Preface

1

Japanese Horse Racing

2

JRA Racing

3

Races

3

Betting

7

JRA Racecourses

9

JRA Training Centers

13

Other JRA-related Facilities

16

NAR Racing

17

Races

17

Betting

19

NAR Racing Education Center

19

Racecourses

20

Horse Racing-Related Activities

21

Breeding

21

Promotion of Equestrian Culture, livestock industry

23

Participation in International Racing Conference

24

References

25

A Brief History of Horse Racing in Japan

25

Outline of JRA Racing and Racing by Local Governments

28

Life Cycle of Racehorses

29

Horseracing Facilities and Breeding Areas

31

Facts and Figures

32

Main Achievements of Japan Trained Horses Abroad (GI Races)

39

Japan Association for International Racing Stud Book (JAIRS)

42

Directory

43

odern horse racing in Japan had its beginnings in racing events that were organized by foreign residents of Yokohama
in 1862. In 1861, when Japan was about to move from the feudal system into the Meiji Restoration, foreign residents
living in Yokohama, predominantly British, introduced the first Western-style horse racing by establishing the Yokohama
Race Club to Japan. Western style horse racing was held in foreign enclaves, and hence, unfortunately, very little is
known or recorded about initial era in Japan’s modern horse racing history.
At about the same time that the name of the Japanese central city was changed from Edo to Tokyo, Western-style horse
racing began to be found in the major metropolitan cities across the country. In 1906, the government embarked on apolicy which tacitly allowed to bet. This led to the introduction of modern horse racing featuring sales of betting tickets inTokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and other metropolitan cities, from which most racing operations benefited.
However, this profitable system was short lived; two years later, the government prohibited betting and instituted a systemof paying direct subsidies for prize money and other horse racing expenses.
During this subsequent period of government-subsidized horse racing, prominent legislators, businessmen, as well as
breeders, began active efforts to introduce a horse racing law. Eventually the government began to take proactive position
to promote horse racing in order to expand breeding in Japan and to improve quality of the Japanese horses. In 1923,
horse racing legislation, so greatly desired by the horse racing industry, was enacted and led to the formation of 11 racing
clubs. Horse racing accompanied by the legal sale of betting tickets was thus established. Shortly thereafter, the Imperial
Racing Society was established as a horse racing authority of 11 racing clubs, and was responsible for the rules of racing,which served as a model for the rules of the individual racing clubs. The Imperial Racing Society defined the registrationof racing colors, the education of trainers, and the licensing of jockeys, among other horse racing functions. The Horse
racing Law underwent a major revision in 1936, which saw the formation of the Japan Racing Society which legallymerged the 11 racing clubs and the Imperial Racing Society in their entirety, including their facilities and horse racing
functions.
This reform brought favorable account on horse racing in Japan, constituting the Japanese Derby as well as other classic
races, along with a complete change and improvement in racing itself. There were also dramatic increases in the turnoveras well as attendance, marking the birth of modern horse racing in Japan as it exists today. In 1941, Saint Lite became thefirst Triple Crown winner in Japan.
However, during the latter part of World War II, the racecourses were forced to suspend operations and the most historicof the modern racecourses, Yokohama, was commanded by the government for military use.
The termination of hostilities saw an immediate resumption of horse racing, when in 1946, Tokyo and Kyoto began
holding race meetings. Also, 1947 brought a new type of betting “quinella” for the first time in Japan. In 1948, a new
Horse racing Law was introduced, whereby the Japan Racing Society was abolished and under the new law, thegovernment (the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) took total control of horse racing. Although this “government horse
racing” continued much the same as before, the turnover did not increase throughout this extremely difficult period. In
1954, the Horse racing Law was amended again, to enact the Japan Racing Association Law. This established the Japan
Racing Association, or as it is now known as JRA, which took over the entire horse racing functions and operations ofgovernment horse racing. These laws not only provided for “national racing” in Japan, but also for the legalization andoperation of “regional public racing” as a separate system to that of national racing.

1 |orse racing in Japan is characterized by fair racing
which is held with integrity in a systematic, orderly
manner as prescribed by the Horse racing Law of Japan. All
authorized racing in Japan, by law, must be conducted by theJapan Racing Association (JRA) (a public enterpriseestablished by the national government) and local
government entities.
Furthermore, the law does not permit wagering to be
conducted by anyone other than racing authorities and racing
authorities must offer all wagers under a pari-mutuel formula.
Japan has to rank among countries around the world as one
in which thoroughbred horse racing is the most popular.
Totally, Japan held 1,394 race meetings in 2021, with 16,221
flat and jump races. The betting turnover is number one
worldwide, with total flat and jump purses that rank first in
the world. Globally, Japan also breeds the fourth highest
number of Thoroughbreds.

JRA Racing (operated by the Japan
Racing Association)
RA was established in 1954 by the enactment of the Japan
Racing Association Law to take over horse racing that had
been operated by the national government. JRA operates
under the oversight of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries.
The main office of JRA which is located in Tokyo, acts as
the nerve center for the nationwide network of 10
racecourses, the 38 off-course betting facilities called“WINS” and other JRA related entities, and engages in
activities concerning the direct or indirect development andoperation of national horse racing.
JRA is required to provide 10% of its gross betting turnoverto the national treasury, as well as 50% of any surplus profits
remaining at the end of the fiscal year. In fiscal 2021, JRA
paid approximately ¥346 billion into the National Treasury,use of which is specified by law: three-quarters must be
designated for improvement of livestock breeding and theremaining one-quarter for public or social welfare. JRA also
contributes to horse breeding, as well as the propagation andpromotion of other types of livestock programs. JRA also
provides for the promotion of equestrian culture, thereby

2 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

returning benefits to society as a whole.
JRA operates 10 racecourses with eight of these holding
both flat and jump racing. The remaining two racecourses
only hold flat racing. In 2021, there were 3,456 races, which
generated a betting turnover of approximately ¥3.1 trillion.

National Association of Racing (NAR;
operated by Local Governments)
esignated autonomous local municipalities anddesignated prefectural governments have held Racing
by Local Governments since 1948. NAR is the centralizedorganization and registry for Racing by Local Governments.
This racing, like that of JRA, is under the oversight of the
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and operates
among other purposes to contribute to the finances of local
governments.
The NAR was established in 1962 to standardize theregistration of local racing’s racehorse owners andracehorses as well as to establish a licensing authority for
local racing trainers and jockeys nationwide. Racing by local
governments consists of 14 local governments locatedthroughout the country, which serve as organizers of theraces held within their jurisdiction. These 14 local
governments are comprised of two prefectural governments,
two municipal, and 10 joint-organizations. NAR is theauthority that oversees this racing.
The 14 organizers of racing by local governments held
14,524 races during 2021 at 15 tracks with a turnover ofapproximately ¥965 billion. These figures include one
racecourse (Obihiro) which specializes in only draft horse
racing.

2021 Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) (winner: EFFORIA)RA holds thoroughbred flat races and jump races in Japan,
with about half of the racing schedule for flat races is heldon turf and half on dirt courses.

Racing Calendar
RA is allowed to hold 36 meetings annually. A race
meeting is a maximum of 12 days, with racing held 288
days a year. As a general rule, race meetings must have amaximum of 12 races a day.
JRA racing days are in principle limited to weekends, onboth Saturday and Sunday, with several exceptions fornational holidays. Special provisions exist for JRA to holdracing during the weekdays in emergency circumstances.
2021 JRA Races
Flat races
Jump races

3,456
3,329(1,617 turf/1,712 dirt)
127

levels of ability are always determined according to thatmeasure.
The highest level of these races is the open races, among
which high-value races are considered graded races. In orderto promote the broad recognition of the role and importanceof grading the races and provide a benchmark for the
breeding industry, graded race structure was implemented in
1984. In 2007, Japan was promoted to Part I country of theInternational Cataloging Standards, and ever since, thenumber of Japanese graded races gaining internationalrecognition increased by the year, and in 2010, all Japanesegraded races were recognized as international graded races
and became open to foreign-trained horses. JRA also
introduced a grading system to jump races in 1999, and there
are now 10 graded Jump Races: J-GI (2 races), J-GII (3races) and J-GIII (5 races).

Number of JRA Races by Class in 2021
Classes
Graded
Open
3-win
2-win
1-win
Newcomer
MaidenNo. of races (share %)129 (3.9)130 (3.9)
214 (6.4)
477 (14.3)
925 (27.8)
297 (8.9)
1,157 (34.8)

Race DistanceRacing Calendar

Types of Races
Racing Calendar

RA racing is divided into two categories: flat and jump
racing. The conditions are set up to ensure that horses ofsimilar levels compete against each other. Horses are
assigned in the categories according to the prize money
value of the races. There are also handicap races, in which
relative differences in the abilities of runners are leveled byincreasing or decreasing the weights to be carried of horses.
In some cases, competing horses are limited by sex, but in allcases the amount of prize money earned is the standard, andhe distance for two-year-old flat races must be 800 meters
or longer, while the distance for three-year-olds and up
must be 1,000 meters or longer. Race distance is graduallyextended between horses making their debut as two-years
old and the spring of their three-year-old season, taking into
account factors such as the horse’s growth and racing
experience, so that by the time three-year-olds startcompeting against older horses, they can experience racing
distances up to 2,400 meters or more.
In mixed races for three-years-olds and older horses, race
structure is created to appeal to the racing fans with variety
of distances, so that individual racehorses can fully bring out
their ability in speed and stamina.
The racing distance on turf for two-year-olds ranges from
1,000 meters to 2,000 meters. Races over 1,800 meters

3 |account for the largest proportion of the total, 40%. Races
between 1,400 meters to a mile account for 38%, and thenfollowed by sprint races. For three-year-olds, the distance isset from the shortest at 1,000 meters up to 3,000 meters, with
44% of these races set at Intermediate and the next largest
proportion in Mile. Lastly, the distance for three-year-olds
and up ranges from 1,000 meters up to 3,600 meters, with
36% of these races set at Intermediate. Next in order ofnumerical percentage by distance are Mile and Sprint.

Number of JRA Races by Distance on Turf in 2021
Total flat races on turf

1,617 races

1,000–1,200 m
1,400–1,600 m
1,700–2,000 m
2,200 m and over

337 races
455 races
635 races
190 races

20.8%
28.1%
39.3%
11.8%

Prize Money
Racing Calendar

he purse for JRA races are awarded to the first five
finishers. Depending on the races, there are otherincentive monies paid to the runners finishing from sixth totenth place, and stakes money, registration fees borne byhorse owners, which is distributed among the top threefinishers where applicable.
The largest first-place purse is ¥400 million each for theJapan Cup and Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix), and thesmallest is the ¥5.2 million for events held for winless threeyear-olds and two-year-olds. The total prize money provided
by JRA in 2021 was ¥110 billion.

Trainer, Jockey, Groom Incomes
RacingCalendarrainers chiefly derive their income from owner-paid
contract fees and 10% of the prize money. Jockey income
consists of riding fees, 5% of the prize money, contract
training fees and salaries if they are directly employed bytrainers. Grooms are paid a salary by trainers and about 5%of the prize money.

Licenses and Registration
Racing Calendar

Trainer Licenses
One must pass the JRA license examination to obtain a
trainer’s license in JRA racing. A trainer’s license is valid for
one year and license renewal examinations are held annually.
One must be 28 years of age or older to be eligible to takethe test. Examination categories include racing regulations,hippology, tests on academic subjects, along with tests ofequestrian skills, among other topics. Trainer’s examinations
are generally taken after experience has been gained as ajockey or stable hand. Trainers are required to beknowledgeable about the training and supervision of
racehorses. They must also possess a variety of expertise
pertaining to the education of young stable hands, jockeys,
stable operations and so forth.
Jockey Licenses
Only licensed jockeys may ride horses entered in races inJapan and one must pass the JRA license examination to
obtain a jockey’s license to become a professional. A
jockey’s license is valid for one year, and license renewal
examinations are held annually. One must be 16 years old orolder to be eligible to take the test. Examination categories
include racing regulations, hippology and other academic
subjects along with a test of practical skills of the jockey’s
techniques. In 2015, the two world-class riders, Italian Mirco
Demuro and Frenchman Christophe Lemaire were granted
full-term jockey licenses by JRA. There is also a short-term
license, limited to three months, issued to superior foreign
jockeys to ride in Japan. JRA and NAR operate jockey
training schools to train jockeys, and the majority ofcurrently active jockeys have attended those schools. (Pleaserefer to Page 19 for details on the JRA Horse Racing School)
Horse Owner Registration
As a general rule, a person aspiring to become a racehorseowner in Japan, must first be a resident of Japan (in the caseof non-Japanese, a resident alien), not have a criminal record
for imprisonable offenses.
Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient assets andincome to possess a racehorse. Individuals, corporations andprivate groups (syndicates) may own racehorses, and thenumber enrolled in membership corporations has been
increasing recently. Also, trainers, trainer's assistants, jockeys,
stable hands and others who have direct contact with racing
operations and racehorses may not become horse owners.
JRA began accepting applications for owner registration forforeign persons who are non-Japanese residents in 2009.
Further, details on this process are available athttps://japanracing.jp/en/horsemen/jra_rules/rules_racing.html#c2

4 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

Ensuring Integrity
1. Horses entering races
Horses must be stabled either at a training center or at the
racecourse stables 10 to 15 days before a race to ensure
integrity in horse racing and proper quarantine measures.
2. Jockeys
After their mounts have been declared on the day before therace, jockeys are obliged to remain in the jockeys’ quarters
or jockey’s room until they mount their assigned horses.
These facilities are at racecourses, or training centers, and areequipped so that jockeys can prepare themselves mentallyand physically to demonstrate their utmost abilities during
races.

