MAGNITUDE HITS THE BALL OUT OF THE PARK IN THE DUBAI WORLD CUP. FOREVER YOUNG FINISHES SECOND

By Graham Potter | Sunday, March 29, 2026

It was a massive win for America in the Middle East that had nothing to do with the hostilities gripping the region, although it can be argued that it did contain a different ‘shock and awe’ component part … the sporting version … which saw the mostly unheralded USA trained Magnitude shoot down the claims of the mighty Forever Young in the US $12 million Dubai World Cup.

On paper, the race appeared to be Forever Young’s to lose with the dual Saudi Cup and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner seemingly royally poised to become the world’s highest prize-money earner if he could take out the win.
As he went out on the Meydan track, with the intent of setting the record straight after his third place finish in the race last year, few would have bet against him.

And there was no reason to have any concerns about the main fancy all the way to the approach to the home turn.
Magnitude had jumped straight to the lead and Forever Young had quickly settled in a close-up second place, racing just to the outside of Magnitude, keeping the leader well within his sights.

The first point of worry for the Forever Young followers came on the point of the home turn.

While it had been clear throughout that jockey Jose Ortiz had Magnitude moving at a very comfortable gallop in front, dictating the race to suit himself, all the way to the home turn, it was only when Ortiz started to fire up Magnitude on straightening and kicked just under two lengths clear, that it became apparent that Forever Young had a real fight on his hands.

Forever Young chased hard, initially failing to make up any significant leeway on Magnitude … and, although the Japanese star did close to within a length of Magnitude at the line, the shock realisation that he was never going to get there was already hitting home with as much as 300m left to run.

The awe aspect related to giving credit where credit was due … obviously to Magnitude himself, but just as much credit must go to trainer Steve Asmussen, for the magnificent, fully-primed way he prepared the horse, for the tactics he asked Ortiz to employ … and to Ortiz for the masterful ride which played a very important part in seeing Magnitude carry the day on one of racing’s biggest stages.

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