Japanese horse racing has been on the increase throughout modern history, with runners from the nation becoming more evident at the biggest meetings across the globe.
It is a country that is incredibly passionate about its racing action, with millions staying up throughout the night to watch major international races such as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Kentucky Derby.
However, a maiden win in either race is still yet to be achieved, but it doesn’t feel as though we are that far away from seeing it. The Japanese’s love for racing can be clearly seen by the sheer number of high-quality and lucrative races run at the nation’s capital track in Tokyo annually.
History of Tokyo Racecourse
Tokyo Racecourse has been the home of Japanese racing since it was built in 1933, and it is regarded as the ‘racecourse of racecourses’ within Asia.
A massive capacity of 223,000 attend the racing at the national track, with a staggering 13,750 seats available to visitors. The grass course measures 2083 metres, while the dirt course covers 1899 metres.
Unlike other nations outside of Britain and Ireland, jumps racing is also popular in Japan, with a steeplechase course covering 1675 metres.
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February Stakes
The first big race of the calendar year in Japan comes in the form of the G1 February Stakes. This race is run over a distance of 1,600 metres and features horses aged four and older.
The race was first run in 1984, before it was upgraded to Grade One status in 2007. Nowadays, the race holds increased significance, as it is a major prep before the racing on Dubai World Cup Night.
Café Pharoah is the most successful horse in the race, winning two editions of the February Stakes and setting the speed record of 1.33.8 in 2022.
NHK Mile
One of the most prestigious races on the Tokyo calendar comes in the form of the NHK Mile Cup, which is run annually in May. A staggering purse is on offer annually, with the field completing a distance of one mile.
Unlike other big events run at Tokyo, this race is only open to horses aged three. Before 2001, it was a race only open to horses that were bred outside of Japan, but this was lifted to create a more competitive race.
It is the major prep before the Tokyo Yushun, while there are also races across the nation that are available to prepared runners for the NHK Mile. There have been some talented winners of the race throughout recent history, including Jantar Mantar in 2024.
Tokyo Yushun
The biggest race in Japan is the Tokyo Yushin, otherwise known as the Japanese Derby. The Grade One is run by horses aged three, with a total distance of a mile and four furlongs being covered. It is run annually in either late May or early June, and it has been a regular race on the schedule since 1932.
The race is the second leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, as it is proceeded by the Satsuki Sho, with the Kikuka Sho being staged later in the year. Since 2010, it has been open to international raiders, but only nine foreign-bred runners are able to line up.
Key prep races before the Japanese Derby include the Aoba Sho at Tokyo and the Principal Stakes. Some legendary horses have won the Japanese Derby throughout recent history. Among those include multiple-time graded winners in recent seasons such as Contrail, Shahryar, and Do Deuce.
Japan Cup
It could be argued that the most prestigious race to be staged annually in Asia comes in the form of the Japan Cup. The race is contested on the last Sunday in November, with the field of horses aged three and older competing over a distance of a mile and a half. It is run under weight for age restrictions, with a maximum field of 18 runners lining up.
With a purse of around $8.3 million, it is among the richest races in the world. It has become an invitational event with huge international interest across the last ten years, with runners from Britain, Ireland, and Germany all lining up to take their position.
The race also ranks among the likes of the Breeders’ Cup, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Melbourne Cup as events that round of the season. Almond Eye is the hors that is most closely associated to the race, having won two editions in 2018 and 2020.
The first win set the speed record of 2:20.6. Gentildonna is the only back-to-back winner of the race, having landed the Japan Cup in 2012 and 2013. International success has been more common in modern history, with Michael Stoute winning the race on two occasions in the 1990s.