Jockey’s quarters

3. Limitations on offering/purchasing bets
Only authorized racing authorities are permitted to offer
bets under Japanese law, so when anyone other than a racing
authority offers bets, not only the seller, but also any person
who has purchased wagers from the illegal sellers will beseverely punished. Moreover, anyone who offers bets via theInternet from an overseas location, as well as anyone whopurchases bets from such a concern, is similarly subject tosevere punishment.

International Relations
apan’s horse racing industry has for many years imported
superior thoroughbreds from overseas for racing andbreeding purposes as part of its efforts to improve horses
bred in Japan and to enhance their racing stamina.
JRA established the Japan Cup, an international invitational
race in 1981. This race, pitting champion horses from fourcontinents against each other, has gained acceptance as an
event to determine the world’s turf champion. Japan’s horse
racing industry has rapidly absorbed the expertise ofadvanced horse racing nations through the Japan Cup andhas managed to join their ranks. The race is highly rated
around the world and the International Cataloguing Standard
Committee conferred a Part 1 race rating on the Japan Cup
in 1992.
JRA graded races that have systematically been opening up
to foreign-trained horses since 1993 have steadily obtainedPart 1 ratings. The International Cataloguing Standard
Committee elevated Japan to a Part 1 nation status in 2007 asa result of Japan opening more than half of its graded races
to foreign-trained horses. All JRA flat graded races havebeen opened to foreign-trained horses since 2010. (Pleaserefer to Page 44 “Main Achievements of Japan Trained
Horses Abroad (GI Races)”)
The introduction of the world’s leading jockeys has also
raised the level of JRA racing. The World Super Jockeys
Series was inaugurated in 1987 in an attempt to improve theriding skills of Japanese jockeys and to promote international
friendship. It has been renamed as the World All-Star
Jockeys and altered in schedule and venue (Sapporo
Racecourse, Hokkaido) in 2015.
Also, each year, JRA holds trophy exchange races withvarious racing authorities from foreign countries to deepen
international relations and goodwill.

4. Stewards’ offices
Stewards’ offices have been set up at both training centersthere are several stewards on duty there around the clock.
The stewards are in constant communication with stablepersonnel and patrol the training centers’ premises as neededin an effort to ensure the safety of horses and personnel.

2021 Japan Cup (winner: CONTRAIL)

5 |2022 JRA Graded 1 Races (Flat races)
Date
Race
Feb. 20 February Stakes
Mar. 27 Takamatsunomiya Kinen
Apr. 3
Osaka Hai
Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas)
Apr. 10(1st leg of fillies’ triple crown)
Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas)
Apr. 17(1st leg of triple crown)
May. 1
Tenno Sho (Spring)
May. 8NHK Mile Cup
May. 15 Victoria Mile
Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks)
May. 22(2nd leg of fillies’ triple crown)
Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby)
May. 29(2nd leg of triple crown)
Jun. 5
Yasuda Kinen
Jun. 26 Takarazuka Kinen
Oct. 2Sprinters Stakes
Shuka Sho
Oct. 16(Final leg of fillies’ triple crown)
Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger)
Oct. 23(Final leg of triple crown)
Oct. 30 Tenno Sho (Autumn)
Japan Autumn International
Nov. 13
Queen Elizabeth II Cup
Japan Autumn International
Nov. 20
Mile ChampionshipJapan Autumn International
Nov. 27 Japan Cup(International Invitational)
Japan Autumn International
Dec. 4Champions Cup
Dec. 11 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies
Dec. 18 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes
Dec. 25 Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix)
Dec. 28 Hopeful Stakes
2022 JRA International Jump Races
Date
Race
Mar. 26 Pegasus Jump Stakes
Apr. 16 Nakayama Grand Jump (J-GI)
Dec. 24 Nakayama Daishogai (J-GI)

6 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

CourseTokyo
ChukyoHanshinDistance (m)1,600 / Dirt
1,200 / Turf
2,000 / Turf

Age/Sex4yo & up
4yo & up
4yo & upHanshin

1,600 / Turf

3yo Fillies

Nakayama

2,000 / Turf

3yo No Geldings

Hanshin
Tokyo
Tokyo

3,200 / Turf
1,600 / Turf
1,600 / Turf

4yo & up
3yo No Geldings
4yo & up Fillies & MaresTokyo

2,400 / Turf

3yo FilliesTokyo

2,400 / Turf

3yo No Geldings

Tokyo
HanshinNakayama

1,600 / Turf
2,200 / Turf
1,200 / Turf

3yo & up
3yo & up
3yo & upHanshin

2,000 / Turf

3yo Fillies

Hanshin

3,000 / Turf

3yo No GeldingsTokyo

2,000 / Turf

3yo & upHanshin

2,200 / Turf

3yo & up Fillies & Mares

Hanshin

1,600 / Turf

3yo & upTokyo

2,400 / Turf

3yo & up

Chukyo1,800 / Dirt

3yo & upHanshinHanshinNakayama

1,600 / Turf
1,600 / Turf
2,500 / Turf

2yo Fillies
2yo No Geldings
3yo & upNakayama

2,000 / Turf

2yo No Geldings

CourseNakayama
Nakayama
Nakayama

Distance (m)3,350 / Turf
4,250 / Turf
4,100 / Turf

Age/Sex4yo & up
4yo & up
3yo & upDeduction Rateari-mutuel betting is the sole form of wagering for horse
racing in Japan under the Horse racing Law. JRA andlocal racing authorities are the only organizations authorized
by law to legally conduct betting operations on horse racing.
As such, there are no legal private bookmakers or betting
companies.
However, in accordance with the amended horse racing law(in force from January 1, 2005), which permits subcontractingof business matters related to the running of horse races, JRAis permitted to contract out the offering of bets and theissuance of payouts or refunds to prefectural/municipal
governments or private corporations and the prefectural/municipal governments can consign them to otherprefectural/municipal governments, JRA, or private
corporations.

Types of Bets

Racing Calendar

RA deducts about 25% of the total betting turnover(deduction rates are between 20 % and 30% depending on
the bet type), and the remaining 75% is allocatedproportionally among winning bettors, depending on theamounts of their bets. Of this 25%, 10% is disbursed to thenational government in a payment to the national treasury,
and the remaining 15% is allocated to, among other things,
operating expenses and prize money. If there are any surplus
profits remaining at the end of the fiscal year, 50 % of whichis also disbursed to the national government.
JRA House Take Percentages

Operation Expenses
and Prize Money
15%
National
Government
10%

Racing Calendars of 2022, JRA offers nine types of bets: win, place,bracket number quinella, horse number quinella,quinella place (“wide”), exacta, trio, trifecta and Pick5“WIN5.” As shown in the pie graph, trifecta makes up
around 29% of total turnover. Of these, bracket number
quinella is unique to Japan. In the case of bracket number
quinella, horses entered in a race are first coupled into a totalof eight brackets (of one horse or more in each bracket).
Customers select two brackets in a quinella-style bet and if
one horse from each of those brackets comes in first or
second (regardless of order of finish), the bet is a winner.
And in April 2011, JRA began offering the new Pick5“WIN5” wagers, which involve predicting the winners offive designated races each Sunday. The maximum payout is¥600 million.

Allocated toWinning
Bettors 75%

Off-Course Betting Facilities
Racing Calendar

RA has 38 “WINS” off-course betting facilities
nationwide and the 10 JRA racecourses which do not holdraces also function as off-course betting facilities. Several ofthese have membership regulations, with restrictions on thenumber of people permitted in, offering a luxurious, salonstyle environment in which to enjoy horse racing.

2021 JRA Betting Turnover(total turnover ¥3,091,112,025,800)
Pick5"WIN5"
1.4%

Win
6.9%

Place
9.5%

Horse
NumberQuinella…

Trifecta
29.0%
Trio
21.7%

BracketQuinella
2.4%

Quinella
Place
10.2%

Exacta5.7%

Excel floor(fixed capacity system with entry in order of arrival that day
and admission charged)

7 |IPAT(PC)WINS Korakuen

Telephone Betting
Racing Calendar

RA began offering telephone wagers in 1974. Individual
members who have signed a contract have payments ofwager amounts and transfers of payouts handled
automatically via designated bank accounts. There are four
forms of memberships: A-PAT (dedicated bank account for
ARS, PAT and IPAT systems), Soku-PAT (Internet bank for
I-PAT system), JRA Direct (Credit Card for IPAT system; PConly) and ARS (dedicated bank account for ARS system). As
of December 31, 2021, A-PAT had 1,292,707 members,
Soku-PAT 4,183,872, JRA Direct 117,881 and ARS 12,324.
ARS (Audio Response System)
Bettors must use touch-tone styled telephones to place their
bet.

IPAT(PC)

PAT (Personal Access Terminal)This home-use system is designed for use with personal
computers, TV game devices, or other related devices thatcan be directly connected to JRA’s PAT system. As well as amethod for betting, this system offers information of interest
to bettors, such as race entrants, odds and payouts.
IPAT (Internet Betting)This system began operations in March 2002 and enables
PAT subscribers to place bets easily over the Internet via cell
phones, smart phone or personal computers.
Telephone wagers and WINS (including tracks not hostingraces) turnover make up 92.7% and 6.8% of JRA’s total
turnover respectively, accounting for a vast majority of thehandle.

8 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

IPAT(Smart Phone)n October 2012, JRA and NAR developed a new
integrated totalizator system, which connects the two
betting centers. This makes it possible to bet on the NAR
races through a membership of JRA’s internet betting system
and NAR racing fans can buy JRA bets at designated NAR
racecourse.

okyo, Nakayama, Kyoto and Hanshin are known as the “big four” of the 10 JRA racecourses, and, along with Chukyo,
all GI races are held at these five courses. Three racecourses - Tokyo, Niigata and Chukyo - have counterclockwise
courses and the other tracks are right-handed.

TOKYO RACECOURSE
Offering a view of Mt. Fuji to the southwest, this is JRA’slargest racecourse. It is host to the February Stakes (GI),NHK Mile Cup (GI), Victoria Mile (GI), Yushun Himba(Japanese Oaks) (GI), Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (GI),
Yasuda Kinen (GI), Tenno Sho (Autumn) (GI) and Japan
Cup (GI). Thrilling races take place down a 530-meterlong
homestretch. The refurbishment of the grandstand wascompleted in the spring of 2007. This facility can now seat
more than 120,000.
Main course (turf)
LengthWidth
A Course
2,083.1 m
31–41 mB Course
2,101.9 m
28–38 mC Course
2,120.8 m
25–35 mD Course
2,139.6 m
22–32 mDirt course
LengthWidth
1,899.0 m
25 m
Jump course (turf)
LengthWidth
1,674.7 m
25 m

NAKAYAMA RACECOURSE
This racecourse holds the Nakayama Grand Jump (J-GI),
Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (GI), Sprinters Stakes(GI), Nakayama Daishogai (J-GI), Arima Kinen (The GrandPrix) (GI) and Hopeful Stakes (G1). The rising slope along
the final 200 meters of the homestretch adds to the interestof races. The steeplechase course has three inclining steeps
unique to Nakayama.

Main course (turf) Oval track:
LengthInner oval
A 1,667.1 m
B 1,686.0 m
C 1,704.8 m
Outer oval
A 1,839.7 m
B 1,858.5m
C 1,877.3 m
Dirt course (Oval)
Length
1,493.0 m
Jump course (turf)
LengthO-line1,456.4 m
X-line447.5 m and 424.3 m

Width
20–32 m17–29m
14–26 m24–32 m21–29m
18–26 mWidth
20–25 mWidth
20–30 m20–30 m9 |

KYOTO RACECOURSE
Built in 1924, Kyoto Racecourse is the premier racecourse
in Western Japan. It holds the same number of race meetings
as other major racecourses, with five meetings a year. Major
races are the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1), Shuka Sho (G1),
Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (G1), Queen Elizabeth II
Cup (G1) and Mile Championship (G1). It is currently
closed for renovation and construction is slated to becompleted by March 2023. All races will be relocated toother tracks during renovation.

