The Tokyo Great Autumn Festival on December 29, 2024, concluded with thrilling results as the horse For Ever Young clinched victory, reinforcing its status as the top contender throughout the racing season. This prestigious event, held at the Ohi Racecourse, brought excitement and anticipation among racing enthusiasts, culminating months of intense competition.
For Ever Young, who was the overwhelming favorite with odds of 1.3, successfully captured the race with a winning time of 2 minutes and 4.9 seconds. The horse commenced with stellar speed, swiftly establishing itself as one of the front runners. During the race, For Ever Young secured its position just behind Crown Pride, who led briefly before being overtaken.
"The horse aims for the world’s best. I felt I couldn’t lose," said jockey Sakai, reflecting on the pressure he felt to deliver for For Ever Young. His sentiments echoed the anticipation surrounding this year’s grand finale, as the horse's win showcased its stamina and racing capabilities, especially under competitive pressure. The victory places For Ever Young among only four three-year-olds who have won this race since the Grade 1 status was assigned, the first being Omega Perfume six years earlier.
Following close behind was Wilson Tesoro, who took second place, finishing about one and three-quarter lengths behind For Ever Young. This horse had been favored by some pundits and fans leading up to the event. Viewers who tuned in to comedian Roshi’s predictions on his YouTube channel saw him suggest Wilson Tesoro as a key contender, noting, "Now is its prime," as he analyzed its strengths against other competitors.
Meanwhile, Ramjet settled for third place, cutting through the inside to clinch the podium spot. The betting community enjoyed quite the day as well, with payouts reported at 210 yen for the bet combination of horses two and four, 270 yen for the two-way horse equation of four over two, and 420 yen for combinations among the three horses. The more daring bettors who placed three-horse combinations with For Ever Young experienced rewards of 790 yen contributing to the event's electrifying atmosphere.
The excitement didn't merely stem from the race results. Audience reactions continued to flow, with many opining on Roshi’s YouTube predictions. Fans expressed their thoughts through comments, saying, "Really pushing hard, only expects the best!" as they shared their experiences and picks from the festival.
The Tokyo Great Autumn Festival not only marked the end of this year’s racing season but also set the stage for next year’s competitions. Predictions made by enthusiasts and analysts across various platforms provided insight and enhanced the communal spirit around the sport. Many remarked on how this year saw fans particularly engaged, especially surrounding charismatic figures like Roshi, who, after successfully predicting outcomes across several races, has emerged as a popular voice among racing aficionados.
All eyes now turn to future events as fans anticipate which horses will carry their hopes for the next racing calendar. The thrilling performances displayed at the Tokyo Great Autumn Festival signal promising prospects, and as always, fans are encouraged to partake in the discussions for the upcoming season.