FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
About the Japan Racing Association[2024]

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FAQs about the Japan Racing Association / CONTENTS
1. Breeding ·····················································································5
Q1-1 What is the life cycle of racehorses in Japanese racing?
Q1-2 How many horses are bred for racing in Japan?
Q1-3 Where are racehorses mainly bred?
2. Buying and selling racehorses ···························································5
Q2-1 How can I buy and sell racehorses?
Q2-2 What are auction sales?
Q2-3 How do I register my horse’s pedigree?
Q2-4 How do I register my horse’s name?
3. Pre-training ··················································································7
Q3-1 What does pre-training involve and what are the fees?
4. Stable entry (training) ·····································································8
Q4-1 Do registered racehorses always have to be stabled at JRA training centers or
racetracks?
Q4-2 What is the necessary procedure for placing a horse at the Miho or Ritto Training
Center?
Q4-3 What is the procedure for racehorse registration?
Q4-4 What is the special early registration system?
Q4-5 What is the procedure for registering racing colors?
Q4-6 What are the obligations of owners with respect to their racehorses? Can theseobligations be delegated to the trainer or another person?
Q4-7 What are the costs for keeping racehorses in training at JRA facilities?
Q4-8 What is the necessary procedure for jointly owning a racehorse?
Q4-9 What is the procedure if I want to sell (or transfer) a racehorse to another owner?
Q4-10 Can the JRA provide introductions to trainers?
Q4-11 If a problem arises with my trainer, will the JRA intervene to find a solution?
Q4-12 What is the required procedure for changing the affiliated stable and trainer?
Q4-13 If a racehorse owner lends his registration to another person to race a horse?
Q4-14 Can I enter a loaned horse in a race?
Q4-15 How can horses from local (NAR) racing be transferred to JRA racing?
Q4-16 How long is quarantine and compulsory stabling prior to races?
Q4-17 Is there a limit to the number of horses that can be entrusted to a trainer?
Q4-18 Is a horse’s training condition etc. checked before a horse is raced?

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5. Races (Entry) ···············································································13
Q5-1 How is the JRA racing calendar organized?
Q5-2 When are Racing Fixtures announced?
Q5-3 What are the race types and conditions?
Q5-4 What are earnings?
Q5-5 What are regular races, stakes races, graded races and listed races?
Q5-6 What is the grading system for graded races?
Q5-7 What are special weight races and handicap races?
Q5-8 Are there races that past performances may prevent a horse from entering?
Q5-9 How are the horse’s number and (bracket number) decided?
Q5-10 How do I enter my horse in a race?
Q5-11 What do I to withdraw from a race?
Q5-12 What is the declaration (stakes nomination) fee?
Q5-13 What are JRA supplementary rules?
Q5-14 What is the flat race entry restriction depending on performance in three races?
Q5-15 What are organizing committee instructions?
Q5-16 When would a horse be disqualified from a race?
Q5-17 When would a horse be demoted in a race?
Q5-18 What are prohibited substances?
Q5-19 What are controlled substances?
Q5-20 What are prohibited acts?
Q5-21 What is a petition for a ruling on disqualification/demotion?
Q5-22 What is disqualification after the official order of placing has been decided?
Q5-23 What is the system for filing appeals?
Q5-24 What is ‘time over’?
Q5-25 What are the restrictions on sight-impaired horses and horses that have bled fromthe nose?
Q5-26 Can horses registered with the JRA also be entered in NAR races?
Q5-27 How do I enter my horse in an NAR exchange race?
Q5-28 What prizes or other earnings are offered when taking part in NAR races?
Q5-29 What other kinds of prize money can owners receive?
Q5-30 What is added money?
Q5-31 What is the distance bonus?
Q5-32 What is the Japan-bred Horse Ownership Encouragement Award?
Q5-33 What is participation incentive money?
Q5-34 What is the special participation allowance?
Q5-35 What is the broodmare owner’s bonus?
Q5-36 What is the prize money paid to the trainer, jockey and stable personnel?
Q5-37 How is prize money paid?
Q5-38 Can prize money be transferred to an overseas bank account?
Q5-39 What is the system of taxation on prize money and other earnings?
Q5-40 What prizes does the owner receive?
Q5-41 Is prize money also subject to tax?
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6. Attending the Races ········································································25
Q6-1 What areas may I enter at racecourses during a race meeting?
Q6-2 Can Liaison Officers freely enter racecourses?
Q6-3 Regarding commemorative photographs with the winning horse
Q6-4 Are there award ceremonies for graded races and stakes races?
Q6-5 Where can I find information about horse racing?
Q6-6 Where can I find information about JRA racing on the Internet?
7. Racehorse Registration Cancellation ····················································27
Q7-1 What happens to a racehorse after its registration is cancelled?
Q7-2 How do I register and race my horse with the NAR?
8. Studhorses and broodmares ·······························································27
Q8-1 What is the procedure for when an active racehorse becomes a breeding horse?
9. Racing Connections ········································································28
Q9-1 Who are the people connected with racing and what are their roles?
Q9-2 How many owners are registered with the JRA?
Q9-3 I would like to use a pseudonym as my owner’s name. Is that possible?
10. Racehorse injuries ··········································································28
Q10-1 What happens if a horse is injured during racing or training?
Q10-2 What is a racehorse clinic?
Q10-3 What is racehorse injury consolation payment?