Main course (turf)
LengthInner oval Outer oval
A Course
1,782.8 m 1,894.3 m
B Course
1,802.2 m 1,913.6 m
C Course
1,821.1 m 1,932.4 m
D Course
1,839.9 m 1,951.3 m
Dirt course
LengthOval
1,607.6 m
Jump course (turf)
LengthNormal
1,413.8 m
Grand1,399.8 m

Width
27–38 m24–35 m21–32 m18–29 m
Width
25 m
Width
23 m
20 m

HANSHIN RACECOURSEFirst built on its present location in 1948, Hanshin
Racecourse joins Kyoto Racecourse as the second of the two
feature racecourses in Western Japan. Hanshin has the same
number of race meetings as Kyoto and the two racecourses
alternate race meeting. Its uniquely long corners, as well as asteep rise just before the finish line, are the major
characteristics of this racecourse. Major races are Osaka Hai(G1), Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) (G1), Takarazuka
Kinen (G1), Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Asahi Hai
Futurity Stakes (GI).
Turf course (inner oval)
Course Length
Width Homestretch lengthA
1,689.0 m 24–28 m
356.5 mB
1,713.2 m 20–25 m
359.1 mUndulation
1.9m
1.9m

Turf course (outer oval)
Course Length
Width Homestretch lengthA
2,089.0 m 24–29 m
473.6 mB
2,113.2 m 20–25 m
476.3 mUndulation
2.4 m
2.4 m

Dirt course
LengthWidth Homestretch length
1,517.6 m 22–25 m
352.7 mUndulation
1.6 m

Steeplechase track (Turf)
O-line Length
Width Homestretch length Undulation
1,366.7 m 20.5 m
403.7 m
1.3 m

10 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

CHUKYO RACECOURSE
Chukyo Racecourse outside of Nagoya reopened in March
2012, after nearly two years of renovation work. The turf
course has been lengthened by over 100 meters and now
measures 1,705.9 meters around with a 412.5-meterhomestretch. The dirt course, now measures 1,530 meterswith a 410.7-meter final homestretch, making it the longest
dirt stretch in Western Japan. The 1,200-meter
Takamatsunomiya Kinen (GI) is held on the turf and the
1,800-meter Champions Cup (G1) is held on the dirt.
Main course (turf)
A Course
B Course
Dirt course

Length
1,705.9 m
1,724.8 m

Width
28–30 m25–27mLength1,530 m

Width
25 m

SAPPORO RACECOURSE
This racecourse, located in Sapporo City, the largest city on
the northern island of Hokkaido, has two race meetings eachyear. The major races are the Sapporo Kinen (G2), Queen
Stakes (G3), Elm Stakes (G3), Keeneland Cup (G3) andSapporo Nisai Stakes (G3). The refurbishment of the
grandstand was completed in July 2014.
Main course (turf)
A Course
B Course
C Course
Dirt course

Length1,640.9 m
1,650.4m
1,659.8 m

Width
25–27 m23.5–25.5m
22–24 mLength1,487.0 m

Width
20 m

HAKODATE RACECOURSE
Situated in Hakodate City in Hokkaido, this racecourse has
two race meetings each year. Major races are the Hakodate
Sprint Stakes (G3), Hakodate Kinen (G3) and Hakodate
Nisai Stakes (G3). The refurbishment of the grandstand wascompleted in June 2010.

Main course (turf)
A Course
B Course
C Course

Length1,626.6 m
1,651.8 m
1,675.8 m

Width
29 m
25 m
21–22 mLength
1,475.8 m

Width
20 m

Dirt course

11 |FUKUSHIMA RACECOURSE
Located in Fukushima City in northern Honshu, thisracecourse holds three race meetings annually. Major races
are the Fukushima Himba Stakes (G3), Radio Nikkei Sho(G3), Tanabata Sho (G3), and Fukushima Kinen (G3).
Main course (turf)
A Course
B Course
C Course
Dirt course

Length
1,600.0 m
1,614.1 m
1,628.1 m

Width
25–27 m22.5–25 m
20–23 mLength1,444.6 m

Width
20–25 mLength490.9 mWidth
17.6-20 m

Jump course (turf)
S-lineNIIGATA RACECOURSE
This racecourse is located in Niigata City alongside of theJapan Sea. Niigata Racecourse was completely renovated in
2001. Major races are the Sekiya Kinen (G3), Niigata Kinen(G3), Niigata Daishoten (G3), Niigata Nisai Stakes (G3), theLeopard Stakes (G3) and Ibis Summer Dash (G3), the only
JRA graded race held over the 1,000-meter straight course.

Main course (turf)
A Course
B Course
Dirt course

LengthWidth
Inner oval
Outer oval
1,623.0 m
2,223.0 m
25 m
1,648.1 m
2,248.1 m
21 m

Length1,472.5 m
Straightaway course
Length1,000.0 m

Width
20 m

KOKURA RACECOURSE
Located in the foremost industrial city of Kitakyushu on theisland of Kyushu, Kokura Racecourse holds three race
meetings a year. Its major races are the Kitakyushu Kinen(G3), Kokura Kinen (G3), Kokura Nisai Stakes (G3),
Kokura Daishoten (G3) and Kokura Summer Jump (J-G3).
Main course (turf)
A Course
B Course
C Course
Dirt course

Length
1,615.1 m
1,633.9 m
1,652.8 m

Width
30 m
27 m
24 m

Length
1,445.4 m

Width
24 m

Length1,309.0 m
415.7 mWidth
16–20 mJump course (turf)
O-lineS-line12 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

JRA Training Centers
wo training centers have been established by JRA toprovide horses with the conditioning they need to put on
the best of races. They are in Miho, Ibaraki Prefecture, ineastern Japan and Ritto, Shiga Prefecture, in western Japan.
These expansive 50- to 60-hectare sites are equipped withstables, clinics for the racehorses, lodging facilities, medical
clinics and various other facilities for the benefit of the over
2,000 racehorses stabled there and the people who take careof them. The facilities operate 24 hours a day so that the
racing runs smoothly; the fairness of races is ensured; thehorses’ safety, health and hygiene are maintained; andinformation is provided to fans. Horses to be entered in races

must be trained at the training centers for a set period (10days for horses with racing experience and 15 days or more
for those that have not raced) before races are run.
In addition to oval tracks configured to conform to actual
race situations, there are sharp uphill training tracks, turf, dirt,
woodchip, new poly track to suit any training objective.
Thorough track supervision to ensure the safety of horses intraining includes leveling out the dirt course, sprinkling
antifreeze agents on tracks in winter and water in summer.
New training facilities are steadily being built to keep pacewith diversification in training methods.

RITTO TRAINING CENTER
Total Area: 1,531,746 m2
Stable Accommodations: 2,224
Courses:A Course: (Steeplechase) 1,450 m × 20 m (turf)
B Course: 1,600 m × 20 m (dirt)
C-W Course: 1,800 m × 20 m (woodchip)
D Course: 1,950 m × 14 m (turf)
D-P Course: 2,038 m × 14 m (new polytrack)
E Course: 2,200 m × 24 m (dirt)
Uphill Course: 1,085 m × 7 m (woodchip)difference in elevation: 32 m
Woodchip riding trail: 2,300 m × 4~14 m (woodchip)
Swimming pool: 55 × 3-meter circle, 3 meters deep
Other: 2 straight line pools
Equine Clinic

North Track
B Course: 1,600 m × 20 m (dirt)
C Course: 1,800 m × 20 m (dirt)
Swimming pool: 44 × 3-meter circle, 3.0 meters deep
Other: 2 straight line pools & Water treadmill

MIHO TRAINING CENTER
Total Area: 2,235,981 m2
Stable Accommodations: 2,196
Woodland bridle path:
1,000 m × 15 m turf
1,744 m × 3.5–7 m bark

South Track
A Course: 1,370 m × 12.1 m (dirt)
1,445 m × 12.5 m (turf)
B Course: 1,600 m × 20 m (dirt)
C Course (inner): 1,800 m × 8-10 m (turf)
C Course (outer): 1,858 m × 15 m (new polytrack)
D Course: 2,000 m × 20m (woodchip)
Uphill Course: 1,200 m × 12 m (woodchip)
Difference in elevation: 18 m
Swimming Pool: 44 × 3-meter circle, 3 meters deep
Other: 2 straight line pools & Water treadmill
Equine Clinic

13 |Starting Gate Training

race, consulting services related to training and stabling, andeducational efforts related to health and hygiene ideas.

orses must pass a starting gate test to be able to enter arace. At the training centers, an important part of training
is rehearsing entering the gate and preparing for the start.

Uphill Coursen this woodchip track, workout times are electronicallymeasured at 200-meter intervals, using IC tags attached toeach horse. These times are then released to the public.

Training Stands
rainers and others involved with horses can observe thecondition of the horses during workouts on the track fromhere. Final workouts, training held three to four days before
a race, and recording of training times are done, andmembers of the media gather information for stories fromhere.
Training Courses Profile

Indoor Heated Poolraining is conducted year-round in this circular pool, withpool and air temperatures maintained at around 25
degrees centigrade throughout the year.

Woodland Riding Trail
nature trail that weaves through the woods was createdto visually and aurally relax the horses. There are
streams for horses to walk in, waterfalls, and artificial
misting devices along the riding path.

Racehorse Hospitalcomprehensive medical facility for racehorses is operated
by approximately 40 JRA veterinarians. They are
primarily engaged in racehorse health management,
diagnosis and treatment of sick horses, prevention ofcommunicable diseases, checkups for horses scheduled to

14 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

JRA Horse Racing School
Racing Calendar

he JRA Horse racing School was established in Shiroi City, Chiba
Prefecture in 1982, with the aim of cultivating jockeys and stable staff
with the knowledge and skills needed to adapt to the change of the times.
Anyone who wants to acquire a jockey’s license and ride in JRA races must
attend the JRA Horse racing School. The current curriculum features a threeyear course for jockeys, in which the students go through the practical workin the stables, step-by-step drills in equestrian riding and practical training in
preparation for racing. The school also has a six-month course for stable
employees. The 263,000-square meter site has a 1,400-meter dirt track and isalso home to the international quarantine stables used for quarantining horses entering Japan.
Prospective students are required to pass an entrance examination for enrollment in either course. Students who wish to enroll inthe jockey course must meet the following requirements:a) Age: Must be under 20 years old when entering the school, and must have graduated from junior high school or anequivalent educational institution.
b) Weight: Must be 48.0kg (or lower, depending on age) when entering school.
c) Eyesight: Over 0.8 for both eyes (without glasses or contact lenses)d) Must have color visibility, hearing ability, and must be in good health.
e) Prospective students must not have any imprisonment records, or havebeen fined by breaking Horse racing Law or other gambling-related
laws. Also, he/she must not have any record of suspension or
termination of involvement with horse racing by law.
After completion of the course, the prospective jockeys may take thejockey’s license examination and the stable employees are eligible, with JRA
approval, to be employed by trainers licensed by JRA.

JRA Equestrian ParkRA Equestrian Park in Setagaya, Tokyo, was constructed in 1940 topromote equestrian events and for the training of prospective jockeys. It
hosted some of the equestrian events during Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games and2020 Olympic & Paralympic Games.
The park occupies an area of 185,000 square meters, including stables, anequestrian competition field, and office buildings. The park currently
undertakes a variety of promotional activities to encourage familiarity withhorses and increase understanding of horses and racing. Along with events thatafford opportunities for direct contact with horses, such as Hippophile Day,horse shows, Horse Familiarity Day, the park hosts an equestrian competition as part of its efforts to promote equestrian culture byproviding its venues for events and competition.

JRA Equine Research Institutehe Equine Research Institute (ERI) was founded in 1959 with the goal of maintaining racehorse resources, preventing
racehorse injuries to ensure smooth operation of horse racing and conducting research into developing strong horses. Its
research is not limited to active racehorses, as it has conducted successful research on breeding and training, which has been

15 |

widely applied at training centers and private training farms, as well as in breeding regions.
The ERI has two branches: Joban Branch and Tochigi Branch. The primary function of the Joban Branch is to provide
rehabilitation facility which includes balneotherapy and physiotherapy. Various forms of medical research are also conducted at
the branch. The Tochigi Branch, Epizootic Research Center was established as a research laboratory for equine infectious diseases
in June 1970. This unit is the only laboratory conducting research needed for the prevention and control of equine infectious
diseases in Japan.

JRA Yearling Training Yards
RA owns two yearling training yards – Hidaka Training and Research Center in Hokkaido and Miyazaki Yearling Training
Farm in Kyushu Island - and conducts basic training on about 80 yearlings purchased at various sales until the spring of their
2-years-old season. The information and training data obtained during this period, as well as improved methods, are passed onbroadly to breeders and training farms, and used to improve Japan’s racing industry. After the research in the basic training period,
the horses are sold in the training sales such as the JRA Breeze Up Sale, and then follow-up research is conducted on how they
perform as racehorses.

