Japan Cup
Encyclopedia
- For the road bicycle racing event, see Japan Cup (cycling)Japan Cup (cycling)The Japan Cup is a road bicycle racing one-day event held each October in Japan since 1992. The Japan Cup is a popular and early season stop on the UCI Asia Tour and often includes several teams from the UCI ProTour. It is currently part of the UCI Asia Tour....
. - For the bowling event, see Dydo Japan CupDydo Japan CupDydo Japan Cup is an annual PBA and JPBA bowling event. The tournament typically featured the top 16 bowlers from each organization, and has been dominated by PBA Tour professionals since 1989. The last JPBA bowler to win the event was Takeo Sakai in 1988.The tournament celebrated its 25th...
.
The is the most prestigious horse race run in Japan. It is contested at the end of November at Tokyo Racecourse
Tokyo Racecourse
is located in Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan. Built in 1933 for horse racing, it is considered the "racecourse of racecourses" in Japanese horseracing. It has 13,750 seats, with a capacity of 223,000....
in Fuchu, Tokyo
Fuchu, Tokyo
is a city located in western Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 255,394 and a population density of 8,700 persons per km². The total area was 29.34 km²...
at a distance of 2400 meters (about 1 ½ miles) over the grass. With a purse of ¥476 million (about US $5.8 million), the Japan Cup is one of the richest races in the world.
The Japan Cup is an invitational event. During a relatively short history, the race has established itself as an international contest with winners from Japan, North America, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy.
The Japan Cup has produced some of the most memorable finishes seen in Japanese racing. Along with the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
, Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major Thoroughbred horse race. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races...
and the Breeders' Cup
Breeders' Cup
The Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Thoroughbred horse races, most but not all Grade I, operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, it expanded to two days. The location...
, the race ranks as one of the great end-of-year events.
The Japan Racing Association
Japan Racing Association
The Japan Racing Association is a public company established to operate Chūō Keiba and to manage racecourses, betting facilities, and horse-training facilities....
established the Japan Cup as an international invitational race in order for local racehorses to have the opportunity to compete against horses of an international calibre and to promote goodwill within the racing community worldwide.
Purse
With the economic crisis of 2008, the Japanese yen went under 100 yen per dollar, which makes the Japan Cup the world's richest turf horse race (and second richest horse race of any kind, next to the Dubai World CupDubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1996 and from 2010 at the Meydan Racecourse in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates...
), passing the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which in 2008 was the world's richest turf race.
(Purse value for 2006-onwards running)
Total JPN ¥476,500,000 (about US$5.88 million)
- 1st JPN ¥250,000,000 (about US$3.09 million)
- 2nd JPN ¥100,000,000 (about US$1.23 million)
- 3rd JPN ¥63,000,000 (about US$778,000)
- 4th JPN ¥38,000,000 (about US$469,000)
- 5th JPN ¥25,000,000 (about US$309,000)
Bonuses
Bonuses include extra money added to the pot of the Japan Cup winner if they raced in one of the following races and finished likewise:| Preparatory Event to Japan Cup | Qualification | Japan Cup Winner Bonus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the... Breeders' Cup Turf Breeders' Cup Turf The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner... King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Epsom Derby Epsom Derby The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies... Irish Derby Prix du Jockey Club Prix du Jockey Club The Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies... Dubai Sheema Classic Dubai Sheema Classic The Dubai Sheema Classic is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Arab Emirates open to thoroughbreds which are four-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres on the turf track at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, and it takes place annually during the Dubai World Cup Night in... |
Japan Cup | Current Year Winner | JPN ¥130,000,000 |
| Current Year Runner-Up | JPN ¥50,000,000 | ||
| Previous year winner, foreign-trained horse | JPN ¥100,000,000 | ||
| Arlington Million Arlington Million The Arlington Million is a Grade 1 flathorse race in the United States for thoroughbred horses aged three years and upward. It is raced over a distance of 1¼ miles on the turf at Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Illinois in August each year... Canadian International Stakes Canadian International Stakes The Canadian International Stakes is a $2 million Grade I Canadian stakes race on Turf for thoroughbred racehorses three years of age and up held annually in October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario.... Cox Plate Cox Plate The W.S. Cox Plate is an Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held in Melbourne every October by the Moonee Valley Racing Club to honour W.S. Cox, the club's founder. For three-year-olds and over, the race is considered to be the Weight for Age championship of Australasia... Irish Champion Stakes Irish Champion Stakes The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and... Grosser Preis von Baden Grosser Preis von Baden The Grosser Preis von Baden is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Baden-Baden over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early September.-History:The event was established in 1858, and it... |
Current Year Winner |
Note: The Takarazuka Kinen
Takarazuka Kinen
The Takarazuka Kinen is a Grade I flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 2,200 metres at Hanshin Racecourse in late June...
and the Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
were previously bonus criteria for races prior to 2008; starting with the 2008 race however they are no longer criteria and were replaced by the Dubai Sheema Classic.