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1. Breeding
Q1-1 What is the life cycle of racehorses in Japanese racing?
A.
After being purchased by owners, the Thoroughbred horses born fromwinter to spring of each year first spend a period in yearling training farms before
being stabled with an appointed trainer at either the Miho or Ritto Training Center.
Newcomer races are scheduled from about June of the horse’s 2-year-old year.
Horses will go on to enter races, and eventually retire from JRA racing. Afterretirement, and depending on their pedigree and career record as racehorses, among
other factors, horses are usually used for breeding, NAR races (municipal
government racing), pleasure riding, etc.
Q1-2 How many horses are bred for racing in Japan?
A.
In 1954, when the Japan Racing Association (JRA) was established, thenumber of racehorses bred in Japan was about 3,000. The number subsequently
increased, reaching 10,000 in 1974 and 12,874 in 1992. Thereafter, due in part to thecancellation of Anglo-Arab racing and a contraction in the scale of municipal
government racing (NAR), the number declined gradually to 6,837 in 2012 The
number once against rebounded, increasing 7,796 horses born in 2023.
Q1-3 Where are racehorses mainly bred?
A.
Breeding areas are widely distributed throughout Japan from Hokkaido to
Kyushu, with the traditional breeding areas being Tokachi, Hidaka, and Iburi in
Hokkaido, and prefectures such as Aomori, Miyagi, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba,
Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. Hokkaido accounts for about 98% of thenumber of racehorses bred in Japan, with the Hidaka area making up roughly 80%.
2. Buying and selling racehorses
Q2-1 How can I buy and sell racehorses?
A.
There are two ways to buy and sell horses in Japan, at public auctions or at
private sales where the purchase price is decided through direct negotiations
between the breeder as the seller and a buyer.
Public auction sales are typically held in Hokkaido, Aomori, Chiba, and Kyushu
from April until about October. For further details on the public auction sales
schedule, please contact the auction organizers.
Q2-2 What are auction sales?
A.
Auction sales are livestock markets for bloodhorses based on the LivestockMarket Law. There are different auction sales for foals, yearlings, 2-year-olds andbreeding horses. For 2-year-olds, horses in “training sales” are most popular, in
5which training demonstrations are held before bidding begins.
List of 2023 Major Auction Sales (order by date)
Sale nameDate

JS Broodmare Sale (Winter) Jan. 25

Horse Offered

Broodmares

Sale Holder

JS Company, Ltd.
Chiba Ryoso
Agricultural
Cooperative
Association
Hidaka Horse BA, Iburi
BA, Tokachi Horse BA

Chiba Thoroughbred Sale

May 12

2-Y-O

Hokkaido Training Sale

May 232-Y-O

Kyushu Yearling Sale

Jun. 20

Yearling

Kyushu BA

Hachinohe Sale

Jul. 4Yearling

Aomori Prefecture BA

Select Sale

Jul. 10
Jul. 11Yearling
Foal

Hokkaido Selection Sale

Jul. 25-26

Yearling

Hokkaido Summer Sale

Aug. 21-25

Yearling

Hokkaido September Sale

Sept. 19-21

Yearling

Hokkaido Autumn Sale

Oct. 16-17

Yearling

Northern Farm Mixed Sale

Oct. 24

Foal
Broodmares

Japan Racing Horse
Association
Hidaka Horse BA, Iburi
BA, Tokachi Horse BA
Hidaka Horse BA, Iburi
BA, Tokachi Horse BA
Hidaka Horse BA, Iburi
BA, Tokachi Horse BA
Hidaka Horse BA, Iburi
BA, Tokachi Horse BA

Oct. 25

Broodmares

JS Broodmare Sale
(Autumn)[Reference] Breeze Up Sale
Sale name

Date

Horse Offered

Northern Horse Park
JS Company, Ltd.

Location

Hokkaido
Sales Complex
Funabashi
Racecourse
JRA Sapporo
Racecourse
JBBA Kyushu
Stallion
StationHachinohe
Sales Complex
Northern
Horse Park
Hokkaido
Sales Complex
Hokkaido
Sales Complex
Hokkaido
Sales Complex
Hokkaido
Sales Complex
Northern
Horse Park
Hokkaido
Sales Complex

Sale Holder

LocationJRA
JRA Breeze Up Sale
Apr. 25
2-Y-O
JRA
Nakayama
Racecourse
Abbreviations: JRA = Japan Racing Association, BA = Breeders’ Association, JBBA = Japan Bloodhorse
Breeders’ Association

Q2-3 How do I register my horse’s pedigree?
A. Foal registrations are carried out by The Japan Association for International
Racing and Stud Book (JAIRS). Documents including the dam’s breeding
registration certificate and the covering certificate must first be submitted, then a foal
undergoes identification (marking confirmation) tests to confirm that the foal isactually the horse from the breeder it is said to be from. After this, the horse isregistered and a certificate of foal registration is issued.
For imported horses, application for registration must be made within 90 days oflanding in Japan. At the time of registration, the export certificate or foal registration
certificate issued by a pedigree registering authority in the country of birth or theexporting country must also be submitted.
For further details, please contact the following via your Liaison Officer.
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The Japan Association for International Racing and Stud Book (JAIRS)
c/o JRA Shimbashi Bunkan Bldg.,
4-5-4 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004
Tel: (03) 3434-5315
Q2-4 How do I register my horse’s name?
A. As for foal registration, the review of a horse’s name and registration are also
carried out by JAIRS. When applying for registration, a copy of the foal registration
certificate and an application for registration of the horse’s name must also be
submitted.
Horse names are registered using the name written in the letters of the Roman
alphabet (a length of a maximum 18 letters and other restrictions by the Agreement
for Breeding, Racing and Wagering issued by the International Federation ofHorseracing Authorities are imposed). The names also receive phonetic
representation in the Japanese katakana syllabic script (limited to a maximum of 9characters, among other restrictions). Foreign-bred horses that already have a name at
the time of export, or horses with names originally written with letters of thealphabet, will need to have their names phonetically converted to katakana.
Horse name registration must be complete by the time the horse is stabled at a
JRA training center. Once registration is complete, a “Notice of Horse Name
Registration” is sent to the applicant. This notice is required for racehorse registrationand should be kept in a safe place.
Horse names can be changed before they are registered as racehorses for JRA orNAR (municipal government racing) races. (However, for foreign-bred horses
already with a name at the time of export, need approval by a registering authority inthe country of birth to have the name changed.) Also, after a racehorse has beenregistered with the JRA, one name change is permitted if the horse has not previously
raced overseas or in JRA, NAR (municipal government racing) races. In such a case,the registration fee for a name change is 5,000 yen.
Please refer to the “Guide to Horse Name Registration Procedures” issued by The
Japan Association for International Racing and Stud Book (JAIRS) for details onhorse name registration. (Only available in Japanese)

3. Pre-training
Q3-1 What does pre-training involve and what are the fees?
A. Training fees for private farms (facilities not supervised by JRA trainers) vary,depending on the training, the farm facilities farm, the training personnel’s skill andother factors.
Training ranges from initial breaking-in (such as pasturing, dietary management,
bridling and saddling) to mounted work.