Laboratory of Racing Chemistry
his laboratory is responsible for all DNA testing of racehorses in Japan. The laboratory
and its research facilities were established in 1965 as Japan’s only testing institute forhorses, as well as the only one which provides dedicated research within that field. The
laboratory is primarily concerned with drug testing for racehorses, indispensable for ensuring
fair races. It also provides blood and DNA analysis to maintain accurate pedigrees. This
research institute was chartered as an experimental laboratory eligible for ISO/IEC 17025
accreditation in 2004.

Museumshe JRA Racing Museum opened at Tokyo Racecourse in 1991. The museum’s main
theme is horse racing, tracing the sport’s development to the present day throughexhibits on famous horses of the past. Exhibit materials cover racing not just in Japan, butalso that of other countries.
The Equine Museum of Japan was built on the site of the former Yokohama Racecourse,
the birthplace of modern horse racing in Japan, in Negishi, Yokohama, and was opened in
1977. This museum’s functions are the collection, preservation and study of a broad rangeof materials on the relationship between people and horses.

Gate J
Racing Calendar

n order to promote broader understanding of the intricacies of horse racing culture
by providing a wide range of information related to horses in casual fashion, JRA
opened the “Gate J.” in a popular business district in Tokyo. The facility features videos ofhorses and horse racing from Japan and around the world on large screens and in film
libraries, as well as gift shops and areas where visitors can pick up information about JRA.
This facility acts as a pilot shop to provide information about horse racing.

16 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

he biggest difference between racing conducted by the
JRA and Racing by Local Governments is that JRA
returns a percentage of its revenue to the national treasury,
whereas Racing by Local Governments contributes to thefinances of the individual local government. Also, themajority of race meetings by local governments is conducted
on weekdays during the day. The National Association for
Racing (NAR) oversees the 14 racing organizers throughout
the country.

ll races held by NAR are flat races on dirt surface, withthe exception of Ban-ei (Draft Horse Racing) at
Obihiro Racecourse and turf races held at Morioka
Racecourse – the only racecourse in local government racingwith a turf surface.
In 2021 there were a total of 1,258 racing days with 14,524
races held by local governments at the 15 racecourses. A
total of 146,307 horses ran, with an average of 10.1 races per
horse, in 2021.
Jump racing and harness racing, which had been run in thepast, are currently not conducted due to declining numbersof available horses and jockeys.
Number of Flat Racing Days and Flat Races

Ban-ei (Draft Horse Racing)
Ban-ei racing is a unique kind of racing that is held only in
Hokkaido by local government racing. It consists of draft
horses weighing from 800 to 1,200 kg competing by pullinga sled with a jockey and a prescribed heavy load over a 200meter dirt track that has two humps along the course.

History
The origin of draft horse racing dates back to Hokkaido’s
pioneer days, when contests of strength between horses used
to transport lumber were held for celebrations and festivals.
Dosanko (Hokkaido breds) and other plow horse breeds
native to Japan were used at the time. Belgian, Breton andPercheron lineage horses were then used after theirsubsequent introduction from Europe. Today, cross breeds
between these three varieties, called “half breeds,” or withnative breeds are predominate, while purebreds are on the
decline. The organized racing system was inaugurated by theracing authorities in 1946 and has continued to the present.

©NAR

17 |

Racing Calendar

Prize Money (purse)

ace meetings can last up to six days for racing
conducted by government-designated prefectures andmunicipalities. A total of 1,258 meetings were held in 2021
in NAR.

imilar to JRA racing, prize money is generally allocated tothe owners of the first five finishers in NAR racing.
However, there is a huge disparity between the purses
offered by different organizers. The highest purses are paidin thoroughbred races, and the largest first-place purse is¥100 million for the JBC Classic. The total prize money inRacing by Local Governments in 2021 was ¥26 billion. The
system for distributing prize money to trainers, jockeys andgrooms are similar to that of JRA racing.

NAR racing is conducted mainly on weekdays. There
are differences in the schedules of racecourses in themetropolitan areas of Kanto, Tokai, Kansai and Hokkaido,
and those of racecourses in other regions. Racecourses inmajor urban areas and Hokkaido hold their races on
weekdays in order to avoid competition with JRA. On theother hand, in regions that are largely unaffected by JRA
meetings, racing is primarily held on Saturdays andSundays, when it is easier to attract local fans.
JBC races and other racing series
Based on the model of the BC (Breeders’ Cup) in America
and created from an initiative by breeders, the first JBC(Japan Breeding Farms’ Cup) races were held at Oi
Racecourse in 2001. It consists of three races – the JBC
Classic, Sprint and Ladies’ Classic. As total prize money, theClassic offers ¥170 million, the highest amount in racing by
local governments, while the Sprint offers ¥136 million andthe Ladies’ Classic ¥102 million, an unprecedented sum for
racing by local governments.
Racing by local governments holds several different“Derby” races for three-year-olds on the local circuit. Theinterest in these Derby races were relatively low, partly
because the prize money is lower compared to that of JRA’s
Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and nationwide recognition
was low. Therefore, in order to raise awareness and interest,
the six districts which held these separate Derby races
collaborated and adjusted the racing calendar so that the
Derby races are held over a continuous 6-day period at six
different racecourses. Since 2007, this event has been turned
into “Series of Derby Week” to raise its profile and NAR has
taken measures to expand nationwide off-track sales. And in2017, this event has been renewed again to “Derby Series”
with eight races are being held at eight different NAR
racecourses over a period of three weeks.
Also, NAR also conducts a series of races for fillies andmares, named “GRANDAME-JAPAN.” The mostoutstanding fillies/mares are selected from each age groupand they compete over a period of time, vying for the top
spot – and incentive money – in their respective groups.
Another series of races in the local circuit is the “Super
Sprint Series,” which began in 2011. In this event, a numberof sprint races no more than 1,000 meters are run over a
track with only one bend.

18 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

International Relations
AR first held its international invitation race in 1978, andever since, it has been active in inviting jockeys fromoverseas to take part in their racing. The international
invitation races known as the “Ladies Cup” was held for four
consecutive years in the 1980’s, with female jockeys from
Europe, the USA, Canada and Japan competing with one
another. During the five-year period from 1989 to 1993,
NAR conducted the “International Queen Jockey Series,” inwhich Japanese female jockeys rode together with female
jockeys invited from the USA, Canada, Britain, France,
Australia and New Zealand, as part of an international
friendly among female jockeys. From 1982 to 1997, Niigata
Racecourse was the host to the “Japan-Korea Challenge Cup”
races, in which jockeys from the two nations were invited torace in each other’s racecourse.
In 1995, Oi Racecourse formed a friendly relationship with
Santa Anita Park in the USA, inviting jockeys from the
California circuit to ride in Japan. The friendly jockey series
lasted for several years. In 2013, Tokyo City Keiba (OiRacecourse) and the Korean Racing Authority initiated thefirst-ever “Japan-Korea international invitational race,”
inviting each organization’s horses to run in Oi Racecourseand Seoul Racecourse, respectively. The two-race series was
first held at Seoul Racecourse with three Japanese runners.
Since then, this international exchange races had been held
once a year at each racetrack from 2013 to 2016.
In recent years, foreign jockeys issued short-term licenses
by NAR or JRA have been increasing and they haveopportunities to ride in the exchange races between JRA and
NAR racing including the graded dirt races and other races
held at local government racecourses all over Japan.
In addition, NAR has started simulcasting its year-end
Tokyo Daishoten (G1) to overseas in 2016. The race isavailable for separate-pool wagering in Australia and New
Zealand.

NAR House Take Percentages in 2020

here are nine standard types of betting available for racing
by local governments: Win, Place, Bracket number
Quinella, Bracket number Exacta, Horse number Quinella,
Quinella Place (“Wide”), Exacta, Trio and Trifecta. As of2021, three other types of exotic betting, Pick 5, Pick 7 andTriple Exacta are available on the Internet.
2021 Betting Turnover by Racing by Local
Governments(total turnover ¥964,503,274,720)

Pick 5 &Pick 70.2%

Local
Government's
Share
1.5%

Operation Expenses
and Prize
19.8%

Type of Bets

TripleExacta1.1%

Win8.0% Place
7.0%

Quinella
Place
9.5%

Allocated winning
Bettors73.9%

As of 2021, wagers can be placed at 94 off-course betting
facilities (including 15 tracks not hosting races).
BracketQuinella
1.4%

Horse
NumberQuinella
8.0%

Trio
16.8%

NAR's share
1.4%

Off-Course Betting Facilities

BracketExacta0.4%

Trifecta
39.8%

JFCME's share
0.3%

Exacta7.8%

Telephone Betting
Racing by local governments began offering telephone
wagering in 1984. Telephone betting systems offered to fansvary according to local racing authority but are divided into
two types: ARS and Internet betting (cell phones, smart
phone or personal computers).
Similar to JRA’s figures, local government racing alsorelies heavily on off-track sales. In 2001, the ratio of ontrack/off-track sales was 50:50, but in 2021, the ratio
drastically changed to 1:99. Sales at racecourses are
decreasing year by year, but off-track sales are conversely in
an increasing trend.

Deduction Ratebout the use of proceeds from betting by local
governments, the deduction rate is set by each type of bet.
In the case of 2020, 19.8% is received by each organizer for
operating expenses and prize money. 1.5% is shares of thelocal government, and 1.4% is disbursed to NAR. The
remaining 0.3% is invested to the Japan Finance Corporation
for Municipal Enterprises (JFCME), which is a Government
sponsored corporation that provides low-interest financing tolocal governments.

ost of the active NAR licensed jockeys have completed
the jockey course at the NAR Racing Education Centerin Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture. Each year, the Center accepts
some 10 students who have passed the examinations,
ranging from 15-year-old junior high school graduates to 20years-old adults. The training period lasts two years andincludes a five-month practical training period under theguidance of a trainer with whom the candidate will become
affiliated with upon graduation. Upon completion of the twoyear course at the facility, jockeys make their debut after
passing the jockey license examination.
The 30,000-square meter Center includes a 1,100-meter dirt
track with four riding paddocks in the infield, an uphilltraining track, stable area with a capacity of 160 horses,
veterinary clinic, farriery, etc. In 2010, the international
quarantine stables were newly built for horses entering andleaving Japan.

19 |he lengths of racecourses of local governments range
from 1,000 to 1,600 meters, track width from 16 to 25
meters, and homestretches from the fourth turn to the finish
line range from 190 to 380 meters. The maximum number ofrunners range from 10 to 16 horses. The NAR racecourses
are comparatively smaller than that of JRA racecourses andbends are comparatively sharper.
All NAR racecourses have only dirt tracks, with the
exception of Morioka Racecourse which also has a turf track.
Night Racing at Oi Racecourse

OBIHIRO
Ban-ei course

MONBETSU
Dirt course
LengthHomestretch
Width

Length
200 m

Width
21 m

Right-handed
1,376m (inner)/1,600m (outer)
218m(inner)/330m(outer)
25m

KAWASAKI
Dirt course
LengthLeft-handed 1,200m

Width
25 m

Homestretch
400 m

KANAZAWA
Dirt course
LengthRight-handed 1,200m

Width
20 m

Homestretch
236m

KASAMATSU
Dirt course
LengthRight-handed 1,100m

Width
20 m

Homestretch
238m

NAGOYA
Dirt course
LengthRight-handed 1,180m

Width
30m

Homestretch
240 m

MORIOKA
Left-handed
Dirt course
Turf course

Length
1,600m
1,400m

Width
25m
25m

Homestretch
300m
300m

MIZUSAWA
Dirt course
Right-handed

Length
1,200m

Width
20m

Homestretch
230 m

SONODA
Dirt course
LengthRight-handed 1,051m

Width
20–24mHomestretch
213 m

URAWA
Dirt course
Left-handed

Length Width
Homestretch
1,200m 16.5 m–24m 220 m

HIMEJI
Dirt course
LengthRight-handed 1,200m

Width
20–25mHomestretch
230 m

FUNABASHI
Dirt course
Left-handed
Homestretch
Width

Length
1,250m(inner)/1,400m(outer)
308m
20m(inner)/25m(outer)

KOCHI
Dirt course
LengthRight-handed 1,100m

Width
22–27mHomestretch
200 m

SAGA
Dirt course
LengthRight-handed 1,100m

Width19.2–24m

Homestretch
250 m

OI
Dirt course
Right-handed
Homestretch
Width

Length
1,400m(inner)/1,600m(outer)
286m(inner)/386m(outer)
25m

20 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

hen Western-style horse racing was first introduced to1860s, most racehorses were domestic breeds, withsome imports from Shanghai and other parts of China.
During the 1870s, a few thoroughbreds were imported fromthe United States for the first time for use as breeding stock.
The breeding industry in Japan began in earnest in 1907
when, with the assistance of the Mitsubishi Conglomerate, athoroughbred stallion and 20 broodmares were imported
from the United Kingdom to stand at Koiwai Farm. With thesubsequent authorization of horse racing and the regulationof racing programs and other racing related affairs, horse
racing in Japan started to take off, and the number ofdomestically bred racehorses increased as the thoroughbred
breeding industry developed. Although the breeding industry
suffered a near fatal blow during the closing days of WorldWar II, horse racing along with society started on the longroad to recovery after the war. As racing activities surpassed
their pre-war prosperity, the number of foals bred increased
to over 10,000, an unequaled number in the history of horse
racing in Japan.
Since 1995, however, the industry has been in a gradualdecline. In 1997, the number of thoroughbred foals fell toaround 8,000, and its number in 2021 was 7,730
Bloodstock Sales in Japan are conducted by the Japan
Bloodhorse Breeders’ Association (JBBA) in cooperation
with various local breeders’ associations, and by the Japan
Racing Horse Association (JRHA) who conducts the famous
public auction, “JRHA Select Sale.”

the goals of the Japan Cup was to bring forth steady
improvement of the domestic-bred horses through theintroduction of superior stallions and broodmares fromoverseas. This program has borne fruit to a point where thewinners of G1 races in some of the world’s leading racing
nations have been produced in Japan. As a result, Japanesebred horses are increasingly drawing attention on the global
racing stage.