A horse can only apply for one extra bonus, and will be awarded the higher of the two if applicable (i.e. if a US-based horse won both the Arlington Million
Arlington Million
The Arlington Million is a Grade 1 flathorse race in the United States for thoroughbred horses aged three years and upward. It is raced over a distance of 1¼ miles on the turf at Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Illinois in August each year...
and the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
, the bonus will apply to the latter rather than the former).
Previously, if the winner is foreign-based, they also received an invitation to race in the Arima Kinen
Arima Kinen
The Arima Kinen is a Grade I flat horse race in Japan open to Thoroughbreds which are three-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,500 metres at Nakayama Racecourse, and it takes place annually in late December...
later in the year; however, starting in the 2007 race, with the status upgrade to an International Grade I, that invitation award has been discontinued.
Race history
The inaugural running in 1981 was restricted to horses trained in Japan, the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India, as well as ones that were specifically invited. An American mare triumphed as five-year-old Mairzy DoatesMairzy Doates
Mairzy Doates was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. She was owned by New York City art dealer Arno D. Schefler who bought her as a weanling from breeder Preston W. Madden. Schefler named her for the novelty song "Mairzy Doats" made popular in a 1943 recording by bandleader Al Trace.Trained by...
, trained by John Fulton and partnered by Cash Asmussen
Cash Asmussen
Cash Asmussen is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. Born Brian Keith Asmussen, in 1977 he legally changed his name to "Cash". From a Texas horse racing family, his parents, Keith and Marilyn "Sis" Asmussen, operate a ranch in Laredo, Texas...
, came home a length in front of the Canadian-trained Frost King, with The Very One, another from America, in third.
A year later restrictions on entry were abolished and the best horses from around the world were invited and the Japan Cup remains an invitational race.
There was again an American-trained victor in 1982, with three-year-old Half Iced getting the better of a thrilling battle with French fillies All Along
All Along
All Along was a champion Thoroughbred racemare that was foaled in France. She was one of the top fillies of the last part of the 20th century, racing mostly in Europe.-Background:...
and April Run
April Run
April Run was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who competed internationally and who in 1982 was voted a Champion both in France and the United States....
by a couple of necks, with Stanerra a length back in fourth.
Stanerra, owned and trained by Irish retail millionaire Frank Dunne, returned to Japan in 1983, having enjoyed a brilliant season in Europe which included winning both the Hardwicke Stakes
Hardwicke Stakes
The Hardwicke Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.-History:...
and the Prince of Wales's Stakes
Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
at Royal Ascot
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
. The tough and courageous mare was partnered by regular jockey Brian Rouse in the third running of the Japan Cup and proved a head too strong for the Japanese-trained Kyoei Promise. It was a very close finish as Esprit Du Nord from France was another head back in third.
The Japanese enjoyed a first home success in 1984 when four-year-old Katsuragi Ace defeated Bedtime, trained in Britain by Major Dick Hern
Dick Hern
William Richard "Dick" Hern, CVO, was an English Thoroughbred racehorse trainer and winner of sixteen British Classic Races between 1962 and 1995, and was Champion Trainer on four occasions....
, by a length and a half. There was further Japanese success in 1985, with the previous year's third Symboli Rudolf
Symboli Rudolf
Symboli Rudolf was a Japanese thoroughbred racehorse who won the Japanese Triple Crown, sired by Partholon, a son of Milesian, out of Sweet Luna, a daughter of Speed Symboli...
defeating Rocky Tiger in good style.
Jupiter Island became the first British raider to capture the Japan Cup the following year when the Clive Brittain
Clive Brittain
Clive Brittain is a British race-horse trainer. He began training as an apprentice in 1949, and on his own as a licensed trainer in the early 1970s. He currently trains at Carlburg Stables in Newmarket, Suffolk...
-trained seven-year-old just got the better of compatriot Allez Milord, trained by Guy Harwood
Guy Harwood
Guy Harwood is a retired British racehorse trainer. Harwood was born in Pulborough, West Sussex, in 1939. Harwood began riding at the age of 18 and won 40 point-to-point races and 14 National Hunt races over the next few years...
, by a head under an inspired ride from Pat Eddery
Pat Eddery
Patrick James John "Pat" Eddery is a former flat racing jockey. Pat's father Jimmy Eddery was a jockey, as is his brother Paul Eddery.-Career:...
.
The French made their mark in 1987 when the Robert Collet
Robert Collet
Robert Collet is a French thoroughbred racehorse trainer.Robert Collet was one of the first European trainers to win a Breeders' Cup race when he won the 1986 edition of the Breeders' Cup Mile at Hollywood Park Racetrack with Last Tycoon...
-trained and Alain Lequeux
Alain Lequeux
Alain Lequeux was one of France's leading jockeys in the 1970s and 1980s. He won 33 Group or Grade 1 races, including the 1981 Washington, D.C. International Stakes aboard Providential for trainer Charlie Whittingham. Son of leading French rider Guy Lequeux, he won more than 2,000 races while...