74. Stable entry (training)
Q4-1 Do registered racehorses always have to be stabled at JRA training centersor racetracks?
A.
To enter a horse in JRA races, the owner must first conclude an entrustment
agreement with a trainer licensed by the JRA.
Also, horses that have entered a JRA race, a JRA-NAR (municipal government
racing) exchange race, or an overseas race following their registration (hereinaftercollectively “horses with prior racing experience”) must be stabled at a JRA facility
for 10 days prior to the race. Horses without prior racing experience must behoused at a training center or racetrack for 15 days.
Q4-2 What is the necessary procedure for placing a horse at the Miho or Ritto
Training Center?
A. By entering into an entrustment contract with a trainer, owners can have theirracehorses placed in stables managed by that trainer. The timing for stable entry
varies according to a horse’s progress in training. Also, there are regulations
regarding the period of time a horse must be housed at the training center stableprior to entering a race (see Q4-16). Please discuss all matters with your trainer.
Q4-3 What is the procedure for racehorse registration?
A. For a horse to be entered in JRA races, the horse must first be registered as a
racehorse with the JRA.
Horses that cannot be registered as racehorses include those used for breeding
purposes, horses imported duty-free for use outside of horseracing, horses without
implanted microchips, and horses that lost their sight in one or both eyes.
To register a racehorse, the appointed trainer needs to submit an application form,
accompanied by a registration fee of 5,000 yen, to the Miho or Ritto Training Center.
Also, when applying, a “Notice of Horse Name Registration” issued by JAIRS mustbe attached, as well as documents needed to confirm ownership rights. Other
documents to be submitted (see Q2-4) include a declaration of horse ownership, theLiaison Officer’s name-seal registration certificate, a copy of the horse purchaseagreement, and a certificate of foal registration. When registering a racehorse, in
principle it is necessary for the horse to be stabled at a training center and undergo aphysical examination; however, for horses from September of their 1-year-old year
and to February of their 2-year-old year, it is possible to take advantage of the "Early
Special Registration System" (see Q4-4), which does not require a physicalexamination.
In addition, if you wish to change the name of a horse that has already beenregistered as a racehorse, you may do so, but only once and only if the horse has not
yet run in any national, local or overseas races.
[Refer to Article 3 of the Horse Racing Regulations]8

Q4-4 What is the special early registration system?
A. Introduced in 2016, the special early registration system allows racehorses to beregistered without entering one of the two JRA training centers and without having toundergo a physical examination.
The registration application period applies to horses from September of theiryearling year until February as a 2-year-old. A deadline for application is set eachmonth and registrations are made at the end of the month. Horses can be stabled at
the training centers from November onwards, and must undergo a physicalexamination when entering the stable for the first time.
For tax procedures related to racehorse depreciation, please consult with yourowner's association or tax authority.
Please refer to the National Tax Agency's Website for information related to thestart date of racehorse depreciation in connection with the introduction of the special
early registration system.
(For reference) National Tax Agency Website ( https://www.nta.go.jp/ )[Related laws etc.] Information regarding legal interpretation and regulations⇒ [Income tax] Declared income tax-related information⇒ Individual Taxation Section Information No. 5

Regarding the start date of depreciation for racehorses registered under the
new racehorse registration system (information) (June 1, 2016)

Q4-5 What is the procedure for registering racing colors?
A.
The Japan Racing Association permits owners to race under their own
colors, but in order to do so, the colors must be registered with the JRA. To thisend, an application and registration fee of 3,000 yen can be submitted through one’s
trainer at the Miho or Ritto training center.
Also, there are restrictions on the colors and designs that can be used for racingcolors and each owner can only register one set of colors. In the case that, for someunavoidable circumstance, an owner is unable to use the registered racing color,colors determined by the JRA. However, in the case that the owner does not haveregistered colors, JRA-determined colors cannot be used. [Refer to Article 4 of theHorse Racing Regulations]Q4-6 What are the obligations of owners with respect to their racehorses? Can
these obligations be delegated to the trainer or another person?
A.
To enter their horses in races, owners must conclude an entrustment
agreement with a trainer licensed by the JRA, then complete the racehorse
registration procedure. When planning to race, the horse must be nominated for the
race. These registration matters are all delegated to the trainer, who acts as theowner’s agent. [Refer to Article 13 of the Horse Racing Regulations]9

Q4-7 What are the costs for keeping racehorses in training at JRA facilities?
A. The training fees paid to trainers are comprised largely of feed costs, stable staff
salaries, stakes nomination fees and so on. Additional costs, such as veterinary
treatment and transportation fees outside the JRA facilities etc. will also be incurred.
However, part of the cost for veterinary treatment is subsidized (by the JRA
Owners’ Mutual Association). (See Q10-3) As a general rule, the cost oftransportation between the Miho or Ritto training centers and the racecourses inorder to take part in a race is not shouldered by the horse owner.
Q4-8 What is the necessary procedure for jointly owning a racehorse?
A.
Racehorses may be jointly owned provided that all joint owners areregistered with the JRA. At present, joint ownership is permitted for up to 10 owners
per horse. As ownership must be confirmed for all joint owners, the designatedtrainer must submit, as an attachment, a declaration of horse ownership, the Liaison
Officer’s name-seal registration certificate, a copy of the purchase agreement for thehorse, and other relevant documents to the Miho or Ritto Training Center. In
addition, for joint ownership, the owners must appoint one representative ownerwhose name will appear in the list of entrants and whose colors will be worn during
races. Also, prize money will be transferred in full to the representative owner.
Q4-9 What is the procedure if I want to sell (or transfer) a racehorse to anotherowner?
A.
When ownership of a stabled horse is transferred to another owner, theappointed trainer must submit a copy of the horse purchase agreement (in the caseof sale) or the transfer certificate (in the case of transfer) to the Miho or Ritto
Training Center. In such cases, the new owner’s declaration of horse ownership andname-seal registration certificate must also be submitted at the same time.
If only part of an owner’s horses are being sold or transferred, the trainer mustalso submit the same paperwork.
When an owner’s registered racehorse is sold (or transferred) to a person who is
not a JRA owner, that horse will no longer able to run in races, and if the situation
continues for longer than 60 days, the horse’s registration will be cancelled.
However, if the horse is confirmed to start as a result of drawing lots, the horsecannot be sold (or transferred) until the day of the race the horse is confirmed torace in (or if the horse is withdrawn by the owner or is eliminated from the final
lineup of the race) [Refer to Article 26-2 of the Horse Racing Regulations]10