Breeding Regions and Number of Farms
reeding regions are located from the island of Hokkaido
up north to the island of Kyushu in the south. Traditional
breeding areas include Tokachi, Hidaka and Iburi in
Hokkaido and Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Tochigi,
Chiba, Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures throughout therest of Japan.
As of 2021, there were 785 farms with thoroughbred
broodmares stabled. The Hidaka area of Hokkaido is hometo the most at 666. If the Tokachi and Iburi areas areincluded, Hokkaido’s total comes to 717, which accounts for
91.3% of the nationwide total.
Breeding is expanding in Hokkaido, which has a cool, dry
climate and plenty of space, while the industry has been
shrinking in areas near tracks and in warm, humid Kyushu.
The emphasis in these areas has turned to training.

Stallions

Although the number of thoroughbreds has decreased, thebreeding standards - as well as their expectations for thefoals - have been getting higher every year.
The establishment of the Japan Cup in 1981 resulted in thebreeding industry setting a goal for producing faster andstronger horses that could hold their own worldwide. One ofuring 2021, there were 251 thoroughbred stallions
registered at stud in Japan. 61 of these were foreign-bredand 190 Japanese-bred. Approximately 92% of thesestallions are standing in the main Hokkaido breeding region.
The great racehorse and stallion Sunday Silence (USA),
who died in August 2002, was Japan’s leading sire for 13
consecutive years from 1995 to 2007. His influence as astallion has been passed on to his foals, and Deep Impact(JPN) by Sunday Silence has been the leading sire in Japaneach year since 2012. Of domestic stallions, those sired by
Deep Impact is the largest number with 33 stallions and21 |covered 1,989 mares in 2021. When including stallions witha Sunday Silence bloodline in the second-generation
pedigree, this number increases to 78 (and 3,976 mares)
which accounts for 33.7 % of all mares covered in 2021.
The other prominent sire line is Kingmambo (USA) and 15of those sired by King Kamehameha (JPN) by Kingmambo
covered 1,162 mares in 2021. This increases to 20 (and1,283 mares) including stallions with a Kingmambo
bloodline in the second-generation pedigree.
The top five sires, in terms of the number of mares covered,in 2021 were Le Vent Se Leve (JPN) with 223, Epiphaneia(JPN) 218, Gold Dream (JPN) 212, Saturnalia (JPN) 205,
and Kizuna (JPN) 192.
In 2019, Japanese breeding industry was struck by the
double tragedy to lose its two champion stallions, Deep
Impact and King Kamehameha. Though their influence will
surely be around for some time, much attention is paid to
who will be the next stallions to lead the industry.

Broodmares
f we look at the number of broodmares in Japan, thefigures reached a peak of about 15,287 in 1991. Thesefigures fell to 12,000 and remained around that level until
2003. The numbers began to gradually decrease from thatpoint up until 2014, when the actual number of broodmares
reached 9,253, and slightly increased since then to 10,326 in
2021.

Foals
apan bred fewer than 1,000 thoroughbreds a year throughthe 1940s and 50s. However, as the economy grew rapidly
and horse racing developed, the number rose steadily toreach 10,188 foals during 1992.
An annual level in the upper 8,000s for foal crop had been
maintained since 1997, but a declining trend began in 2003
and, 7,730 thoroughbred foals were registered in 2021. Thisis approximately the same number of foals as that of the late1970s. This is a result of shifting from quantity to quality, as
well as the steep decline in the demand for thoroughbreds
caused by the closure of a number of Racing by Local
Governments racecourses.

Le Vent Se Leve ©M.Ueda

Epiphaneia ©M.Ueda

Kizuna ©M.Ueda

Bricks and Mortar ©M.Ueda

22 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

apan has many festivals that feature horses. Horse racingorganizations carefully preserve these forms of culture
related to horses and undertake assistance in various forms toensure that this heritage continues. A few examples follow
below.

Yabusame Shinto Ceremony(Japanese Archery on Horseback)his Shinto ceremony is very gallant with a tradition ofover 800 years. Wearing samurai hunting uniforms of the
Kamakura era, archers mount horses and, galloping swiftlyon horseback, release arrows from their bows to hit threetargets in a row. When this is achieved, they receive loudapplause from the many attending fans.
Yabusame is well known inforeign countries, as many
foreign tourists can be seenamong the audience. This
Shinto ceremony is held
twice a year on the spring equinox and autumn equinox toappease the spirits of their ancestors.

Soma Nomaoi(Soma Wild-Horse Roundup)
ating back over a millennium, the Soma wild horseroundup originated as a form of military training in which
horses were used as a new military force. They were released
in a pasture and wererounded-up by soldiers. The
horses were then presented
at a shrine as part of thefestival rites. Succeeding©HADA
generations of Soma clan
leaders continued this rite dating from 1323 to the Meiji
Restoration.
Held every July, the Soma Nomaoi festival was designatedan important national intangible folk culture treasure in 1978.

Dakyu (Horseback Lacrosse)
egun by the Mizuno lords of the ancient Yamagata fief,
this richly traditional horseback lacrosse is part of the
Horetsu Shrine’s annual festival events in Yamagata
Prefecture.

Groups of five or six riders are divided into red and whiteteams and try to put balls called“agedama,” which are marked
with the Chinese character for
ten, into the goal. This is a twoteam, horseback contest inwhich the red team attempts to
scoop up red balls using nets mounted on poles and put themthrough the goal’s round opening while the white team does
the same with white balls. A bell is rung to announce goals
made by the white team. Inversely, a drum is beat when goals
are made by the red team. The Imperial Household Agency,
Yamagata Prefecture’s Horetsu Shrine, and Hachinohe,
Aomori Prefecture, still carry on this tradition today.

Horohikit is said that Heian-era warriors used pennants on thebattlefield as protection against arrows. The Imperial
Household Agency’s equestrian division carries on thistraditional cultural event.
Horohiki is performed by two riders mounted on Yamato
era saddles, each with a 10-meter-long pennant secured to
his/her back.
The horses’ gait quickens
from a walk to a trot andthen to a gallop. Their legs
move in unison (i.e., thesame legs moving at thesame time). The two riders release the long pennants a little,
until they are fully deployed. A green and white pennant
symbolizes the spring season, while a red and white pennant
symbolizes the fall.

Thoroughbred life after retirementn 1973, the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders’ Association(JBBA) established a welfare program that enables
champion horses to live out the final years of their lives inease after completing stud/broodmare service following thecompletion of an active career. The Bloodhorse Training
Center also started a subsidy program from 1996 to placefamous retired horses at privately owned farms for public
viewing and Japan Association for International Racing andStud Book (JAIRS) took over the duty from 2013.

23 |Asian Racing Federation
apan’s advocacy led to the inauguration of the Asian
Racing Conference (ARC), whose objectives are thepromotion of horse racing, goodwill and mutual
understanding among Asian nations based on exchanges
among members. Later, the name was changed to the Asian
Racing Federation (ARF) with ARC designating theconferences only.
The first conference took place in Japan in May 1960, andthe 8th, the 18th and the 32nd conferences were also held inTokyo in 1969, 1985 and 2008 respectively.
There are now 21 full member countries, one associate
member country and five affiliate member countries
belonging to the primary racing association in Asia.
In 2014, Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Hong Kong
Jockey Club CEO was elected as the Chairman, with
Australiana and Japan as the co-vice chairman. Hong Kongis also concurrently undertaking the responsibilities ofsecretariat.
The Executive Council consists of nominees from Japan,
Hong Kong, Australia, India and New Zealand, Singapore,
South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The Executive
Council meets approximately four times a year.
The 38th ARC was held in February 2020 in Cape Town,
South Africa and the 39th ARC is scheduled to be held in
February 2023 in Melbourne, Australia.

day preceding the 1995 Asian Racing Conference (ARC),
which was held in India. And it was agreed that India andJapan will co-chair the subsequent conferences and Japan
assumes the responsibilities of the secretariat.
Only the Indian and Japanese stud books wereinternationally approved by the International Stud Book
Committee (ISBC) from among the participating countries at
the time of the first meeting in 1995. Today, there are 15
Asian and Oceanian countries with stud books that havebeen approved by ISBC.
The 15th AOSBC was held in February 2020 in Cape Town,
South Africa, and the 16th AOSBC is scheduled in February
2023 in Melbourne, Australia.

International Federation ofHorse racing Authorities (IFHA)
Asian & OceanianStud Book Committee (AOSBC)n 1993, Japan proposed to India the establishment of the
Asian Stud Book Conference (ASBC), the current Asian& Oceanian Stud Book Committee (AOSBC). The first
conference was then held jointly by Japan and India on the

24 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

apan has attended meetings of the International Federation ofHorse racing Authorities’ global racing conference annually
since 1973. This international conference is held once a year
in Paris in conjunction with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Japan has since been named to the executive council of thefederation’s leadership committee, as a member representing
Asia. As the standard of horse racing in Japan has risen, thecountry’s responsibilities in the worldwide racing society
have become heavier.

References

1862 Foreign residents of Yokohama hold the first
Western-style horse races in Japan.

1945 World War II ends.

1882 First Western-style races are held by Japaneseorganizers.

1946 Horseracing in Tokyo and Kyoto is re-started.
The regional Horse Racing Law is enacted. The
organization of races is restricted to the Federation ofHorse Associations and its national body, the Japan
Equine Society, which is disbanded soon afterwards.

1888 Horse race betting tickets are sold for the firsttime.
1895 14 horses are imported from Australia.
1905 Implicit government approval is given for horse
racing and betting to encourage horse breeding.
1906 The Tokyo Racing Society Inc. holds the firstmodern race meeting at Ikegami Racecourse.
Corruption flourishes as a result of the unchecked
proliferation of similar organizations and racecourses.
1908 The sale of betting tickets for horse races is
prohibited by the enactment of a new penal code that
institutes sweeping bans on various forms of gambling.
However, in a move to ensure the viability of horse
racing and to improve breeding stocks, the government
introduces a series of subsidies for racing.
1910 Local horse and cattle breeding associations(later stockbreeders’ associations) gain permission to
conduct regional racing under a revamped regulatory
system. Betting, however, remains prohibited.
1923 The Horse Racing Law is enacted, giving rise to
the establishment of 11 horse racing clubs that are
permitted to organize races and sell betting tickets.
Regional racing, however, does not come under thejurisdiction of the Horse Racing Law.
1927 Regional racing regulations are enacted, underwhich stockbreeders’ associations and national
federations are permitted to hold horse races, sell
admission tickets with a bonus betting ticket andaward prizes, rather than cash, to the winning ticket
holders.

1948 The Japan Racing Society is dissolved, and a
new Horse Racing Law is enacted. The government
takes over the assets of the former Japan Racing
Society and administers horse racing under a national
structure. However, Local government bodies, such asprefectures and designated municipalities, arepermitted to organize local racing.
1954 JRA is organized to operate National Racing by
the enactment of the Japan Racing Association Law.
1958 Hakuchikara races in the U.S.A., becoming thefirst Japanese horse to compete abroad.
1959 Hakuchikara wins the Washington Birthday
Handicap Stakes.
1960 The first Asian Racing Conference is held inTokyo.
1962 The NAR is established to implement anationally coordinated framework for registration andlicensing for Racing by Local Governments.
1971 Import restrictions on racehorses are eased.
1973 The first JRA representative attends theInternational Conference of Racing Authorities in Paris.
1974 JRA joins the International Agreement on
Breeding and Racing.
1976 Telephone betting is introduced.
1979 Japan becomes Asia’s representative member on
the first International Stud Book Committee.

