Forever Young Moves to No. 2 in NTRA Thoroughbred Poll

Although his victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) Sept. 18 at the new Belmont Park may not have fully satisfied trainer Yoshito Yahagi, Forever Young (JPN) did satisfy many of the national media who vote in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's weekly Top Thoroughbred Poll. The Japanese racehorse's second career win on United States soil following his victory in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), and his first this year, saw the 5-year-old son of Real Steel (JPN) rise to second in the rankings, closing the gap on reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty. The latter missed a scheduled start in the Jockey Club Gold Cup due to a foot setback. Forever Young actually received the most first-place votes, receiving 13 compared to Sovereignty's 12. However, when the points were tallied based on where all 30 voters ranked them within their own Top 10, Sovereignty retained the top spot with 262 points compared to Forever Young's 250. Third-ranked Knightsbridge received two first-place votes and fifth-ranked Magnitude received three. Fourth-ranked Nitrogen, the leading female in the poll, returns Sept. 25 in the Beldame Stakes (G2) for her first start since finishing second to Sovereignty in the Aug. 8 Whitney Stakes (G1). The rest of the leaderboard, which is meant to represent the race for Horse of the Year honors, saw little change. Woodbine Mile (G1T) winner Notable Speech (GB) swapped from eighth last week to seventh this week with Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Golden Tempo. Outside the Top 10, The Puma now ranks 15th following his win in the Sept. 19 Pennsylvania Derby (G1), making him the fifth-ranked 3-year-old behind Englishman, Golden Tempo, Leading Change, and Napoleon Solo. See the full Week 35 Rankings