Q4-10 Can the JRA provide introductions to trainers?
A. The JRA cannot provide introductions to trainers. Commonly, many introductions
are made by the breeding farm from which a horse was bought. For further details,
please check the Website below.
Japan Trainers Association: http://www.ijta.or.jp/
Q4-11 If a problem arises with my trainer, will the JRA intervene to find asolution?
A. If a problem arises between an owner and the appointed trainer of the owner’s
horse, the matter should basically be resolved between the two parties.
Q4-12 What is the required procedure for changing the affiliated stable andtrainer?
A. If you wish to change the stable (affiliated trainer) where your horse is stabled,
your current trainer must notify the Miho or Ritto training center of the cancellationof your contract. Then, the new trainer will submit an entrustment contract and thehorse’s affiliated stable will change. However, if a horse has been confirmed to startin a race as a result of drawing lots, the contract with the original trainer cannot becancelled (except in the case of the trainer’s death or for other unavoidable
circumstances) until the day of the race the horse is set to participate in (or until thehorse is either withdrawn from the race by the owner or is eliminated from the race’s
final lineup). [Refer to Article 26-2 of the Horse Racing Regulations]Q4-13 If a racehorse owner lends his registration to another person to race ahorse?
A. The Japan Racing Association Rules of Racing stipulate that a person notregistered as a horse owner with the JRA cannot race a horse in a JRA.
Thus, when a horse owner registered with the JRA lends his or her name to an
unregistered third party, who then falsely registers and races the horse as his or her
own horse, this is deemed "name lending." Such acts are strictly prohibited, and theowners and trainers involved will be subject to severe punishment, including having
their owner registration and trainer license revoked.
Also, if one horse is owned by a number of people, all persons must be registeredhorse owners. Co-ownership of a horse with someone not registered as a horseowner is also considered to be “name lending.''
In addition, if an individual registered horse owner registers and runs a racehorse
as a personally owned horse when the horse is actually owned by a corporation theregistered horse owner manages (invests in, or has managed by a relative), or,conversely, if a corporate-registered owner races a horse owned by an individual
executive or other related corporation as a corporate-owned registered horse, that
too will be considered to be a case of “name lending.”[Refer to Article 11-4 of the Horse Racing Regulations]11

Q4-14 Can I enter a loaned horse in a race?
A.
Horses that can be registered as racehorses are limited to those for which theowner has acquired ownership (through sale, transfer, home breeding, breeding, etc.).
Furthermore, registering a horse that has been temporarily loaned on the basis of arental or lease contract and entering such a horse in races would also be regarded as
an act of “name lending” that person.
However, there is no problem in adding a special clause stating that, after the
racehorse registration has been cancelled, the horse can be bought back by the former
owner.
Q4-15 How can horses from local (NAR) racing be transferred to JRA racing?
A. Horses that have competed in local National Association of Racing events
cannot be transferred to the JRA system unless they have earned the specified
amount prize money. The amount is determined by age, and does not include all
winnings. The amount of earnings is determined by the standards set out in the
Racing Program, a JRA official publication (see Q5-13). Additionally, horses thathave not raced in the 6 months prior to the application date for JRA registration
cannot be transferred.
Horses that won certain specified races can be registered with the JRA by the endof December of their 3-year-old year, and horses that have not raced in local races
can be registered with the JRA if application is made by the end of June of thehorse’s 3-year-old year.
In addition, horses no longer registered with the JRA wishing to transfer back to
the JRA can be registered again, but conditions vary depending on the date on which
the original JRA registration was canceled.
Those conditions are.
I. Horses with 2 or more wins whose registration was canceled with the JRA
before Dec. 31, 2012
II. Horses whose JRA registration was canceled on or after Jan. 1, 2013(excluding horses to which III. applies)(1) Horses 2 or 3 years old at the time of re-registration that have won 2 ormore races.
(2) Horses 4 years old or older at the time of re-registration that have won 3 ormore races.
III. Horses born in 2012 or after and applying for re-registration after Sept. 12,2015(1) Horses that have won two or more races by the end of December of their 3year-old year and applying for racehorse registration by the end of Januaryof their 4-year-old year.
(2) Horses with 3 or more wins12Q4-16 How long is quarantine and compulsory stabling prior to races?
A.
Horses must go through quarantine when moving from outside a JRA
facility to the JRA facility. Also, in order to race, those horses that have, following
their registration as registrations, and have already raced in a JRA race, a JRA-NAR(municipal government racing) exchange race, or in an overseas race following theirregistration (hereinafter collectively “horses with prior racing experience”) need to
be stabled at a JRA facility for the 10 days prior to the race. Horses that do not
qualify as horses with prior racing experience must be stabled at a JRA facility for 15
days. [Refer to Article 91 of the Horse Racing Regulations]Q4-17 Is there a limit to the number of horses that can be entrusted to a trainer?
A. The number of horses that can be entrusted to each trainer is determined by the
number of stalls being leased to the trainer by the JRA. Trainers are not permitted toaccept entrustments for racehorses beyond this number of stalls.
Q4-18 Is a horse’s training condition etc. checked before a horse is raced?
A.
Horses housed at the stable will be trained under the supervision of a trainer.
A horse taking part in a JRA race for the first time must be trained at a JRA facility(training centers and racecourses) for at least 15 days and also pass a starting gate
test. Horses participating in jump races for the first time are also required to take ajumping test. Also, if a steward has, as the result of an actual race, ordered that ahorse must once again undergo the training test, said horse may not enter races until
it has passed the exam. [Refer to Articles 80, 90, and 91 of the Horse Racing
Regulations]