1932 The first Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) is held.
1981 The first Japan Cup is held.
1936 The Japan Racing Society, a semi-governmental
public enterprise, is established under amendments to
the Horse Racing Law. Racing begins to flourish under
government supervision.
1939 The Law to Conserve Military Equine Resources
is enacted. Racing of military parade horses ispermitted, as is the sale of winning horse tickets, theequivalent of pari-mutuel tickets.

1987 The World Super Jockeys Series is launched.
1992 The first Young Jockeys World Championship isheld. JRA opens its first overseas representative officein London.
1994 Lisa Cropp of New Zealand becomes the firstoverseas jockey to receive a short-term riding license
in Japan.

1941 St. Lite becomes the first Triple Crown winner.
1943 Horse racing is suspended due to intensifying
hostilities in World War II.

1995 The first Asian Stud Book Conference, organizedby India and Japan, is held in Hyderabad, India; Japanis selected as the permanent secretariat country.

25 |References
1996 JRA’s first female jockeys begin their riding
careers.
1997 The number of JRA Personal Access Terminal(PAT) subscribers surpasses 500,000.
A joint JRA/local graded dirt race system is introduced.
1998 Japanese horses win G1 races in France; Seeking
the Pearl claims the Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1), andTaiki Shuttle triumphs in the Prix Jacques le Marois(G1).
1999 El Condor Pasa wins the Grand Prix de SaintCloud (G1) and Agnes World wins the Prix del’Abbaye de Longchamp (G1).
2000 Agnes World becomes the first Japan-trained
horse to win a UK G1 race, the Darley July Cup.
T. M. Opera O maintains an undefeated record during
the year with five G1 wins.
2001 Two foreign-bred horses run in the Japanese
Derby for the first time.
Stay Gold, Eishin Preston and Agnes Digital haverespective G1 victories in the Hong Kong Vase, Hong
Kong Mile and Hong Kong Cup.
2002 Eishin Preston wins HK’s Audemars Piguet
Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1).
Sire Sunday Silence (16) dies of debilitation leading toheart failure at Shadai Stallion Station.
New Zealand jockey Rochelle Lockett wins the
Nakayama Daishogai, the first JRA graded race victoryin Japan by a woman.
2003 Eishin Preston wins HK’s QE II Cup for thesecond consecutive year.
Still in Love achieves the second Filly Triple Crown
for the first time in 17 years.
2004 JRA introduces trifecta as a new type of betting
ticket.
2005 Cesario captures the American Oaks (G1) andbecomes the first horse to win both the American andJapanese Oaks.
Deep Impact becomes the sixth colt in history to win
the Triple Crown.
Their Imperial Highnesses, The Emperor and Empress
visit Tokyo Racecourse.
2006 Heart’s Cry wins the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1).
Cosmo Bulk wins the Singapore Airlines International
Cup (G1), the first overseas win for a NAR registered
racehorse.
Japan-trained Delta Blues and Pop Rock finish onetwo in the Melbourne Cup (G1).
The International Cataloguing Standards Committee
promotes Japan to a Part 1 nation in 2007.
2007 Admire Moon wins the Dubai Duty Free (G1).
Shadow Gate and Cosmo Bulk finish one-two in the
SAIC.

26 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

2008 The 32nd ARC is held in Tokyo.
2010 Apapane becomes the third filly in history tocapture the Filly’s Triple Crown.
2011 Victoire Pisa wins the Dubai World Cup (G1).
Orfevre becomes the seventh colt in history to capture
the Triple Crown.
2012 Gentildonna becomes the fourth filly in history tocapture Filly Triple Crown.
Rulership wins the HK’s QEII Cup. Lord Kanaloa
wins the Hong Kong Sprint (G1).
2013 Lord Kanaloa wins the HK Sprint for the second
consecutive year.
2014 Just a Way and Gentildonna win the Dubai Duty
Free and Dubai Sheema Classic, respectively. Just aWay, which wins the Duty Free by 6 1/4 lengths,
becomes the first ever Japan-based horse to claim thesole No. 1 position in the Longine's World's Best
Racehorse Rankings.
Hana's Goal wins All Aged Stakes (G1). Admire Raktiscore a win in the Caulfield Cup (G1).
2015 Two world-class riders, Italian Mirco Demuro
and Frenchman Christophe Lemaire are granted fullterm jockey licenses by JRA.
Real Impact wins the George Ryder Stakes (G1).
Maurice and A Shin Hikari capture the HK Mile andCup respectively.
2016 JRA commences its first simulcasting foroverseas races.
Real Steel wins the Dubai Turf (G1).
Japanese horses win top races in France; A Shin Hikari
claims the Prix d'Ispahan (G1), and Makahiki triumphs
in the Prix Niel (G2).
Maurice wins the HK Champions Mile (G1) in April
and the HK Cup in December. Satono Crown also
wins HK Vase.
2017 Vivlos wins the Dubai Turf.
Neorealism wins the HK’s QEII Cup.
JRA Jockey Yutaka Take receives the 2017 Longines
and IFHA International Award of Merit for the firsttime as a Japanese.
2018 Almond Eye becomes the fifth filly in history tocapture Filly Triple Crown and wins the Japan Cup inrecord time.
JRA Jockey Yutaka Take celebrates his 4,000th career
win on JRA horse.
NAR Jockey Fumio Matoba breaks the NAR record
for career wins when claiming 7,152nd victory.
2019 Jockey Christophe Lemaire becomes the JRA's
leading jockey for the third consecutive year.
Seven Japanese horses triumph in eight G1 races
abroad including Almond Eye’s win in the Dubai Turf
(G1) and Deirdre’s win in Nassau Stakes (G1).

References
Japan’s two champion sires, Deep Impact (17) andKing Kamehameha (18) die at Shadai Stallion Station
and Japan Cup is named as the Deep Impact Memorial
in honor of late champion.
JRA’s only female jockey Nanako Fujita wins Women
Jockeys' World Cup at Bro Park in Stockholm, Sweden.
2020 JRA & NAR race meetings are held without
spectators, due to the influence of COVID-19.
Both colt and filly capture the respective Triple Crown
title in the same year for the first time in JRA history Contrail becomes only the third undefeated Triple
Crown winner, while Daring Tact becomes the firstever undefeated Filly Triple Crown winner as well.
Almond Eye retires with a record-breaking ninth G1
win in the Japan Cup and her total earnings reaches
over ¥1.9 billion, a record high in JRA history.
Danon Smash and Normcore wins the HK Sprint (G1)and HK Cup (G1), respectively.
2021 Japan-trained horses win in the Breeders’ Cupmeeting for the first time in history – Loves Only You
wins the Filly & Mare Turf (G1), while Marche
Lorraine wins the Distaff (G1), respectively. Loves
Only You receives the Eclipse Award for Champion
Female Turf Horse.
Glory Vase and Loves Only You wins the HK Vase
(G1) and HK Cup, respectively.
JRA’s betting turnover reaches ¥3 trillion for the firsttime since 2003.

Loves Only You

Marche Lorraine

Glory Vase

27 |

References*The National Association of Racing

JRA Racing

BreederJRA・Horse racing operation

Registration

・Pari-mutuel betting

Sale/Purchaseof racehorses

Ownerssystem operation
Supervision/
Guidance

・Management ofTraining contracts

racecourses and other

Licensingfacilities

Trainers
Employment
Riding contracts

Licensing

Jockeys
Employment

Approval

Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries

Assistant
Trainers

Approval

GroomsRacing by Local Governments

Breeder
Sale/Purchaseof racehorses

Supervision/
Guidance

Registration

NAR*

OwnersTraining contracts

Licensing・Horse racing operation
・Pari-mutuel betting
system operation
・Management of
racecourses and otherfacilities

Employment
Riding contracts

Specialist
Advisors

Local Government
BodiesTrainers

Licensing

Jockeys
Employment

Licensing

Assistant
Trainers

Approval

Grooms28 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

References

Birth

Breeding

Retirement

Sales

StableRacing29 |References

Birth

RacingRetirement

Number of Births 7,733
Thoroughbred: 7,730
Anglo-Arab: 3
Breeders (as of December 31, 2021)
1,008
Hokkaido: 824 (81.7%)
Other regions: 184 (18.3%)

Horse Racing Community Figures
JRA (as of January 1, 2022)
Owners: 2,672[Private: 2,275][Corporate: 343]
[Syndicate: 54]
Trainers: 197
Assistant trainers: 1,710
Grooms: 619
Jockeys: 139
NAR
Owners: 4,994
Trainers: 456
Assistant trainers: 51
Grooms: 2,443
Jockeys: 291
JRA
Registered horses (monthly average): 8,677
Horses in stables (monthly average): 3,495
Number of stalls: 3,864[Miho Training Center: 1,942][Ritto Training Center: 1,922]
Race days: 288
Number of races: 3,456[2yo: 648]
[3yo and up: 2,681][Jump: 127]
Actual number of runners: 11,557
Total number of runners: 47,660
Average races run per horse: 4.1
Average runners per race: 13.8
NAR
Registered horses: 14,553
Thoroughbred: 13,603
Ban-ei: 950
Race days: 1,258
Number of races: 14,524
Thoroughbred (flat race): 12,765
Ban-ei: 1,759
Actual number of runners: 15,189
Total number of runners: 146,307
Average races run per horse: 10.1
Average runners per race: 9.7

Retired from Racing

Sales
Form of Transaction(estimates for thoroughbreds)
Private sales: 1,809
Not sold: 277
Sold in foal: 387
Public sales: 1,146
JRA-purchased horses: 69
Membership corporations: 829
Other: 822
Total: 5,339

StableRacehorse Registration
JRA
Thoroughbred: 5,339[310 from NAR]
NAR
Thoroughbred: 5,393[3,402 from JRA]30 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

JRA
Breeding: 718[Stallions: 21] [Mares: 697]
To NAR: 3,496
Died: 130
Riding horses: 840
Others: 119
Total: 5,303
NAR
Breeding: 653[Stallions: 40] [Mares: 613]
To JRA: 384
Died: 752
Riding horses: 1,668
Cancellation of registration(due to not running a horse for adesignated period of time): 1,634
Others: 63
Total: 5,154

Breeding
Broodmares(thoroughbred): 10,326
Stallions(thoroughbred): 251[Domestic: 190]
[Imported: 61]

References

TOKACHI

CLOSE-UP OF KANSAI REGION
IBURI■ Sapporo
Monbetsu■■ Obihiro

JRA Hidaka Training
and Research Center■ Hakodate
HIDAKAJRA Ritto
Training Center

Hanshin ■■ Sonoda■ Morioka■ Mizusawa■ Kyoto■ Niigata■ Fukushima■ Kanazawa

NAR Jockey
Training Institute
JRA Equine ResearchInstitute – Sports Science Research Center■ Kasamatsu
Himeji ■■ Nagoya■ Chukyo

CLOSE-UP OF KANTO REGION■ Kokura■ Kochi

Saga ■JRA Miyazaki Yearling
Training Farm

KAGOSHIMAMIYAZAKI

Nakayama
JRA Equestrian Park

Urawa ■JRA Miho
Training Center
JRA Horse Racing■ School■ Funabashi

Tokyo ■Oi ■JRA Main Office

Kawasaki ■ NAR Office■ Major breeding region■ JRA racecourses■ Local government racecourses

31 |References

RACES
Number of JRA Races
Unit: Races

Year

Racing days

2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

288
288
288
288
288
288
288
288
288
288

Races
Jump
133
130
125
128
128
126
126
127
125
127

Flat
3,321
3,324
3,326
3,326
3,326
3,329
3,328
3,325
3,331
3,329

Total
3,454
3,454
3,451
3,454
3,454
3,455
3,454
3,452
3,456
3,456

Number of NAR Races
Unit: Races

Year

Racing days

2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

1,374
1,300
1,287
1,287
1,286
1,297
1,277
1,280
1,298
1,258

32 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

Races
Thoroughbred
13,396
12,66812,486
12,723
12,892
13,07813,044
13,11913,212
12,765

Anglo-Arab
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Ban-ei
1,842
1,685
1,685
1,672
1,639
1,672
1,633
1,660
1,722
1,759

Total
15,23814,353
14,171
14,395
14,531
14,75014,677
14,77914,934
14,524References
JRA Racing: Actual and Overall Runners
Unit: Races

Thoroughbred Flat

Year
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

ActualOverall

10,837
10,834
10,803
10,891
10,93911,031
11,167
11,292
11,431
11,31648,097
48,29348,56048,24048,33147,58546,86945,777
46,564
46,168

Thoroughbred Jump
ActualOverall

552 (307)533 (292)
507 (292)
509 (274)505 (269)
497 (263)
502(282)504(250)492(231)485(244)

1,682
1,608
1,584
1,582
1,579
1,563
1,564
1,568
1,563
1,492

Note: Runners reflected in parenthesis in the figures for jump races are for runners that have also run in flat races.