-ridden Le Glorieux
Le Glorieux
Le Glorieux was a French/German Thoroughbred racehorse who in 1987 achieved the extraordinary feat of winning three Group one races on three different continents when he won the Grosser Preis von Berlin in Europe, the Washington, D.C...
came home in front, while the Americans struck for a third time in 1988 with the Robert J. Frankel-trained Pay The Butler, the mount of Chris McCarron
Chris McCarron
Christopher John "Chris" McCarron is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network....
.
In 1989 and 1990, horses from New Zealand and Australia came out on top. The 1989 renewal fell to the New Zealand six-year-old mare Horlicks
Horlicks (horse)
Horlicks was an outstanding Thoroughbred racemare from New Zealand. She won the internationally-contested 1989 Japan Cup in a world record time of 2:22 for 2,400 metres - a remarkable feat given that many of the world's classic races, such the Belmont Stakes, are run over this distance...
when scoring by a neck in world record time for 2400 meters. A year later Better Loosen Up
Better Loosen Up
Better Loosen Up was an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Japan Cup in 1990 and was named Australia's champion racehorse in 1991. He campaigned from two to seven years of age, and won 17 of his 45 starts, including eight Group One races...
struck for Australian trainer David Hayes by a head from French-trained Ode, with another head to Cacoethes, trained by Guy Harwood, who had gone clear only to be caught close home. These two victories did much to promote Southern Hemisphere racing in the international arena.
Veteran American trainer Charlie Whittingham
Charlie Whittingham
Charles Edward Whittingham was an American thoroughbred race horse trainer who is one of the most acclaimed trainers in U.S. racing history....
sent out Golden Pheasant
Golden Pheasant (horse)
Golden Pheasant is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won races in France, England, the United States, and Japan. He was owned by the then owner of the Los Angeles Kings NHL ice hockey team, Bruce McNall, and superstar Hall of Fame player, Wayne Gretzky.Trained by Jonathan Pease, Golden...
to win in 1991. Owned by the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team owner Bruce McNall
Bruce McNall
Bruce Patrick McNall is a former Thoroughbred racehorse owner, and a sports executive who once owned the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League .McNall claimed to have made his initial fortune as a coin collector, though...
and his superstar player, Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
, Golden Pheasant gave the USA a fourth Japan Cup victory, while the Japanese took the next three renewals with Tokai Teio
Tokai Teio
Tokai Teio was a Japanese thoroughbred racehorse, sired by Symboli Rudolf, a son of Partholon, out of Tokai Natural, a daughter of Nice Dancer...
(1992), Legacy World (1993) and Marvelous Crown (1994).
There had been a number of German challengers for the Japan Cup over the years but it was not until 1995 that a horse from that country proved successful, with five-year-old Lando triumphing under South African-born but British-based jockey Michael Roberts
Michael Roberts (jockey)
Michael Roberts is a South African jockey currently residing in Suffolk, England, with his wife Verna and two daughters, Melanie and Carolyn. Roberts has had a successful career, winning many English and South African races multiple times. He was British flat racing Champion Jockey in 1992...
.
British trainer Michael Stoute
Michael Stoute
Sir Michael Ronald Stoute is a Barbadian British thoroughbred horse trainer in flat racing. Stoute, whose father was the Chief of police for Barbados, left the island in 1964 at the age of 19 to become an assistant to trainer Pat Rohan and began training horses on his own in 1972...
landed both the 1996 and 1997 Japan Cups with the supremely tough and talented international campaigners Singspiel
Singspiel (horse)
Singspiel was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. The Bay horse was out of the Eclipse Award winner and Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame mare, Glorious Song...
- by a nose - and Pilsudski
Pilsudski (horse)
Pilsudski is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was bred in Ireland, but trained in the United Kingdom during a racing career which lasted from 1994 to 1997. In a four season career he progressed from winning modest handicap races to become regarded as one of the best racehorses...
- by a neck - respectively.
Singspiel, owned and bred by Sheikh Mohammed
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , also Sheikh Mohammed, , is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates , and absolute monarch of Dubai.-Personal life and education:...
, won a total of five Group/Grade One events during his career, including the 1996 Canadian International Stakes
Canadian International Stakes
The Canadian International Stakes is a $2 million Grade I Canadian stakes race on Turf for thoroughbred racehorses three years of age and up held annually in October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario....
and the 1997 Dubai World Cup
Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1996 and from 2010 at the Meydan Racecourse in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates...
.
Pilsudski's victory in 1997 came on his final appearance and was his sixth Group/Grade One victory, with others coming in the Grosser Preis von Baden
Grosser Preis von Baden
The Grosser Preis von Baden is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Baden-Baden over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early September.-History:The event was established in 1858, and it...
in Germany, the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
and Irish Champion Stakes
Irish Champion Stakes
The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and...