5．Races (Entry)
Q5-1 How is the JRA racing calendar organized?
A.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries stipulates that race
meetings be held no more than 36 times a year, with a limit of 12 days per meetingand 12 races per day. This translates to a maximum of 288 race days per year overthe 10 JRA racecourses. As a general rule, races are held on Saturdays, Sundays,
and some public holidays.
In fiscal 2023, there was a total of 36 race meetings, 288 race days, and 3,456
races.
Q5-2 When are Racing Fixtures announced?
A.
Racecourses, dates of race meetings, the types and conditions of various
races held in accordance with the Rules of Racing and other related matters are
specified in the Racing Programs published in the JRA’s official bulletin. The
program for graded races is announced in late October of the previous year, the13spring Racing Fixtures (races held between January and May) are announced in lateNovember of the previous year, the summer Racing Fixtures (races held between
June and September) in the middle of April, and the autumn Racing Fixtures (races
held between September and December) from late July to early August.
Q5-3 What are the race types and conditions?
A.
The JRA currently holds two types of races: Thoroughbred flat races andThoroughbred jump races. (The JRA does not hold harness racing.) Races arefurther categorized according to earnings, as a measure of a horse’s racing
performance and with the aim of matching horses with similar ability. (See Q5-4) In
the case of Thoroughbred flat races, for example, races in the spring are divided into
those for 3-year-olds and those for 4-year-olds and up. Races in the summer onward
are divided into those for 2-year-olds and those for 3-year-olds and up. There areraces for newcomers, maiden races (horses that have not yet won), → 1 win class →2 wins class → 3 wins class → open class. With each category and class and as ahorse’s earnings increase, the level of the competition also increases.
Q5-4 What are earnings?
A.
Earnings are the amount of the prize money from races won by the horse(or, in graded races, in which the horse finished second) and calculated for race
eligibility. Race class categories are determined on the basis of these earnings.
Q5-5 What are regular races, stakes races, graded races and listed races?
A.
Regular races are all races other than stakes races.
Stakes races require stakes nomination, and the nomination fee stated in the
Racing Program must be paid upon nomination. (See Q5-12)
Graded races are stakes races in which the amount of prize money and caliber ofentrants are high. These are indicated on the List of Graded Races. Depending on
the importance of the race, Thoroughbred graded races are classified as GI, GII and
GIII races (with GI the highest), and Thoroughbred jump races are classified as JGI, J-GII and J-GIII races. (See Q5-6)
Listed races are stakes races that are only a step down from the graded level ofraces in the horse-racing system.
Q5-6 What is the grading system for graded races?
A. To clarify the importance of different races, respective grades are assigned to flat
races and jump races depending on the prize money, weight carried, history andtradition, race quality and other factors. Flat races are classified into GI, GII and
GIII by the Japan Grading Committee, and jump races are categorized as J-GI, J-GII
and J-GIII races.
GI races (including J-GI) are, in principle, races at the very pinnacle of the sport,
and are designed to produce the champion horses over each distance category. They14

also have great significance as indicators for horse breeding. GII races (including JGII) are second in importance to GI races, and are relatively easy to enter for thewinners of GI races. GIII races (including J-GIII) are basically a step towards GI and
GII races. Races for 3-year-olds, and 4-year-olds and up are subject to various
conditions, including qualification, weight carried and distance.
Q5-7 What are special weight races and handicap races?
A. There are three categories of weight carried in races: Weight For Age (WFA),Special Weight, and Handicap. In the WFA category, the weight is, as the namesuggests, determined by the age of the horse. Special weight is determined by a
combination of factors in addition to the horse’s age, including its gender, earnings
and number of wins. Races contested with this weight are called "Special Weightraces." Handicaps are weights that are artificially increased or decreased for eachhorse in accordance with its racing performance. Handicap races are designed to give
each horse an equal opportunity to win. Races contested with this weight are called"handicap races."[Refer to Article 71 of the JRA Rules of Racing]Q5-8 Are there races that past performances may prevent a horse from entering?
A. Until 2023 (fiscal), horses 3 years old (as of November) and 4 years or older that
had not yet raced or won were not allowed to race at Nakayama, Tokyo, Kyoto or
Hanshin. But from 2024 these restrictions were lifted and all racetracks are open torunners. (Note there still are some races with certain restrictions on participation, so
be sure to check the respective racing program for details.)
Q5-9 How are the horse’s number and (bracket number) decided?
A.
The post numbers assigned to runners in the various races are all decided
automatically by computer, with the exception of some GI races in which thenumbers are assigned by an open lottery. Similarly, a computer decides the final
lineup when the number of declared entrants exceeds the permitted number ofstarters.
The post positions at the starting gate are the same as the numbers outlined
above, starting with number 1 and proceeding from the inside of the track toward
the outside.
The JRA has no system of “also eligible” runners. In other words, even when arunner is withdrawn after the entries and post positions have been declared, otherhorses are not moved up to participate in the race.
Q5-10 How do I enter my horse in a race?
A. The trainer who has been entrusted with a horse by its owner judges the horse’s
fitness and training condition, selects an appropriate race and a jockey, and makes an15

application for race entry (a “declaration to run”) on behalf of the owner. In otherwords, the owner is not directly involved in the procedure for entering the horse inraces.
A declaration to run is normally made between noon and 2:45 p.m. on theThursday before a race. This can be done at the Miho and Ritto Training Centers,
and also at the Sapporo and Hakodate racecourses in the summer season.
When a horse is to be entered in a stakes race, a stakes nomination must be madein addition to the above procedure. Stakes nomination is normally accepted on the
Sunday of the week before a race (in the case of GI races, two weeks before).
Special registration for the five major stakes races is necessary for entries toclassic races for 3-year-olds.
Q5-11 What do I to withdraw from a race?
A.
The JRA does not permit horses to be withdrawn from a race once the entry
list has been finalized, except for reasons such as injury or illness of the horse.
* Weather and track conditions do not constitute grounds for withdrawal from arace.
Q5-12 What is the declaration (stakes nomination) fee?
A.
Owners must pay a declaration (stakes nomination) fee stipulated in the
Racing Program when nominating their horses in stakes races. The declaration(stakes nomination) fee is for the purpose of conducting races with horses that aresuitable for the grade of the race. It applies to the five major stakes races for 3-yearolds, as well as other graded races and stakes races. The fees collected through thestakes nomination fees are awarded to owners as stakes money for horses finishing
1st to 3rd in each race, at a ratio of 7:2:1.
Q5-13 What are JRA supplementary rules?
A.
Rules on convening races are stipulated in the Horse Racing Law, Horse
Racing Law Enforcement Order, Horse Racing Law Enforcement Regulations andthe JRA Rules of Racing, among others. Besides these, supplementary rules
specifying detailed matters necessary when implementing races are set out in the
Racing Programs, which are supplements to the JRA official bulletin. These
supplementary rules specify conditions for eligibility to run in races, maximum
numbers of starters, various types of prize money and other matters.
These supplementary rules are amended as appropriate, so Liaison Officers
should keep up to date with the Racing Programs and explain the rules and changes
to owners.
Q5-14 What is the flat race entry restriction depending on performance in threeraces?
A.
If a 3-year-old or older maiden cannot finish within 8th place three16