NAR Racing: Actual and Overall Runners
Unit: RacesYear

Thoroughbred
ActualOverall

2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

12,67012,452
12,022
11,761
11,731
12,011
12,693
13,303
13,794
14,288133,345
129,193
125,595
125,231
126,817
128,706
129,730
133,058
134,050130,177

Anglo-Arab
OverallActualOverall

6
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

778
783
688
671
701
684
740
777
853
901

16,362
14,56014,587
14,64814,09914,61014,56615,007
15,72916,130

Actual

78
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Ban-ei33 |References
JRA Racing: Statistics of Foreign-Bred Thoroughbreds

Year
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

Number of JRA Registered thoroughbreds
Total
Foreign bred
%
7,925
299
3.77%
7,869
252
3.20%
7,765
248
3.19%
7,789
274
3.52%
8,262
267
3.23%
8,428
237
2.81%
8,597
253
2.94%
8,803
309
3.51%
8,911
294
3.30%
8,890
264
2.97%

Number of thoroughbred Races
Total
Mixed Races%
3,454(134)
1,980(134)57.3(100.0)%
3,454(134)
1,980(134)57.3(100.0)%
3,451(136)
1,977(136)57.3(100.0)%
3,454(136)
1,980(136)57.3(100.0)%
3,454(138)
1,980(138)57.3(100.0)%
3,455(138)
1,980(138)57.3(100.0)%
3,454(141)1,980(141)57.3(100.0%)
3,452(139)
1,999(139)57.9(100.0%)
3,456(139)2,023(139)58.5(100.0%)
3,456(139)2,027(139)58.7(100.0%)

Notes: 1. Mixed races are open to foreign thoroughbreds that have not been raced abroad.
2. Numbers in parentheses refer to the number of graded races.

JRA Racing : Prize Money per Race and Runner in 2021

Number of Races
Number of actual runners
Number of overall runners
Added money (¥)
Total prize money (¥)
Prize money per race (¥)
Prize money per runner (¥)
Prize money per runner (¥)

A
B
C
D
D/A
D/B
D/C

2 y.o. Flat

3 y.o. and up Flat

Jump

Total

648
3,293
8,378
8,739,750,000
15,475,759,500
23,882,345
4,699,593
1,847,190

2,681
8,023
37,79060,379,210,000
90,350,028,750
33,700,123
11,261,377
2,390,845

127
485 (244)
1,492
2,909,950,000
3,872,669,500
30,493,461
7,984,886
2,595,623

3,456
11,55747,66072,028,910,000
109,698,457,750
31,741,452
9,491,949
2,301,688

Notes: 1. Total prize money includes added and stakes money, and additional allowances.
2. Runners reflected in parenthesis in the figures for jump races are for runners that have also run in flat races.

JRA and NAR Prize Money
Unit: ¥ million

Year

JRA
"Thoroughbred
Added Money"

2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

64,925.4
65,478.7
66,460.0
67,685.4
68,812.8
69,652.1
70,242.8
70,486.6
71,667.5
72,028.9

NAR
Thoroughbred

34 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

14,617.5
14,453.3
14,435.9
14,706.0
16,056.2
18,218.9
19,119.4
20,894.8
22,500.2
25,104.7

Anglo-Arab

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Ban-ei

Total

208.3
182.1
182.4
231.0
285.6
321.2
382.8
446.6
568.6
857.0

14,825.9
14,635.4
14,618.4
14,937.1
16,341.9
18,540.1
19,502.1
21,341.4
23,068.9
25,961.7

References
BETTING
JRA Racing : Total Betting Turnover and Attendance
Unit: ¥ million

Year

Total

on-course betting"off-course
betting(including
telephonebetting)"

Ratio (on:off)"Racecourse
Attendance"

2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

2,394,308.85
2,404,933.51
2,493,627.72
2,583,391.86
2,670,880.26
2,747,662.48
2,795,008.30
2,881,788.66
2,983,455.87
3,091,112.03

96,592.14
94,373.23
92,261.53
91,162.17
88,000.85
85,513.65
83,991.38
81,159.37
15,542.95
11,371.20

2,297,716.70
2,310,560.27
2,401,366.19
2,492,229.69
2,582,879.40
2,662,148.82
2,711,016.92
2,800,629.29
2,967,912.92
3,079,740.83

4:96
3.9:96.1
3.7:96.3
3.5:96.5
3.3:96.7
3.1:96.9
3:97
2.8:97.2
0.5:99.5
0.4:99.6

6,190,296
6,092,403
6,142,471
6,317,073
6,300,662
6,175,238
6,266,912
6,236,197
990,097
722,670(¥billions)(millions)

Note: Racecourse attendance is restricted due to COVID-19 in 2020 & 2021.

NAR Total Betting Turnover and Attendance(¥billions)(millions)

Racing days, Turnover and Attendance by Types of Racing 2021
Type of racing
JRA
NAR
Bicycle Racing
Motorcycle Racing
Motorboat Racing
Grand Total

Racing days
288
1,258
2,467
611
4,584
9,208

Turnover3,091,112,025,800
964,503,274,720
919,975,320,300
102,097,920,400
2,330,187,823,700
7,407,876,364,920

Share (%)
41.7%
13.0%
12.4%
1.4%
31.5%
100.00%Attendance
722,670
1,211,451
1,304,049
691,606
5,734,392
9,664,168

Notes: 1. Total comprises the period from January 1 to December 31 for all types of racing.
2. Attendance figures for motorboat racing includes patrons utilizing off-course and telephone betting facilities.

35 |References
Numbers of Thoroughbred Stallions, Mares Covered and Foals
Unit: Head

Year
2012

Stallions230

Thoroughbred mares covered
9,334

Thoroughbred Foals
6,828

2013
2014
2015

223
223
218

9,301
9,253
9,371

6,836
6,888
6,846

2016

227

9,483

6,902

2017

242

9,633

7,080

2018

230

9,870

7,244

2019

241

9,999

7,387

2020

263

10,224

7,551

2021

251

10,326

7,730

Imports of Foreign-Bred Thoroughbred
Unit: Head

Year

Total

Stallions

2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

212
206
243
239
247
237
303
304
259
302

5
5
4
3
2
1
3
8
6
6

Broodmares
Total
76
95
111
102
98
106
111
123
124
153

36 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

Broodmares
Pregnant
39
40
89
34
35
49
51
72
72
107

Broodmares
Not Pregnant
37
55
22
68
63
57
60
51
52
46

Racehorses
Total
131
106
128
134
147
130
189
173
129
143

C and HF and M

84
70
79
78
79
80
126
109
75
76

47
36
49
56
68
50
63
64
54
67

References
Imported Thoroughbred Stallions by Number and Origin
Unit: Head

Year
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

Total
5
5
4
3
2
1
3
8
6
6

Great Britain
1
1
1
1
1

Ireland1
2
1
1
1

France1-

United States
3
3
3
2
2
3
6
4
4

Other
1
-

Thoroughbred Yearling Sales
Unit: ¥ thousand

Year

Lots

Number of soldTotal amountHighestLowestAverage

2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

2,537
2,370
2,395
2,439
2,472
2,407
2,588
2,648
2,672
2,807

1,363
1,401
1,526
1,660
1,706
1,896
1,897
1,990
2,092
2,171

10,843,528
11,951,940
12,743,503
15,110,182
17,065,404
19,778,904
20,609,640
22,368,026
24,369,455
26,843,960

262,500
189,000
280,800
253,800
280,800
291,600
270,000
388,800
561,000
330,000

315
315
216
216
324
216
432
324
550
440

7,331
8,531
8,350
9,102
10,003
10,431
10,864
11,24011,64912,365(¥thousand)

37 |References
Leading Sires by Money Earned (2021)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Deep Impact (JPN)
Lord Kanaloa (JPN)Heart's Cry (JPN)
Kizuna (JPN)King Kamehameha (JPN)
Rulership (JPN)
Orfevre (JPN)
Epiphaneia (JPN)
Henny Hughes (USA)Daiwa Major (JPN)
Duramente (JPN)
Kinshasa no Kiseki (AUS)
Pyro (USA)Sinister Minister (USA)South Vigorous (USA)
Maurice (JPN)
Screen Hero (JPN)
Kurofune (USA)Just a Way (JPN)
Harbinger (GB)Year of
birth

Sire

Dam

2002
2008
2001
2010
2001
2007
2008
2010
2003
2001
2012
2003
2005
2003
1996
2011
2004
1998
2009
2006

Sunday Silence
King Kamehameha
Sunday Silence
Deep Impact
Kingmambo
King Kamehameha
Stay Gold
Symboli Kris S
Hennessy
Sunday Silence
King Kamehameha
Fuji Kiseki
PulpitOld Trieste
End Sweep
Screen Hero
Grass Wonder
French Deputy
Heart's Cry
DansiliWind In Her Hair
Lady Blossom
Irish Dance
Catequil
ManfathAir Groove
Oriental Art
Cesario
Meadow Flyer
Scarlet Bouquet
Admire Groove
Keltshaan
Wild Vision
Sweet Minister
Darkest Star
Mejiro Frances
Running Heroine
Blue Avenue
Sibyl
Penang Pearl

Runners Winners

Wins

Earnings(￥)

205
247
175
155
134
195
153
124
165
140
113
147
162
174
178
97
99
120
101
92

310
389
269
237
230
295
279
176
275
224
170
255
299
333
341
134
169
220
173
126

6,978,499,500
4,019,655,000
3,028,025,500
2,846,034,000
2,760,863,000
2,622,611,000
2,603,510,000
2,533,618,500
2,236,012,000
1,960,152,000
1,613,982,000
1,610,165,500
1,574,186,000
1,556,428,000
1,544,781,000
1,499,883,000
1,449,454,500
1,247,396,000
1,230,896,500
1,134,135,500

Runners Winners

Wins

Earning(￥)

511
548
424
314
301
468
364
328
339
352
285
334
336
311
319
242
233
254
259
306

Leading Sires of 2-y-os (Leading Juvenile Sires by Money Earned in 2021)
Stallion

Year ofbirth

1

Deep Impact (JPN)

2002

Sunday SilenceWind In Her Hair

68

31

39

479,698,000

2

Epiphaneia (JPN)2010

Symboli Kris S

Cesario

99

24

27

402,000,000

3

Duramente (JPN)2012

King Kamehameha

Admire Groove

124

30

31

391,317,000

4Lord Kanaloa (JPN)2008

King Kamehameha

Lady Blossom

109

23

28

378,197,000

5Drefong (USA)2013

Gio Ponti

Eltimaas

92

31

33

367,870,000

6Henny Hughes (USA)2003

Hennessy

Meadow Flyer

74

30

38

298,257,000

7Daiwa Major (JPN)

2001

Sunday Silence

Scarlet Bouquet

61

15

18

295,265,000

8Heart's Cry (JPN)

2001

Sunday Silence

Irish Dance

66

12

16

292,487,000

9Silver State (JPN)2013

Deep Impact

Silverskaya

77

22

32

279,991,000

10Sinister Minister (USA)2003

Old Trieste

Sweet Minister

68

30

39

271,303,000

Wins

Earnings(¥)

552
326
458
365
529
501
356
313
262
343

4,052,399,000
3,386,301,500
3,022,472,000
2,885,985,500
2,842,012,500
2,711,428,000
2,245,324,000
2,071,072,500
1,983,749,500
1,886,452,000

Sire

Dam

Leading Broodmare Sires by Money Earned in 2021
Stallion
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

King Kamehameha (JPN)
Deep Impact (JPN)
Kurofune (USA)
Symboli Kris S (USA)
Sunday Silence (USA)Agnes Tachyon (JPN)
French Deputy (USA)Special Week (JPN)
Manhattan Cafe (JPN)
Dance in the Dark (JPN)

Year of
birth

2001
2002
1998
1999
1986
1998
1992
1995
1998
1993

38 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

Sire
Kingmambo
Sunday Silence
French Deputy
Kris S.
Halo
Sunday Silence
Deputy Minister
Sunday Silence
Sunday Silence
Sunday Silence

Dam
ManfathWind In Her Hair
Blue Avenue
Tee Kay
Wishing Well
Agnes Flora
Mitterand
Campaign Girl
Subtle Change
Dancing Key

Runners Winners
759
549
656
519
706
689
455
434
391
482

327
211
290
229
297
299
207
185
170
194

References
Main Achievements of Japan Trained Horses Abroad (GI Races)
Name

Date of Birth(M/D/Y)

Sire

Dam

ResultSeeking the Pearl (USA)

4/16/94 Seeking the Gold (USA)Page Proof (USA)Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1, France) Win

Taiki Shuttle (USA)

3/23/94 Devil’s Bag (USA)Welsh Muffin (GB)Prix Jacques le Marois (G1, France) Win

El Condor Pasa (USA)

3/17/95 Kingmambo (USA)

Saddlers Gal (IRE)Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1, France) Win
Prix d'Ispahan (G1, France) Second
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1, France) Second

Agnes World (USA)4/28/95 Danzig (USA)

Mysteries (USA)Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (G1, France) Win

2000 Agnes World (USA)4/28/95 Danzig (USA)

Mysteries (USA)July Cup (G1, GB) Win

To the Victory

2/22/96 Sunday Silence (USA)

Fairy Doll (USA)

Dubai World Cup (G1, UAE) Second

Stay Gold

3/24/94 Sunday Silence (USA)Golden Sash

Hong Kong Vase (G1, HK) Win

Eishin Preston (USA)4/9/97Warranty Applied (USA) Hong Kong Mile (G1, HK) Win

Agnes Digital (USA)5/15/97 Crafty Prospector (USA) Chancey Squaw (USA)Eishin Preston (USA)4/9/97

1998

1999

2001
Green Dancer (USA)Green Dancer (USA)

Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Win

Warranty Applied (USA) Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Win

5/15/97 Crafty Prospector (USA) Chancey Squaw (USA)Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Second
One-Two finish for Japan-trained horses

Air Thule3/10/97 Tony Bin (IRE)Ski Paradise (USA)Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1, France) Second

Eishin Preston (USA)4/9/97

Green Dancer (USA)

Warranty Applied (USA) Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Win

Lohengrin

6/8/99Singspiel (IRE)

Carling (FR)Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1, France) Second

4/10/01 Sunday Silence (USA)Dancing Key (USA)American Oaks (G1, USA) Second

Cesario3/31/02 Special Week

Kirov Premiere (GB)American Oaks (G1, USA) Win

Zenno Rob Roy

3/27/00 Sunday Silence (USA)Roamin Rachel (USA)International Stakes (G1, GB) Second

3/21/00 Soccer Boy

Sunday I.

