Forever Young beats defending champion Sierra Leone to win $7M Breeders’ Cup Classic
November 1, 2025
Forever Young beat defending champion Sierra Leone by a half-length to win the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar, giving Japan a victory in North America’s richest race. Ridden by Ryusei Sakai, Forever Young ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.19 and paid $9 to win at 7-2 odds Saturday. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi earned his third career Cup victory, while Sakai claimed his first. In other races, Ireland-bred Ethical Diamond won the $5 million Turf, and Splendora took the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint. Shisospicy and Bentornato also claimed victories.