. Pilsudski took up stallion duties in Japan but moved to Ireland in 2004.
The Japanese then struck back with victories for El Condor Pasa
El Condor Pasa (horse)
El Condor Pasa was a Japanese racehorse that won the Japan Cup. He became second in Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.- Progeny :Daughters/Sons...
(1998), Special Week (1999) and T M Opera O
T M Opera O
T M Opera O was a Japanese thoroughbred racehorse, sired by Opera House, a son of Sadler's Wells, out of Once Wed, a daughter of Blushing Groom. T.M. Opera O was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2004.T.M. Opera O was the world's all-time leading money-earner...
(2000).
El Condor Pasa led home a Japanese one, two, three in the 18th running - the first time this had happened.
The Sunday Silence
Sunday Silence
Sunday Silence was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, earning distinction as 1989 American Horse of the Year over American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse Easy Goer. He was foaled in 1986, sired by Halo out of Wishing Well by Understanding. Though he was registered as a dark bay/brown, he was in...
colt Special Week, third in 1998, gave Japan's highest profile jockey Yutaka Take
Yutaka Take
is a Japanese jockey who is a multiple champion in his homeland and won the Japan Cup in 1999 on the horse Special Week...
his first success in the Japan Cup which is watched by enthusiastic crowds of over 150,000. The Hong Kong-trained Indigenous
Indigenous (horse)
Indigenous was an Irish thoroughbred racehorse who also raced in Hong Kong.He was bred by Major John de Burgh at his Oldtown Stud in Naas, County Kildare, Ireland and sold as a yearling for 10,500 guineas at the Goffs Orby Sale in 1994.Purchased by trainer Kevin Prendergast, he was named...
ran a brilliant race to be second with 1998 Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
winner High-Rise
High-Rise (horse)
High-Rise is a retired Thoroughbred race horse and active sire, bred in Ireland, but trained in the United Kingdom, Dubai and the United States. He is best known as the winner of the Epsom Derby in 1998...
, racing for Godolphin, in third and 1999 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
winner Montjeu
Montjeu
Montjeu , is a thoroughbred horse racing World Champion colt and sire of champions. Sired by Sadler's Wells from the dam Floripedes, Montjeu is a grandson of Northern Dancer....
fourth.
T M Opera O went into the 2000 Japan Cup unbeaten that year and emerged with his record intact, scoring by a neck from Meisho Doto with Godolphin's fast-finishing Fantastic Light
Fantastic Light
Fantastic Light is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He was foaled in the United States but was trained in England and Dubai during his racing career, which ran from August 1998 to his retirement following the Breeders' Cup Turf on October 2001...
a nose back in third.
Jungle Pocket continued the Japanese run of success in 2001, with the winner of the Tokyo Yushun
Tokyo Yushun
The , also called as the is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 2,400 metres at the Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo in late May or early June....
sweeping home under French jockey Olivier Peslier
Olivier Peslier
Olivier Peslier is a thoroughbred horse racing jockey.Peslier competes in flat racing mainly in France but travels often around the world for the big international races....
to beat T M Opera O by a neck. The Japanese also had the next three with Golan
Golan (horse)
Golan is a retired thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was bred in Ireland but trained in the United Kingdom throughout his racing career, which lasted from 2000 to 2002. He won the 2,000 Guineas in 2001 and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in 2002...
, from Sir Michael Stoute's Newmarket stable, in sixth.
In 2002 the Group One contest moved to Nakayama Racecourse
Nakayama Racecourse
is located in Funabashi, Chiba, Japan. It is used for horse racing. It has a capacity of 165,676. It was built in 1990. It has 15,944 seats.-Physical attributes:Nakayama Race Course has two grass courses, a dirt course, and a jump course....
while Tokyo Racecourse was being renovated. The distance was shortened to 2200 meters (about 1 3/8 miles) on the right-handed outer loop course.
Italian-trained challenger Falbrav
Falbrav
Falbrav is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire, bred in Ireland but trained in Italy and the United Kingdom during his racing career which ran from 2000 to 2004...
, ridden by Frankie Dettori
Frankie Dettori
Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing...
, was a nose too good for the American raider Sarafan in another thrilling finish, with Symboli Kris S a neck away in third. It was Dettori's second Japan Cup success as he had previously won on Singspiel in 1996. Falbrav subsequently transferred from Italy to Newmarket, England-based trainer Luca Cumani
Luca Cumani
Luca M. Cumani is an Italian thoroughbred horse trainer. He has trained at Bedford House Stables in Newmarket, England since 1976...
and went on to take five more Group One
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
contests in 2003.
For the 2003 renewal, the great contest returned to Fuchu and was won by the Japanese-trained Tap Dance City, who triumphed on soft ground by an amazing nine lengths from That's The Plenty. Symboli Kris S was again third.
