt or Horse for 2025 and the Best Dirt Horse.

Trained by Yoshito Yahagi, Forever Young made his debut in a 1,800-meter race in October 2023 at Kyoto Racecourse.

"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 in a statement.

The jockey added, "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. [And] I will continue to strive to become a jockey worthy of Forever Young."

Immense Satisfaction for the Owner

Upon learning that Forever Young was picked as the JRA's top horse for 2025, Fujita said it was thrilling news.

"As an owner, I never dreamed the day would come when I would receive the Horse of the Year award," Fujita commented, according to a news release. "Thank you for choosing Forever Young. This is thanks to the tremendous efforts of so many people, including everyone at the Yahagi stable, jockey Rusei Sakai, and everyone at Northern Farm [in Hokkaido Prefecture]."

He then said, "I did nothing myself, but I intend to be an owner worthy of Forever Young from now on."

What Comes Next?

In 2026, the Year of the Horse, what plans are in place for Forever Young, a grandson of Deep Impact?

The reigning Saudi Cup champion is expected to compete in the prestigious 1,800-meter race on February 14 in Riyadh.

Additional 2025 JRA Awards

Honors for the Best Two-Year-Old Colt went to Cavallerizzo, who triumphed in the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes on December 21. He received 190 of 248 votes. And Lovcen, who was victorious in both of his races, including the Hopeful Stakes on December 27, got 56 votes.

Star Anise was chosen as the Best Two-Year-Old Filly, securing 247 of 248 votes. Her top performance of this past year was a winning effort in a record-matching time (1 minute, 32.6 seconds) in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies on December 14.

Museum Mile was selected as the Best Three-Year-Old Colt, garnering 213 votes. He completed his successful year by winning the 70th Arima Kinen on December 28. A grandson of King Kamehameha, he also won the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) in April.

Voters selected Embroidery as the recipient of the Best Three-Year-Old Filly accolade. It was nearly unanimous ― 246 votes for Embroidery (winner of the Oka Sho-Shuka Sho double) and two for Kamunyak.

Other thoroughbred honorees included Regaleira (Best Older Filly or Mare), Satono Reve (Best Sprinter), Jantar Mantar (Best Miler) and Irish-bred Japan Cup winner Calandagan (Special Award).

Ecoro Duel received 100% of the votes in the Best Steeplechase Horse category.

*Masquerade Ball, ridden by Christophe Lemaire, triumphs in the 2025 Tenno Sho (Autumn) on November 2 at Tokyo Racecourse. (©KYODO)*

Top Jockeys in 2025

As expected, French jockey Christophe Lemaire put his stamp on the 2025 racing season. The 46-year-old won 140 of 521 starts, finishing atop the standings and giving him his eighth JRA season title in that category.

Lemaire also had the highest winning percentage among jockeys (26.9%) and the biggest race earnings. Bolstered by victories in the Victoria Mile, the Kikuka Sho, the Shuka Sho, and the Tenno Sho (Autumn), he also secured the jockey's Grand Prize.

Keita Tosaki was named the Most Valuable Jockey, recognizing his overall success last season. It included 132 victories and 127 runner-up finishes in 805 starts.

Kayata Komaki repeated as Best Steeplechase Jockey.

*Jockey Norihiro Yokoyama in a January 2023 file photo. (©KYODO)*

Late in his decades-long career, Norihiro Yokoyama gained additional recognition by becoming the JRA's oldest jockey to win a graded stakes race. He did so at the age of 57 years, 5 months and 26 days at the G2 Sapporo Kinen on August 17, 2025. Yokoyama was presented the government's Medal of Honor with Yellow Ribbon this past autumn at an awards ceremony, honoring his overall contributions to the development of the nation's horse racing.

Both factors were cited in Yokoyama's selection for the 2025 JRA Special Award for Jockeys. He's the 10th jockey to be chosen for it, following Yutaka Take in 2024.

"I am delighted that my long-standing efforts have been recognized," said Yokoyama, "[and] I intend to continue striving forward."

*Trainer Haruki Sugiyama in a November 2025 file photo. (©SANKEI)*

Top Trainers in 2025

Haruki Sugiyama captured the Best Trainer (Races Won) accolade. In 2025, he amassed 61 wins in 407 starts. He was also picked as Best Trainer (Training Technique).

Tetsuya Kimura finished 2025 with 44 wins in 191 starts (victorious 23% of the time). That earned him the year's prize for Best Trainer (Winning Average).

Forever Young's boss, Yahagi, completed the year with ¥3.6 billion JPY ($23.1 million USD) in prize money, giving him the Best Trainer (Money Earned) honor.