2026 Saudi Cup predictions, odds, horses, contenders from racing insider
CBS Sports
by
Gene Menez
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Forever Young is making history in the 2026 Saudi Cup as he aims to become the first horse to win the world’s richest race twice. The defending champion, bred in Japan, secured a thrilling victory last year by edging out Romantic Warrior in a dramatic finish. Now, at five years old and with over $19.3 million in career earnings, Forever Young is the 8-11 morning-line favorite to repeat his success. If he wins again, he will move into second place for all-time career earnings, trailing only behind Romantic Warrior.
Michelle Yu, a renowned horse racing insider who correctly predictedForever Young’s win last year, has returned to Riyadh to analyze this year’s contenders. Among the 14 horses competing, Bishops Bay (7-2) and Nevada Beach (11-1) are strong challengers. Bishops Bay, a Cigar Mile winner, has been purchased by local connections for this race, leveraging his love for one-turn courses. Nevada Beach, trained by Bob Baffert, showed promise in his last start but narrowly lost to Nysos.
Luxor Cafe (16-1), a Japanese invader, faces tough odds after underperforming recently, while Haqeet (100-1) could surprise with his stamina and improving form. Mhally (40-1), a local favorite, brings solid form from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques prep race. The race also features Banishing (33-1), who has struggled in recent starts, and Luxor Cafe (16-1), whose inconsistent form since the Kentucky Derby remains a question mark.
The 2026 Saudi Cup is not just a race for horse lovers but a spectacle for sports enthusiasts worldwide. With record-breaking purses totaling $20 million, it attracts elite horses and trainers, setting the stage for an unforgettable event. Forever Young’s ability to dominate despite skipping a
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/13/2026