The prize stayed in Japan again in 2004. Zenno Rob Roy led home a Japanese 1-2-3 with French ace Olivier Peslier in the saddle. Zenno Rob Roy's Japan Cup success was the middle leg in a run of three Group One wins in Japan.
A photo finish
Photo finish
A photo finish occurs in a sporting race, when two competitors cross the finishing line at near the same time. As the naked eye may not be able to discriminate between which of the competitors crossed the line first, a strip photo, a series of rapidly triggered photographs, or a video taken at the...
decided the 2005 winner, as Alkaased narrowly beat Heart's Cry for the cup by a nose. This finish gave Heart's Cry his third near miss in a G-1 race. The previous year's winner Zenno Rob Roy placed a third, beating Lincoln by a nose. Horlick's world record from 1989 was also broken, with an incredible time of 2m 22.1s.
Deep Impact
Deep Impact (racehorse)
Deep Impact is a champion Japanese racehorse that won seven Japanese Domestic Grade 1 races, including all races of Japanese Triple Crown .-Racing career:...
won the 2006 running in the penultimate race of his career, helping the Sunday Silence
Sunday Silence
Sunday Silence was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, earning distinction as 1989 American Horse of the Year over American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse Easy Goer. He was foaled in 1986, sired by Halo out of Wishing Well by Understanding. Though he was registered as a dark bay/brown, he was in...
colt to his second consecutive Horse of the Year award in Japan.
In the 2009 edition, another photo finish decided the winner, in which the five-year-old mare Vodka
Vodka (horse)
is a Japanese Thoroughbred racemare that won the 2007 Group One Tokyo Yūshun , the first filly to win this race in 64 years, as well as winning the 2009 Japan Cup. She won seven G1 races in Japan and is the highest earning racemare in Thoroughbred history.-Breeding:Vodka was foaled on 4 April 2004...
on her third Japan Cup try with the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
jockey Christophe Lemaire
Christophe Lemaire
Christophe Patrice Lemaire is a French-born jockey. He takes his middle name from his father, who made a name for himself in the world of French handicap racing.In 1999 he obtained the licence required for a French jockey, and began racing...
won by a nose over the 2008 Kikuka Sho
Kikuka Sho
The is a Japanese Domestic Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 3,000 metres at the Kyoto Racecourse, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture in October....
winner Oken Bruce Lee, at a time of 2 minutes and 22.4 seconds, the third-fastest Japan Cup ever run at the standard 2400-meter distance. Vodka's win would make her the 2nd-richest racehorse in Japan and the world; the two-time Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
winner Conduit
Conduit (horse)
Conduit is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. In a career that lasted from August 2007 to November 2009 he won seven of his fifteen starts, including four at Group One/Grade I level....
would finish 4th on his final race of his career. Vodka placed 4th in the 2007 running to Admire Moon
Admire Moon
is a Japanese racehorse who won the 2007 Dubai Duty Free Stakes, Takarazuka Kinen and Japan Cup.- GI Races :Admire Moon ran in the Satsuki Sho in 2006, his first Grade I race in his career. He placed 4th to Meisho Samson...
and 3rd in the 2008 running to Screen Hero, in which the latter ran 13th in the 2009 race.
The 2010 running ended in controversy when favourite Buena Vista was first past the post, only to be relegated to second behind Rose Kingdom as a result of interference in the straight. The decision caused much debate around the world as to whether the interference was sufficinet to warrant a change of placings.
No horse has yet won the Japan Cup on more than one occasion.
Winners
| Year |
Winner |
Foaled |
Trained |
Owned |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
| 1981 | Mairzy Doates Mairzy Doates Mairzy Doates was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. She was owned by New York City art dealer Arno D. Schefler who bought her as a weanling from breeder Preston W. Madden. Schefler named her for the novelty song "Mairzy Doats" made popular in a 1943 recording by bandleader Al Trace.Trained by... |
USA | USA | USA | 5 | Cash Asmussen Cash Asmussen Cash Asmussen is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. Born Brian Keith Asmussen, in 1977 he legally changed his name to "Cash". From a Texas horse racing family, his parents, Keith and Marilyn "Sis" Asmussen, operate a ranch in Laredo, Texas... |
John Fulton | Arno Schefler | 2:25.3 |
| 1982 | Half Iced | USA | USA | USA | 3 | Don MacBeth Don MacBeth Donald MacBeth was a Canadian jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing.Born in Red Deer, Alberta, Macbeth rode horses at Alberta racetracks before going to race in the United States. Among horses of note, he rode Deputy Minister, winner of the 1981 Sovereign and Eclipse awards for Outstanding... |
