Japanese horse racing has been on the precipice of breaking through on the U.S. scene. It seemed like it was almost there in 2021 when it won three Breeders’ Cup races. But after that it leveled off.

With his victory in the 2026 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz this month, a highly successful defense of his 2025 win in that very race, Forever Young brings resounding back-to-back wins in this world’s ...