consecutive times in JRA flat races after January 1, 2019, the horse may not run inflat races for 2 months, counting from the day after the third race.
However, those races in which debuting horse do not finish, and for which therace steward deems there were unavoidable circumstances, etc., will not counttoward the three consecutive times.
Q5-15 What are organizing committee instructions?
A. In order to host horse racing, JRA officers and employees serve as the following
executive committee members and engage in their respective duties. In order to
conduct horse racing fairly and smoothly, the various instructions given by theorganizing committee to horse owners, trainers, and other related parties are referred
to as the instructions of the organizing committee, and if these instructions are notfollowed. may be subject to penalties according to regulations.
[Reference] Organizing committee members: Chairman executive steward, vicechairman vice executive steward, arbiter steward of the meeting, horse riding
committee clerk of the course, handicapper, weighing committee clerk of the scale,starting committee starter , placement judge, final referee, pari-mutuel manager,
veterinary officer, course attendance enhancement official, security manager, public
relations officer, information control official, media and public relations committee
member publicity officer, track monitoring committee patrol judges, facilities
officials, system management official.
[Refer to Article 178 of the Japan Racing Association Rules of Racing]Q5-16 When would a horse be disqualified from a race?
A.
Disqualifications are decided by the race steward in accordance with theRules of Racing and grounds for disqualification include; cases the race steward
recognizes as extremely malicious or dangerous actions against other jockeys orhorses that cause serious obstruction in a race, when drugs or other substances havebeen used either to temporarily enhance or impair a horse’s racing performance,
when a horse has not run on its own merits without good reason, or when more than
1 kg in weight has been lost between weighing-out and weighing-in (except in cases
deemed unavoidable by the race steward). If a horse is disqualified, prize money andother earnings will not be awarded.
[Refer to Article 123 of the Horse Racing Regulations]Q5-17 When would a horse be demoted in a race?
A.
If a horse obstructs another horse’s course during a race and the race
steward rules that the obstructed horse would have finished ahead of the offending
horse without the obstruction, the placing of the offending horse will be demoted toa placing behind the obstructed horse.
Following various other countries, the demotion system was implemented on
17January 1, 1991, and the demotion judgment criteria were changed to the above on
January 1, 2013. Under the new rule, more respect will be given to the performanceand placing of horses in races.
[Refer to Article 124 of the Horse Racing Regulations]Q5-18 What are prohibited substances?
A.
Horse racing combines the two aspects of sport and gambling, and it goes
without saying that ensuring integrity is a vital condition. A number of rules havebeen established to ensure this, since it is an essential condition that all horses
entering a race should run on their own merits. Horses are therefore not permitted torace while their racing performance has been temporarily enhanced or reduced bydrugs. Drugs that have such an effect are defined as prohibited substances in theRules of Racing. If such substances are detected in the post-race physiochemical
test, the horse will be disqualified from the race and barred from receiving prize
money or other earnings. In addition, the concerned parties will be banned orsuspended from involvement in racing, and may be punished under the Horse
Racing Act.
In addition, to prevent horses from testing positive for drugs throughcontamination from feed, racehorses in JRA facilities are only permitted to consume
feed that complies with the Guidelines to Implement Feed and Drugs Testing
specified by the Feed and Drugs Testing Supervision Committee, and that isdelivered to the stables by parties approved by the JRA President. In addition, theonly drugs that are permitted to be administered to horses stabled at JRA facilities
are those that are prescribed or injected directly by a veterinarian approved by theJRA. For this reason, it is strictly prohibited to bring feed or drugs into the stablesfrom outside.
Q5-19 What are controlled substances?
A.
Racehorses are athletes, and it is not uncommon for them to suffer frommusculoskeletal disorders (muscle pains, joint inflammation, fractures, etc.)
sustained in routine training. Allowing horses to enter races while on drugs thatsuppress the pain of such disorders can lead to major accidents. To ensure thewelfare of racehorses and to prevent accidents, it is necessary to regulate drugs thatare administered to racehorses. For this reason, glucocorticoids and non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), etc., which have an anti-inflammatory analgesic
effect, are designated as controlled substances, and their use prior to races isregulated.
Unlike prohibited substances, controlled substances do not affect the racing
performance of the horses, but it is important to ascertain that horses are notcompeting under the influence of a drug on the day of the race. Consequently, in thecase that horses are administered controlled substances, trainers and veterinarians
are instructed to carefully manage such administration, including their necessity andthe timing of their use.
18