Stanley M. Hough Stanley M. Hough Stanley M. Hough Stanley M. Hough Stanley M. Hough (born February 20, 1948 in Palatine, Illinois is an American Thoroughbred horse racing trainer. The son of Chicago-based Thoroughbred owner/trainer Joseph Hough, he embarked on a training career of his own in 1969.... |
Bertram R. Firestone | 2:27.1 |
| 1983 | Stanerra | IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... |
IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... |
IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... |
5 | Brian Rouse | Frank Dunne | Frank Dunne | 2:27.6 |
| 1984 | Katsuragi Ace | JPN | JPN | JPN | 4 | Katsuichi Nishiura | Kazumi Domon | Ichizo Node | 2:26.3 |
| 1985 | Symboli Rudolf Symboli Rudolf Symboli Rudolf was a Japanese thoroughbred racehorse who won the Japanese Triple Crown, sired by Partholon, a son of Milesian, out of Sweet Luna, a daughter of Speed Symboli... |
JPN | JPN | JPN | 4 | Yukio Okabe | Yuji Nohira | Symboli Bokujo | 2:28.8 |
| 1986 | Jupiter Island | IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... |
UK | UK | 7 | Pat Eddery Pat Eddery Patrick James John "Pat" Eddery is a former flat racing jockey. Pat's father Jimmy Eddery was a jockey, as is his brother Paul Eddery.-Career:... |
Clive Brittain Clive Brittain Clive Brittain is a British race-horse trainer. He began training as an apprentice in 1949, and on his own as a licensed trainer in the early 1970s. He currently trains at Carlburg Stables in Newmarket, Suffolk... |
Marquess of Tavistock Robin Russell, 14th Duke of Bedford Henry Robin Ian Russell, 14th Duke of Bedford, DL was a British peer. He became better known to the public than most of his ancestors by appearing in three series of the reality television programme Country House, made by Tiger Aspect Productions for BBC Two, which in turn inspired Monarch of the... |
2:25.0 |
| 1987 | Le Glorieux Le Glorieux Le Glorieux was a French/German Thoroughbred racehorse who in 1987 achieved the extraordinary feat of winning three Group one races on three different continents when he won the Grosser Preis von Berlin in Europe, the Washington, D.C... |
FRA France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
FRA France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
FRA France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
3 | Alain Lequeux Alain Lequeux Alain Lequeux was one of France's leading jockeys in the 1970s and 1980s. He won 33 Group or Grade 1 races, including the 1981 Washington, D.C. International Stakes aboard Providential for trainer Charlie Whittingham. Son of leading French rider Guy Lequeux, he won more than 2,000 races while... |
Robert Collet Robert Collet Robert Collet is a French thoroughbred racehorse trainer.Robert Collet was one of the first European trainers to win a Breeders' Cup race when he won the 1986 edition of the Breeders' Cup Mile at Hollywood Park Racetrack with Last Tycoon... |
Sieglinde Wolf | 2:24.9 |
| 1988 | Pay The Butler | USA | USA | USA | 4 | Chris McCarron Chris McCarron Christopher John "Chris" McCarron is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network.... |
Robert J. Frankel | Edmund A. Gann Edmund A. Gann Edmund A. Gann is an American businessman and Thoroughbred racehorse owner.-Early life and career:... |
2:25.5 |
| 1989 | Horlicks Horlicks (horse) Horlicks was an outstanding Thoroughbred racemare from New Zealand. She won the internationally-contested 1989 Japan Cup in a world record time of 2:22 for 2,400 metres - a remarkable feat given that many of the world's classic races, such the Belmont Stakes, are run over this distance... |
NZL | NZL | NZL | 6 | Lance O'Sullivan Lance O'Sullivan Lance Anthony O'Sullivan was one of New Zealand's best-known jockeys, now retired.He won a record number of races totalling 2479, mainly in the 1980s including the 1989 Japan Cup on champion mare Horlicks, which broke the world record over 2400m... |
Dave O'Sullivan | Graham de Gruchy | 2:22.2 |
| 1990 | Better Loosen Up Better Loosen Up Better Loosen Up was an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Japan Cup in 1990 and was named Australia's champion racehorse in 1991. He campaigned from two to seven years of age, and won 17 of his 45 starts, including eight Group One races... |
AUS Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
AUS Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
AUS Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
5 | Michael Clarke | David Hayes | Gabe Farrah, et al. | 2:23.2 |
| 1991 | Golden Pheasant Golden Pheasant (horse) Golden Pheasant is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won races in France, England, the United States, and Japan. He was owned by the then owner of the Los Angeles Kings NHL ice hockey team, Bruce McNall, and superstar Hall of Fame player, Wayne Gretzky.Trained by Jonathan Pease, Golden... |
