ENGLISH TEXTS rately reading a horse’ s form. The empathy and finesse of exercise riders like Jessy( Jolivet) and Elaura( Cieslik, who ride some of our horses, can make all the difference.)
Dreams, Pedigrees and Stars In nearly five years of existence, the Sparkling Star silks have not yet shone at the summit of the great Classics. But in the world of horses, drawers are never short of dreams.“ I would love to see Opalus Road win a Group 3. I know it’ s not an easy target, but at his best, I believe he could hold his own without embarrassment.” And the Qatar Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe?“ The Arc is one of the most intense dreams for any owner. For now, I admire it from a distance— it’ s a spectacular race. As for the future … who knows? Ascot, on the other hand, is a dream within the dream, almost hard to imagine. Having a runner at the Ascot meeting … what else?” Finally, I ask about her pedigree preferences.“ I have always loved Lope de Vega, but he has become virtually inaccessible. Among the more‘ commercial’ stallions, I really like Hello Youmzain. On our side, a colt has just been born at the stud— Martina has always bred, even if on a small scale. He’ s a very distinctive grey by Big Rock. And in training, we have a nice two-year-old by Torquator Tasso, Turronbati. It was Tina’ s turn to choose the name this time, and I was very moved that she chose a reference to a nickname dedicated to me … but that’ s a long story,” she adds mischievously. Before we part, she adds almost confidentially:“ I have often bought foals or claiming horses that touched my heart, that I wanted to offer better care, a second chance. It sometimes led to discussions with Tina, whose vision was not always aligned with mine— and I understand her perfectly. But if I’ m honest, every single one of them, from the first to the last, repaid that slightly crazy gamble by giving me moments of happiness, small or great.” All the very best to this unique lady. My Lady B.
HORSE
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FOREVER YOUNG, THE GENESIS OF A CHAMPION
BY LOÏC STECHER CHOCRON
Even Bob Baffert says so: Forever Young( Real Steel) is simply too good. And the champion trainer knows what he’ s talking about, his horse Nysos was comprehensively beaten in the 2026 edition of the Saudi Cup. The Japanese dirt genius has amassed nearly $ 30 million in prize money. A portrait of the richest racehorse in history.
$ 29,358,590— that is the staggering amount earned by Forever Young! Who could ever have imagined that a racehorse would one day reach such heights? Beyond the financial aspect, there is above all an astonishing résumé: at three, he completed the Saudi Derby – UAE Derby double, then finished third in the Kentucky Derby( Gr. 1) before winning two Group 1 races in Japan and placing third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic( Gr. 1) at Del Mar. He returned even stronger at four. Only four races last year, as his trainer Yoshito Yahagi aimed to be more selective. It must be said that, as a colt, Forever Young had already given plenty. At two, he was unbeaten in three starts( over 1,800 and 1,600 meters), including a Group 1, always on dirt, his preferred surface. At four, his trainer prepared him for the Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. Forever Young hit the mark and what a race it was. The $ 20 million purse attracted the world’ s best horses, particularly those from Hong Kong. From that blazing rock in Southeast Asia came Romantic Warrior, unbeaten in eight races at the time, with multiple Group 1 victories to his name. The 2025 Saudi Cup promised to be magnificent. Forever Young and Romantic Warrior gave everything, battling fiercely on the Saudi dirt. With 50 meters to go, the two champions were stride for stride. It was then that the Japanese star edged ahead and soared to glory. A glory that never left him that year. In the autumn, Forever Young gained his revenge in the Breeders’ Cup against Sierra Leone. He secured the first
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