Forever Young, the reigning champion of the Group 1 Saudi Cup, will start from gate 6 in his bid to defend the $20 million title at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on February 14, 2026. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi expressed satisfaction with the draw, noting it requires no tactical changes. Other contenders, including entries from Bob Baffert, have also secured their starting positions.
The barrier draw for the 2026 Saudi Cup took place ahead of the race scheduled for Saturday at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. Defending champion Forever Young, trained by Yoshito Yahagi, emerged from gate 6, the penultimate position assigned. Yahagi commented, “I think six is a good number. We don’t have to change anything with tactics. Honestly, I feel a lot of pressure on my shoulders bringing a defending champion, but Forever Young doesn’t feel any pressure at all.”
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert entered two horses: Nysos from gate 12 with jockey Flavien Prat, and Nevada Beach from gate 7 with Irad Ortiz Jr. Baffert, present in Riyadh, said of Nysos, “I’d rather be on the outside than the inside. As long as the horse shows up, that is more important. I think he is a really good horse and has always shown brilliance. He’s a trier and knows where the wire is. From the outside he will have a clear run.” He added about Nevada Beach, “Gate 7 is good for Nevada Beach too. We just didn’t want to be in the one-hole.”
Last year's fifth-place finisher Rattle N Roll, trained by Kenny McPeek, drew stall 11 with Joel Rosario. Sunrise Zipangu, trained by Kyoko Maekawa—the Japan Racing Association’s first female trainer—will break from stall 1 with Oisin Murphy. Luxor Cafe drew barrier 10 under Noriyuki Hori.
Local contender Mhally secured stall 13, pleasing connections. Sheikh Faisal Al Sabah stated, “We are very happy with that draw. We wanted something on the outside. Hopefully he proves himself on Saturday.” Banishing, trained by David Jacobson, drew stall 3. Jacobson’s son Zachary described the horse as having “a heart of gold.” Jacobson noted after a Wednesday workout, “He’s as good as he's ever been, maybe even a little bit better. He really seems to like it out there.” Bishops Bay drew post 9 under Brad Cox.
Other notable draws include Star Of Wonder from stall 5, Haqeet from box 2, Ameerat Alzamaan from 4 with Ryan Moore, Thundersquall from 14, and Tumbarumba from 8.
In a midweek workout, Forever Young impressed under jockey Ryusei Sakai, who said, “I think he should be able to go into the Saudi Cup in the same condition as last year.” Last year, Forever Young won by a head over Romantic Warrior from an outside post.