USA | USA | USA | 5 | Gary Stevens | Charles Whittingham | McNall Bruce McNall Bruce Patrick McNall is a former Thoroughbred racehorse owner, and a sports executive who once owned the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League .McNall claimed to have made his initial fortune as a coin collector, though... / Gretzky Wayne Gretzky Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,... |
2:24.7 |
| 1992 | Tokai Teio Tokai Teio Tokai Teio was a Japanese thoroughbred racehorse, sired by Symboli Rudolf, a son of Partholon, out of Tokai Natural, a daughter of Nice Dancer... |
JPN | JPN | JPN | 4 | Yukio Okabe | Shoichi Matsumoto | Masanori Uchimura | 2:24.6 |
| 1993 | Legacy World | JPN | JPN | JPN | 4 | Hiroshi Kawachi | Hideyuki Mori | Horse Tajima Co. | 2:24.4 |
| 1994 | Marvelous Crown | JPN | JPN | JPN | 4 | Katsumi Minai | Makoto Osawa | Sadao Sasahara | 2:23.6 |
| 1995 | Lando | GER Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
GER Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
GER Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
5 | Michael Roberts Michael Roberts (jockey) Michael Roberts is a South African jockey currently residing in Suffolk, England, with his wife Verna and two daughters, Melanie and Carolyn. Roberts has had a successful career, winning many English and South African races multiple times. He was British flat racing Champion Jockey in 1992... |
Heinz Jentzsch | Gestüt Haus Ittlingen | 2:24.6 |
| 1996 | Singspiel Singspiel (horse) Singspiel was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. The Bay horse was out of the Eclipse Award winner and Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame mare, Glorious Song... |
IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... |
UK | UAE | 4 | Frankie Dettori Frankie Dettori Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing... |
Michael Stoute Michael Stoute Sir Michael Ronald Stoute is a Barbadian British thoroughbred horse trainer in flat racing. Stoute, whose father was the Chief of police for Barbados, left the island in 1964 at the age of 19 to become an assistant to trainer Pat Rohan and began training horses on his own in 1972... |
Sheikh Mohammed Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , also Sheikh Mohammed, , is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates , and absolute monarch of Dubai.-Personal life and education:... |
2:23.8 |
| 1997 | Pilsudski Pilsudski (horse) Pilsudski is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was bred in Ireland, but trained in the United Kingdom during a racing career which lasted from 1994 to 1997. In a four season career he progressed from winning modest handicap races to become regarded as one of the best racehorses... |
IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... |
UK | UK | 5 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
Michael Stoute Michael Stoute Sir Michael Ronald Stoute is a Barbadian British thoroughbred horse trainer in flat racing. Stoute, whose father was the Chief of police for Barbados, left the island in 1964 at the age of 19 to become an assistant to trainer Pat Rohan and began training horses on his own in 1972... |
Lord Weinstock Arnold Weinstock Arnold Weinstock, Baron Weinstock was an English businessman whom The Guardian newspaper called "Britain's premier post-second-world-war industrialist."... |
2:25.8 |
| 1998 | El Condor Pasa El Condor Pasa (horse) El Condor Pasa was a Japanese racehorse that won the Japan Cup. He became second in Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.- Progeny :Daughters/Sons... |
USA | JPN | JPN | 3 | Masayoshi Ebina Masayoshi Ebina is a Japanese jockey. Nicknamed Ebi-Shō.He is best known for riding El Condor Pasa.That won the Japan Cup and second in Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe .In 2010 he won the Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown with Apapane.... |
Yoshitaka Ninomiya | Takashi Watanabe | 2:25.9 |
| 1999 | Special Week | JPN | JPN | JPN | 4 | Yutaka Take Yutaka Take is a Japanese jockey who is a multiple champion in his homeland and won the Japan Cup in 1999 on the horse Special Week... |
Toshiaki Shirai | Hiroyoshi Usuda | 2:25.5 |
| 2000 | T M Opera O T M Opera O T M Opera O was a Japanese thoroughbred racehorse, sired by Opera House, a son of Sadler's Wells, out of Once Wed, a daughter of Blushing Groom. T.M. Opera O was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2004.T.M. Opera O was the world's all-time leading money-earner... |
JPN | JPN | JPN | 4 | Ryuji Wada | Ichizo Iwamoto | Masatsugu Takezono | 2:26.1 |
| 2001 | Jungle Pocket | JPN | JPN | JPN | 3 | Olivier Peslier Olivier Peslier Olivier Peslier is a thoroughbred horse racing jockey.Peslier competes in flat racing mainly in France but travels often around the world for the big international races.... |
Sakae Watanabe | Yomoji Saito | 2:23.8 |
| 2002 | Falbrav Falbrav Falbrav is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire, bred in Ireland but trained in Italy and the United Kingdom during his racing career which ran from 2000 to 2004... |
IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... |
ITA Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... |
