Forever Young Targets Unprecedented Saudi Cup Double in Riyadh's $20 Million Spectacle
On Saturday, February 13, 2026, the racing world turns its eyes to Riyadh for the highly anticipated Saudi Cup meeting, where history could be made. No horse has ever won the prestigious Saudi Cup twice, and no horse has secured three victories at this elite event. This year, all attention is on FOREVER YOUNG, the Japanese sensation who triumphed in last year's edition and now aims to break that record.
Forever Young, a Breeders' Cup Classic winner, enters as the strong favorite at odds of 4/6 for the $20 million showcase, scheduled for 5.40pm local time. While backing him outright may not yield high returns, the activation of the World Pool offers punters exciting opportunities to incorporate him into exotic bets, such as quinellas, for potentially lucrative payouts.
Key Contenders in the Saudi Cup Field
The field chasing Forever Young includes several formidable opponents. NYSOS, trained by the renowned Bob Baffert, emerges as the primary challenger and is the clear second favorite. A Grade One winner from the Breeders' Cup, Nysos has an impressive record of seven wins from eight career starts, with his only loss being a second-place finish on a sloppy surface over seven furlongs. Despite his credentials, concerns linger about his ability to handle the demanding nine-furlong, one-turn dirt track at King Abdulaziz Racetrack, especially under Riyadh's warm conditions where the surface can ride deep.
Another Baffert trainee, NEVADA BEACH, currently overlooked in the betting at around 11/1, could surprise. He narrowly lost to stablemate Nysos in a head-bob finish at Santa Anita in a race that turned into a sprint. His performance in the Breeders' Cup Classic was compromised by a poor trip around the bend, but Riyadh's galloping track might suit him better, allowing for a stronger showing.
BISHOPS BAY, purchased for $1.3 million by Saudi royals earlier in the year, has demonstrated a preference for one-turn miles and is expected to benefit from the step up to nine furlongs. His late surge to win the Cigar Mile suggests he could be a threat in the closing stages, potentially securing a placing by passing rivals in the final furlong.
For World Pool enthusiasts, combining Forever Young, Nevada Beach, and Bishops Bay in a quinella—predicting the first two finishers in any order—could be a strategic move to capitalize on this competitive race.
Neom Turf Cup: A Promoted Group One Event
The Saudi Cup card also features the Neom Turf Cup, which has been promoted to a Group One contest for 2026. Scheduled for 4.10pm, this open race presents another opportunity for World Pool quinella bets.
SHIN EMPEROR, the decisive winner of this event in 2025, is likely primed for a repeat victory under trainer Yoshito Yahagi and is a must-include in quinella selections. However, he faces a stronger field this year, with ROYAL CHAMPION emerging as a formidable contender. This eight-year-old gelding, trained by Karl Burke, showed significant improvement in 2025, winning a Group Two at York over this distance and finishing a good third in the Group One Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. His recent victory in the Bahrain International Trophy, where he ran down GALEN at the finish, demonstrates his comfort with Middle East travel and stamina.
Royal Champion is a strong candidate for win and place bets, and including him with Galen in a quinella could prove rewarding.
Red Sea Turf: Epic Poet's Redemption Bid
In the Red Sea Turf at 4.50pm, EPIC POET seeks to improve on last year's second-place finish. While it might be presumptuous to claim he would have won with a clear run, he performed admirably to secure a clear second despite a tricky course. If fortune favors him with open gaps at critical moments, he could finally achieve victory in this event.
Betting Pointers for the Riyadh Card
- Royal Champion (Win and Place) – 4.10pm, Riyadh
- Royal Champion, Shin Emperor, Galen (Quinella) – 4.10pm, Riyadh
- Epic Poet (Win and Place) – 4.50pm, Riyadh
- Forever Young, Nevada Beach, Bishops Bay (Quinella) – 5.40pm, Riyadh
This Saudi Cup night promises to be an epic spectacle, with Forever Young leading the charge for historic glory amidst a field of elite competitors. Punters and racing fans alike are set for a thrilling evening of high-stakes action in Riyadh.