Q5-20 What are prohibited acts?
A. In recent years, certain acts that cannot be controlled by conventional drug tests
have become international issues, acts such as the misuse of gene therapy and direct
blood transfusions to enhance athletic performance. Included from the perspectiveof animal welfare, are acts that cause excessive pain to horses, acts that may affectnormal growth, or veterinary practices that may lead to accidents during training or
racing, etc. International agreements have also placed restrictions on certain
practices or behavior. The JRA, is also restricting or prohibiting such acts as seenfrom the perspective of “animal welfare” “fair racing” and “preventing accidents.''
All horse-connected people, not just those within the confines of the JRA facilities,
are being notified and instructed to not engage in such acts.
Q5-21 What is a petition for a ruling on disqualification/demotion?
A.
If a horse’s owner, trainer or jockey is of the opinion that the horse has
suffered interference during a race and, had the interference not occurred, theaffected horse would have finished ahead of the offending horse, he or she canpetition the race steward for a disqualification or demotion ruling, but only before therace result is made official. The petition must be made in writing, together with aguarantee of 30,000 yen. The race steward then rules on the petition, and notifies thepetitioner of the result. If a petition for a ruling for disqualification/demotion isrejected, the petitioner may file an appeal within 2 days after the date the ruling was
made. However, if the petition is rejected, the guarantee will not be returned.
Please note that the Liaison Officer of a non-resident owner may not make a petition
for a ruling for disqualification or demotion.
[Refer to Article 127 of the Horse Racing Regulations]Q5-22 What is disqualification after the official order of placing has been
decided?
A.
This is a system implemented from January 1, 1994, whereby, if (1) the useof prohibited substances, etc., (2) a failure to let a horse run on its own merits, or(3) an illegal agreement is discovered within 5 years of the date a race was held, thehorse in question will be disqualified.
Rulings of retroactive disqualification are made by the Board of Appeal. If a rulingof retroactive disqualification is made, the placings of the horses finishing behindthe disqualified horse are each moved up by one place. In this case, prize money andother earnings will be re-assessed and re-issued, and in some cases earnings will
also change. If the owner of a horse that has been subjected to retroactive
disqualification does not return the prize money and other earnings within thedesignated period, none of the horses owned by the owner will be able to race.
Appeals against rulings of retroactive disqualification may be filed with the19President of the JRA within 30 days of the ruling date. (See Q5-23）Owners who
are not residents of Japan should do this through their Liaison Officer. Whatever theoutcome, this process will not affect winning pari-mutuel bets.
[Refer to Article 128 of the Horse Racing Regulations]Q5-23 What is the system for filing appeals?
A.
The system for filing appeals is that, after the race result is made official, an
appeal may be made against (1) rulings of disqualification or demotion, (See Q5-21)
and sanctions accompanying these, (2) rulings of rejection of a petition for rulingson disqualification or demotion, (3) rulings of jockey suspension, and (4) rulings ofretroactive disqualification. (See Q5-22) Appeals against (1), (2), and (4) werepermitted from January 1994, and an appeal against (3) from April 2016.
Persons allowed to appeal in cases (1) and (4) are the owner, trainer, and jockey ofthe penalized horse. in case (2), the owner, trainer or jockey who petitioned for aruling on disqualification or demotion in case (See Q5-21), and in case (3) thejockey who received the suspension. Please note that the Liaison Officer of a nonresident owner may not make a petition for a ruling on disqualification or demotion.
The period in which appeals in cases (1), (2) and (3) can be made is until 2 days
after the date on which the ruling was made. In case (4), appeals may be made up to
30 days after the date of the ruling. In all cases, the appeal must be made in writing
to the Board of Appeal, accompanied by a guarantee of 100,000 yen (In the case of(2) the guarantee is 70,000 yen). However, if an appeal is rejected, the guarantee
will not be returned.
If the appeal is accepted, the disqualification or demotion will be rescinded or a
new disqualification or demotion will be imposed on another horse. As a result, theplacings will be changed, and prize money and other earnings will be re-assessed andre-issued. If the placing of the first-place horse (and the second-placed horse, in
graded races) is changed, earnings (See Q5-4) will also change. However, this will
not affect the status of winning pari-mutuel bets.
[Refer to Article 10 of the Horse Racing Regulations]Q5-24 What is ‘time over’?
A. “Time over” occurs when a horse fails to cross the finish line within a specifictime after the winning horse has completed the race. Horses running in flat races
other than graded races and jockeys’ invitational races (World All-Star Jockeys
Series, Young Jockeys Series), as well as other races specified in the Racing
Program, may not run in flat races for the period specified in Table 2 below (counting
from the day after the race), if they fail to cross the finish line behind the winner
within the time specified in Table 1. This, however, does not apply to cases deemedunavoidable by the race steward.

20

Table 1.

Flat races other than thosespecified in the columns to
the right

Newcomer races

Turf courses

Dirt courses

Turf courses Dirt courses

Less than 1,400m

3 sec.

4 sec.

4 sec.

5 sec.

1,400m –less than 2,000m

4 sec.

5 sec.

5 sec.

6 sec.

2,000m or more

5 sec.

6 sec.

6 sec.

7 sec.

Distance

Table 2.
Maidens

First time over: 1 month; 2nd: 2 months; 3rd onwards: 3 months

Other horses

1 month

Q5-25 What are the restrictions on sight-impaired horses and horses that havebled from the nose?
A.
Normally, horses that are blind in one or both eyes cannot enter races.
However, horses that become blind in one eye after being registered as racehorses
with the JRA may participate, but only in flat races.
Moreover, while running in races while registered as JRA racehorse, a horse thatbleeds from the nose (except when due to external injury) from the time the horse is
led into the saddling enclosure until the end of a race, may, on the first occasion, notenter races for 1 month from the day after the race date, 2 months on the second
occasion, and 3 months from the third occasion onwards.
Q5-26 Can horses registered with the JRA also be entered in NAR races?
A. Yes, but only in JRA-NAR exchange races. Until 1994, horses registered with the
JRA had been permitted to take part in only very limited races, like the Teio Shoraces at the Oi Racecourse. Since 1995, however, JRA-NAR (municipal government
racing) exchange races have been expanded gradually, including conditional races. In
2021, a total of 176 of these races were held by 13 promoters. These consisted of 40
graded dirt exchange races and 136 conditional exchange races. For further details,
refer to the "Guide to Specified JRA-NAR Exchange Races" issued quarterly.
Q5-27 How do I enter my horse in an NAR exchange race?
A. Normally, applications to take part in NAR exchange races are accepted the
Sunday of the week before the race (graded races the Sunday two weeks before therace) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Miho and Ritto Training Centers, and at all
racecourses where races are being held.
As with the declaration to run (see Q5-10), applications are made by the owner’s
21

appointed trainer.
The decision on the final runners, and according to such pre-determined conditions
for conditions races such as the time between races, will be made by the NAR raceorganizing body selection committee the day following nominations for a dirt NAR
graded exchange race.
The draw will be made by the NAR organizing body 2-3 days before the race.
Q5-28 What prizes or other earnings are offered when taking part in NAR races?
A. When a JRA-registered horse enters a NAR (municipal government racing)exchange race, the prize money and other earnings are paid by the promoter. Also, if
the amount of prize money awarded by the promoter is less than the standard award
in a JRA race under the same conditions, the JRA will pay an amount proportionate
to the difference.
For the amount of difference to be supplemented, see the statement issued by the
JRA after the race or check with the appointed trainer.
Q5-29 What other kinds of prize money can owners receive?
A. Prize money consists of the added money stipulated in the Racing Program, thedistance bonus, the Japanese-bred Thoroughbred ownership bonus, the participation
incentive money and stakes money. Moreover, special race entry incentive moneyand bonuses may be issued in some races. In addition to these, special participation
allowances are also paid to owners entering their horses in races.
For further details on prize money, please refer to the prize money simulation on
the JRA Website.
Q5-30 What is added money?
A. This is the total prize money recorded in the added money column of a Racing
Program, which is paid to the owners of horses finishing from first to fifth place in arace. In this case, the allocation ratio in all races is 100:40:25:15:10 in descendingorder of placement.
Q5-31 What is the distance bonus?
A. This is a bonus paid to the owners of the horses finishing from first to 10th placein flat races over a distance of 1,800 meters on turf in open-class, races excluding
graded races, and stakes races of the 3-wins class, 2-wins class, and 1-win class(excluding races for 2 and 3-year-olds).
Q5-32 What is the Japan-bred Horse Ownership Encouragement Award?
A. The Japan-bred Thoroughbred Ownership Bonus includes the Japan-bredincentive money, and the Japan-bred females incentive money.
The Japan-bred incentive money is awarded (according to the level of the race) to22