ITA Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... |
4 | Frankie Dettori Frankie Dettori Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing... |
Luciano d'Auria | Scuderia Rencati | 2:12.2 |
| 2003 | Tap Dance City | USA | JPN | JPN | 6 | Tetsuzo Sato | Shozo Sasaki | Yushun Horse Syndicate | 2:28.7 |
| 2004 | Zenno Rob Roy | JPN | JPN | JPN | 4 | Olivier Peslier Olivier Peslier Olivier Peslier is a thoroughbred horse racing jockey.Peslier competes in flat racing mainly in France but travels often around the world for the big international races.... |
Kazuo Fujisawa Kazuo Fujisawa is a trainer of Thoroughbred race horses. He has been a licensed trainer in Japan since 1987 and since 1993 has won the training title eleven times.... |
Shinobu Oosako | 2:24.2 |
| 2005 | Alkaased | USA | UK | UK | 5 | Frankie Dettori Frankie Dettori Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing... |
Luca Cumani Luca Cumani Luca M. Cumani is an Italian thoroughbred horse trainer. He has trained at Bedford House Stables in Newmarket, England since 1976... |
Michael Charlton | 2:22.1 |
| 2006 | Deep Impact | JPN | JPN | JPN | 4 | Yutaka Take Yutaka Take is a Japanese jockey who is a multiple champion in his homeland and won the Japan Cup in 1999 on the horse Special Week... |
Yasuo Ikee | Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Makoto Kaneko is the President, CEO and Representative Director of Zuken Inc., a public listed multinational corporation in the Tokyo Stock Exchange.Makoto Kaneko is better known as a prominent horse owner in Japan... |
2:25.1 |
| 2007 | Admire Moon Admire Moon is a Japanese racehorse who won the 2007 Dubai Duty Free Stakes, Takarazuka Kinen and Japan Cup.- GI Races :Admire Moon ran in the Satsuki Sho in 2006, his first Grade I race in his career. He placed 4th to Meisho Samson... |
JPN | JPN | UAE | 4 | Yasunari Iwata Yasunari Iwata is a Japanese jockey who rode the winner of the 2006 Melbourne Cup, Delta Blues. It was Iwata's first race outside of Japan.In 2005, Iwata won the 19th World Super Jockey Series .-Major wins: Australia... |
Hiroyoshi Matsuda | Darley Japan Farm Co. Ltd. Darley Racing Darley Racing is a one of the world's preeminent thoroughbred horse racing operations. It is controlled by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and vice-president of the United Arab Emirates.... |
2:24.7 |
| 2008 | Screen Hero | JPN | JPN | JPN | 4 | Mirco Demuro | Yuichi Shikato | Teruya Yoshida | 2:25.5 |
| 2009 | Vodka Vodka (horse) is a Japanese Thoroughbred racemare that won the 2007 Group One Tokyo Yūshun , the first filly to win this race in 64 years, as well as winning the 2009 Japan Cup. She won seven G1 races in Japan and is the highest earning racemare in Thoroughbred history.-Breeding:Vodka was foaled on 4 April 2004... |
JPN | JPN | JPN | 5 | Christophe Lemaire Christophe Lemaire Christophe Patrice Lemaire is a French-born jockey. He takes his middle name from his father, who made a name for himself in the world of French handicap racing.In 1999 he obtained the licence required for a French jockey, and began racing... |
Katsuhiko Sumii Katsuhiko Sumii is a Japanese horse trainer.He trained the first and second placing horses in the 2006 Melbourne Cup, Delta Blues and Pop Rock.- Famous Horses :* Delta Blues - Won Melbourne Cup , Kikuka Sho (born March 28, 1964, Kanazawa, Ishikawa) is a Japanese horse trainer.He trained the first and second... |
Yuzo Tanimizu | 2:22.4 |
| 2010 | Rose Kingdom | JPN | JPN | JPN | 3 | Yutaka Take Yutaka Take is a Japanese jockey who is a multiple champion in his homeland and won the Japan Cup in 1999 on the horse Special Week... |
Kojiro Hashiguchi | Sunday Racing | 2:25.2 |
| 2011 | Buena Vista | JPN | JPN | JPN | 5 | Yasunari Iwata Yasunari Iwata is a Japanese jockey who rode the winner of the 2006 Melbourne Cup, Delta Blues. It was Iwata's first race outside of Japan.In 2005, Iwata won the 19th World Super Jockey Series .-Major wins: Australia... |
Hiroyoshi Matsuda | Sunday Racing Co Ltd | 2:24.2 |
The 2002 race took place at Nakayama Racecourse
Nakayama Racecourse
is located in Funabashi, Chiba, Japan. It is used for horse racing. It has a capacity of 165,676. It was built in 1990. It has 15,944 seats.-Physical attributes:Nakayama Race Course has two grass courses, a dirt course, and a jump course....
over a distance of 2,200 metres.
Rose Kingdom finished 2nd to subsequent Japanese Horse of the Year
Japanese Horse of the Year
The Japanese Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in Japanese thoroughbred horse racing. It is awarded annually by the Japan Racing Association ....
Buena Vista but was promoted as a result of a disqualification.
Trivia
The Japan Cup is one of the graded races in the horse simulation game Derby Owners ClubDerby Owners Club
Derby Owners Club is a horse racing simulation arcade game made by Sega-AM3. The format of the game is a player uses one of several consoles at the arcade to train horses, and then races them against 11 other computer AI horses or any number of other players on tracks and G-1...
.