The richest race in the world became a race for the ages on Saturday, as Forever Young and Romantic Warrior fulfilled hopes of an epic clash in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1).

Japanese star Forever Young scored his first internationally recognized Group 1 victory in Sunday’s Tokyo Daishoten (G1) at Oi.

Hitherto campaigned as a sprinter/miler, Juddmonte Farms’ homebred Laurel River vindicated trainer Bhupat Seemar’s bold decision to try about 1 1/4 miles in Saturday’s $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1).

Defending champion Ushba Tesoro will meet 11 challengers in Saturday’s $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan.

As a deep-closing, one-turn specialist, Joe Peacock Jr.’s homebred Senor Buscador has been frustrated time and again in the most prestigious races stateside. But Saturday’s Saudi Cup (G1) proved to be exactly the right stage.

The world’s richest race is shaping to be something of a reboot of the biggest raceday in the United States – with a few extras thrown in for good measure.