Caulfield Cup (G1, Australia) Second

Six Sense

3/5/02Daneskaya (GB)Hong Kong Vase (G1, HK) Second

Hat Trick

4/26/01 Sunday Silence (USA)

Tricky Code (USA)

Hong Kong Mile (G1, HK) Win

Heart’s Cry

4/15/01 Sunday Silence (USA)

Irish Dance

Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, UAE) Win

Cosmo Bulk

2/10/01 Zagreb (USA)Iseno Tosho

International Cup (G1, Singapore) Win

Asahi Rising

2/9/03

Royal Touch

Asahi Mercury

American Oaks (G1, USA) Second

Delta Blues

5/3/01Dance in the Dark

Dixie Splash (USA)

Melbourne Cup (G1, Australia) Win

Pop Rock

3/19/01 Helissio (FR)Pops

Melbourne Cup (G1, Australia) Second
One-two finish for Japan-trained horses

Admire Moon

2/23/03 End Sweep (USA)My Katies

Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Second

Admire Moon

2/23/03 End Sweep (USA)My Katies

Dubai Duty Free (G1, UAE) Win

2007 Shadow Gate

3/23/02 White Muzzle (GB)Fabulous Turn

International Cup (G1, Singapore) Win

2/10/01 Zagreb (USA)Iseno Tosho

International Cup (G1, Singapore) Second
One-two finish for Japan-trained horses

2002 Agnes Digital (USA)2003
2004 Dance in the Mood2005 Eye Popper

Sunday Silence (USA)2006

Cosmo Bulk

39 |

References
Name

Date of Birth(M/D/Y)

Sire

Dam

ResultBuena Vista

3/14/06 Special Week

Biwa Heidi

Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, UAE) Second

Nakayama Festa

4/5/06

Dear Wink

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1, France) Second

Victoire Pisa

3/31/07 Neo Universe

Whitewater Affair (GB)Dubai World Cup (G1, UAE) Win

Transcend

3/9/06

Cinema Scope

Dubai World Cup (G1, UAE) Second
One-two finish for Japan-trained horses

5/15/07 King Kamehameha

Air Groove

Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Win

Orfevre5/14/08 Stay Gold

Oriental Art

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1, France) Second

Lord Kanaloa

3/11/08 King Kamehameha

Lady Blossom

Hong Kong Sprint (G1, HK) Win

Jaguar Mail

5/8/04

Haya Beni Komachi

Hong Kong Vase (GI1, HK) Second

Gentildonna

2/20/09 Deep Impact

Donna Blini (GB)Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, UAE) Second

5/14/08 Stay Gold

Oriental Art

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1, France) Second

Lord Kanaloa

3/11/08 King Kamehameha

Lady Blossom

Hong Kong Sprint (G1, HK) Win
for the second consecutive time

Gentildonna

2/20/09 Deep Impact

Donna Blini (GB)Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, UAE) Win

Just A Way

3/8/09Sibyl

Dubai Duty Free (G1, UAE) Win

Hana's Goal

4/24/09 Orewa Matteruze

Shanghai Jell

All Aged Stakes (G1, Australia) Win

Admire Rakti

2/20/08 Heart’s Cry

Admire Teresa

Caulfield Cup (G1, Australia) Win

Real Impact

5/14/08 Deep Impact

Tokio Reality (USA)

George Ryder Stakes (G1, Australia) Win
Doncaster Mile (G1, Australia) Second

Staphanos

2/13/11 Deep Impact

Kokoshnik

Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Second

Maurice

3/2/11

Screen Hero

Mejiro Frances

Hong Kong Mile (G1, HK) Win

2015 A Shin Hikari

5/3/11

Deep Impact

Catalina (USA)

Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Win

2010
Stay Gold20112012 Rulership2013 Orfevre

Wild Rush (USA)

Jungle Pocket

Heart’s Cry

2014

Nuovo Record

2/25/11 Heart's Cry

Omega Spirit

Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Second
One-two finish for Japan-trained horses

Real Steel

3/1/12

Loves Only Me (USA)

Dubai Turf (G1, UAE) Win

Duramente

3/22/12 King Kamehameha

Admire Groove

Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, UAE) Second

Maurice

3/2/11

Screen Hero

Mejiro FrancesChampions Mile (G1, HK) Win
Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Win

2016 A Shin Hikari

5/3/11

Deep Impact

Catalina (USA)Prix d'Ispahan (G1, France) Win

Deep Impact

Satono Crown

3/10/12 Marju(IRE)

Jioconda (IRE)

Hong Kong Vase (G1, HK) Win

Vivlos

4/9/13

Deep Impact

Halwa Sweet

Dubai Turf (G1, UAE) Win

Neorealism

3/22/11 Neo Universe

Tokio Reality

Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Win

Vivlos

4/9/13

Deep Impact

Halwa Sweet

Dubai Turf (G1, UAE) Second
Hong Kong Mile (G1, HK) Second

Deirdre4/4/14

Harbinger (GB)

ReizendHong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Second

Matera Sky

3/18/14 Speightstown (USA)

Mostaqeleh (USA)

Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1, UAE) Second

Almond Eye

3/10/15 Lord Kanaloa

Fusaichi Pandra

Dubai Turf (G1, UAE) Win

2017

2018

2019

40 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2022

References
Name

Date of Birth(M/D/Y)

Sire

Dam

ResultWin Bright

5/12/14 Stay Gold

Summer Eternity

Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Win
Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Win

Deirdre4/4/14

Reizend

Nassau Stakes (G1, GB) Win

Mer de Glace

5/26/15 Rulership

Glacier Blue

Caulfield Cup (G1, Australia) Win

Lys Gracieux

1/18/14 Heart's Cry

Liliside (FR)Cox Plate (G1, Australia) Win

Glory Vase

3/2/15

Deep Impact

Mejiro Tsubone

Hong Kong Vase (G1, HK) Win

Lucky Lilac

4/3/15

OrfevreLilacs and Lace (USA)

Hong Kong Vase (G1, HK) Second
One-two finish for Japan-trained horses

Admire Mars

3/16/16 Daiwa Major

Via Medici (IRE)

Hong Kong Mile (G1, HK) Win

Danon Smash

3/6/15Spinning Wildcat (USA)

Hong Kong Sprint (G1, HK) Win

Normcore

2/25/15 Harbinger (GB)Chronologist

Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Win

Loves Only You

3/26/16 Deep Impact

Loves Only Me (USA)Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Win
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1, USA) Win
Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Win

2021 Marche Lorraine

2/4/16

OrfevreVite Marcher

Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1, USA) Win

Glory Vase

3/2/15

Deep Impact

Mejiro Tsubone

Hong Kong Vase (G1, HK) Win

2020

Harbinger (GB)Lord Kanaloa
Lord Kanaloa

All JRA flat graded races have been opened to foreign-trained horses since 2010.

41 |References

On December 1, 2010, the “Japan Association forInternational Horse racing (JAIR),” which promotes theglobalization of Japanese racing and mutual
understanding with race organizations in other countries,
and the “Japan Race Horse Registry (JRHR),” a central
body for the registration of Japanese racehorses, merged
into a single body, the Japan Association for International
Racing and Stud Book (JAIRS). JAIRS now handles
activities as a channel for a broad range of fields
connected with racing industries all over the world.

Mission:- Collection and dissemination of horse racing-related
information, both domestic and abroad.
- Exchange of information on techniques for the conductof horse racing and the raising (training) of racehorsewith persons connected with horse racing from abroad.
- Conduct and support of international events relating tohorse racing and participation in international conferences.
- Registration of racehorses and the issuance ofregistration certificates.
- Registration for the stud book and other books/records
relating to horse racing and breeding.

Website:http://japanracing.jp/ (most up-to-date news on Japanese
racing, full coverage of all JRA races and local principal
races, provided in English, Chinese, Korean, French)
http://www.studbook.jp/ (Japanese Stud Book Databasein English, Japanese)
http://www.jairs.jp/ (Overseas horse racing informationand domestic registration information in Japanese)

Activities:
1. Registration
JAIRS conducts “Foal Registration,” which is to verify
pedigree and identity, and “Breeding Registration,” whichis to ensure the breeding record of the horse to be used as
breeding stock. JAIRS examines all horses applied forsuch registration and issues certificate when registration iscompleted.
2. Overseas Racing Bulletin
Periodical newsletter to provide Japanese racing
connections/fans with information on overseas horse
racing.
3. ARF Study Programs
Training programs for personnel from the Asian Racing
Federation to introduce Japan’s horse racing system andprovide opportunities to promote exchange of
information and international goodwill among member
countries. Courses are divided into regular andspecialized study programs. Over 400 participants haveattended this program to date.
4. Publication of Stud Book
JAIRS publishes all breeding records in Japan, as wellas import and export of horses, on the internet as JapaneseStud Book Database.
5. Naming
Upon receipt of application, JAIRS examines proposed
names according to international and domestic rules anddetermines the name of the horse.

Japan Association for International Racing and Stud Book (JAIRS)
6th Floor, JRA Shimbashi Bunkan Building,
4-5-4 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0004, Japan
Tel: +81-3434-5002
Fax: +81-3432-4668
URL: https://japanracing.jp/ (English, Chinese, Korean, French)https://www.studbook.jp/en/ (English)
http://www.jairs.jp/ (Japanese)

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References

JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION (JRA)■ International Department
JRA Head Office, Hibiya Fort Tower, 1-1-1 Nishi-shimbashi,
Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0003, JAPANTEL: +81-3-5785-7373 / FAX: +81-3-5785-7376
Email: inter@jra.go.jp / URL: https://japanracing.jp/
https://jra.jp/ (Japanese)■ JRA London Representative Office
4th Floor, 11 Argyll Street, London W1F 7TH, UNITED KINGDOMTEL: +44-20-7437-5053 / FAX: +44-20-7734-1984
Email: jralon@jrauk.com■ JRA Paris Representative Office
46 Place Abel Gance 92655 Boulogne Cedex, FRANCE
Tel: +33-1-4910-2261
Email: contact@jraparis.com■ JRA New York Representative Office
300 Main Street, Suite 401, Stamford, CT 06901, U.S.A.
TEL: +1-203-973-0661 / FAX: +1-203-973-0665
Email: info@nyjra.com■ JRA Hong Kong Representative Office1705, Prosperity Millennia Plaza, 663 King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong
TEL: +852-2840-1566 / FAX: +852-2840-1397
Email: racing@jra.com.hk■ JRA Sydney Representative Office
Suite 24, Level 26, 44 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000 AUSTRALIATEL: +61-2-9089-8884 / FAX: +61-2-9089-8849
Email: sydneyoffice@jraaus.com

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RACING (NAR)
2-2-1, Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8639, JAPAN
Tel: +81-3-3583-6841 / Fax: +81-3-3585-0481
Email: intl@nar.keiba.go.jp / URL: https://www.goracing.jp/english/
https://www.keiba.go.jp/ (Japanese)
Please visit the following URL for other JRA institutions and related organizations:
https://japanracing.jp/en/about/jra_organization/

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