Forever Young Crowned JRA Horse of the Year for 2025

Forever Young’s 2025 season left little room for debate. After a year defined by elite international performances, the Deep Impact grandson has been named the Japan Racing Association’s Horse of the Year, securing an overwhelming 226 of 248 votes from racing journalists.

Trained by Yoshito Yahagi, Forever Young delivered on the sport’s biggest stages. He captured the Saudi Cup on February 22, added domestic Group 1 success in the Nippon TV Hai on October 1, and then sealed his year with a landmark victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 1. His only defeat of the campaign came in the Dubai World Cup on April 5, where he finished third.

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Triple South African Pathways to the Breeders’ Cup

South African racing has reached a quiet but meaningful milestone. For the first time since the concept was first raised with Breeders’ Cup officials in 2006 and formally implemented some years later, the country now boasts three direct Breeders’ Cup Challenge opportunities on its calendar.

The major breakthrough comes with the inclusion of the Cape Flying Championship, which joins the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series as South Africa’s first-ever sprint race to offer a pathway to the global championship meeting. It is a significant vote of confidence in local speed talent and places the Cape Flying alongside some of the most established prep races worldwide.

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South African Racing: Long-Term Seasonal Comparison (2016/17–2024/25)

South African racing has been widely criticized for its downward spiral by many observers without due knowledge of the numbers. We breakdown each category of numbers as presented by the annual reports of the NHA to see if there is any truth to the criticism. Naturally, as stakes have marginally increased over time (excluding inflation numbers) the sport has become exponentially more expensive over this same time frame. Feed costs, vet costs and other associated costs to keeping a horse have increased hence the perception that racing stakes are not keeping up, aren’t totally unfounded. This also excludes the actual increase in yearling prices

Des Scott passes at 97: The Quiet Force Behind the Scott Bros Racing Dynasty

Des Scott never chased attention, yet few figures left a deeper imprint on South African racing. His passing at the age of 97 closes the story of a man whose influence was built on patience, judgment and an unwavering belief in doing things properly — and over time.

Eclipse Awards Finalists Announced as U.S. Racing Reflects on a Defining Year

The finalists for the 2025 Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards have been confirmed, placing the spotlight on a season that blended emerging talent with established excellence across American Thoroughbred racing.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) jointly released the shortlists following a strong voting response. Of the 240 eligible voters, 221 participated, representing a 92 percent turnout. The electorate included racetrack racing officials, Equibase field personnel, NTWAB members, and Daily Racing Form.