DEL MAR, Calif. -- Forever Young delivered a stunning victory in Saturday's $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar, defeating defending champion Sierra Leone by a half-length before a crowd of 35,173 fans.

The Japanese trained and

bred 4-year-old colt's triumph was particularly sweet after finishing third in both last year's Kentucky Derby and the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic behind the same rivals. This time, with jockey Ryusei Sakai aboard, Forever Young made no mistakes.

Starting from the No. 5 post, Sakai positioned Forever Young just behind the early leaders, showing patience throughout the 1 1/4-mile journey before making his move on the far turn. The colt completed the distance in 2:00.19 over the fast track and paid $9 to win at 7-2 odds.

Fierceness, the 2023 champion 2-year-old male, finished third, 2 1/4 lengths behind Sierra Leone, with Preakness winner Journalism taking fourth.

"It is my dream to beat these horses," beaming trainer Yoshito Yahagi said through a translator. "Also, Fierceness and Sierra Leone will be retired. So this was the last chance against these two guys together".

The victory marked Yahagi's third career Breeders' Cup win and Sakai's first. Yahagi revealed that Forever Young was only "75 percent" fit for his prep race in Japan but had the horse "100 percent ready" for the Classic.

The Classic field was notably missing Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty, who was scratched earlier in the week due to a fever. However, the race still featured a stellar lineup including multiple Grade 1 winners.

Forever Young increased his career earnings to $19,358,590, with 10 wins in 13 starts. Owner Susumu Fujita and Yahagi announced that Forever Young would remain in training as a 5-year-old, with plans to target the Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup early in 2026, followed by a return to the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on October 31.

The victory represents a significant achievement for Japanese racing on the world stage, with Forever Young becoming the latest international star to conquer one of North America's most prestigious races.