owners of locally bred Thoroughbreds that finish first to eighth in flat races.
In addition, the Japan-bred females incentive money is awarded to the owners offillies and mares finishing first to eighth in debut and maiden flat races also open to
males (applicable maidens open to 3-year-olds are limited only to races held in thespring).
Q5-33 What is participation incentive money?
A. This is an amount paid to the owners of horses finishing 6th to 9th in a race (6th to10th in graded races or flat open races). The amount is calculated by multiplying thepurse for 1st place by a prescribed ratio. However, the bonus will not be paid in
certain cases, such as if the horse follows the winner over the finish line in excess of a
specified time.
Q5-34 What is the special participation allowance?
A. This is an allowance paid to owners of horses entered in races. It is determined inaccordance with the category of the race. However, in some cases the allowance may
be increased or reduced in value or not paid at all according to the race conditions.
Q5-35 What is the broodmare owner’s bonus?
A. To maintain high-quality racehorse resources, this bonus is awarded to domestic
breeding farms or owners who are currently registered with the JRA, with the aim ofencouraging continuous ownership and purchase of superior broodmares.
When a Thoroughbred finishes in 1st to 5th place in a race, the bonus is awarded
to the breeder or JRA-registered owner who owned the horse’s dam at the time thehorse was born and was registered as the breeder in the Japanese Stud Book. To earn
the bonus, the said breeder must still have the necessary facilities for breeding andstabling Thoroughbreds, as well as the facilities caring for mares for the purpose of
breeding, and must still be engaged in breeding Thoroughbreds, and the said ownermust still be registered with the JRA. However, no payment is made when the horsein question is a foreign-bred horse.
Because an investigation period is required, it takes approximately 1-2 months
following a race for the broodmare owner’s bonus to be awarded.
Q5-36 What is the prize money paid to the trainer, jockey and stable personnel?
A. This is an amount presented by an owner to the supervising trainer, jockey andother stable-related personnel as a reward when a horse entrusted to the trainer by theowner has won prize money in a race.
Q5-37 How is prize money paid?
A. All race prize money and other earnings are transferred in yen to a Japanese bankaccount designated by the owner in advance. Transfers are normally made by the23

Friday following the race, and a remittance notice is also sent to the Liaison Officer
in Japan. At the time of transfer, the prize money to be paid to the trainer, jockey andstable personnel is deducted in advance.
The bank account designated for transfers must be in the name of the owner.
Please contact the JRA Owner Registration Section about any change in thedesignated bank account and other related matters.
Q5-38 Can prize money be transferred to an overseas bank account?
A. In principle, transfers can only be made to a Japanese bank account in the owner’sname. (A Japanese branch of a foreign bank is also possible.) The same applies whena JRA owner enters a foreign-trained horse in an international exchange race.
For more information on how to open an account, please contact a Japanese bankdirectly.
Q5-39 What is the system of taxation on prize money and other earnings?
A. The Japanese tax laws apply to race prize money and other earnings received inJapan by non-resident owners. Determining whether such earnings are subject todomestic taxation depends on the nature of the owner’s activities in Japan, such aswhether the owner has an agent or properties in Japan, including horse farms andoffices. Also, there may be differences in tax status due to tax treaties between Japanand the owner’s country of residence. For further details, please check with yourlocal tax office through your Liaison Officer. (If the owner has an office or otherfacilities in Japan, the office for tax payment is the local tax office. In all other cases,
it is the Kojimachi Tax Office in Tokyo’s Chiyoda-ku.)
Q5-40 What prizes does the owner receive?
A. The owners of winning horses of all races will be presented prizes, and will begiven a commemorative DVD recording of the race. If the owner is not present at the
racecourse in person, these prizes are handed to or sent to the Liaison Officer inJapan.
Q5-41 Is prize money also subject to tax?
A. Under Japan’s tax law, prize money and related prizes received in Japan by a nonresident owner are also subject to domestic taxation when the owner’s racing prize
money and other earnings inside Japan are deemed to be subject to taxation.
For prizes awarded in JRA races, a list for the previous year is sent to Liaison
Officers around the end of January every year.

24

6．Attending the Races
Q6-1 What areas may I enter at racecourses during a race meeting?
A. You may enter racecourses free of charge on presentation of your owner’s ID
badge. You may also use the owners’ car park.
In addition to the general area, owners may enter the Racecourse Office and thestable area. The pre-parade ring can only be entered when your horse is due to run in
the race. You will be required to present your owner’s ID badge.
Owners and their Liaison Officers wishing to enter these areas should follow the
instructions of racecourse personnel.
Q6-2 Can Liaison Officers freely enter racecourses?
A. Liaison Officers can enter all areas accessible by owners. However, they may not
use the owners’ car park.
Q6-3

Regarding commemorative photographs with the winning horseA.
If your horse wins a race, you are permitted to take commemorative
photographs. Photo sessions usually take place in the winner’s circle (or on the track
for some races), where the owner and accompanying persons, together with thetrainer and other staff members, have pictures taken with the winning horse. In thecase of stakes races, an award ceremony is held after the photo session.
Liaison Officers may represent owners at both the commemorative photo session
and the award ceremony.
Q6-4 Are there award ceremonies for graded races and stakes races?
A.
Ceremonies are usually held in the winner’s circle (or, in wet weather,sometimes inside the stand), where awards are presented to the owner as well as thetrainer, jockey, groom and so on.
Moreover, for GI races, J-GI races and the most distinguished graded races at
each racecourse, the awards ceremony is held on the track. For the “breeder” award,
it is not the broodmare owner but a representative of the breeding farm who takes
the podium and receives an award.
Incidentally, there is no custom of asking owners to make speeches or giveinterviews at awards ceremonies.
Q6-5 Where can I find information about horse racing?
A.
Materials and books related to horse racing can be found at Gate J. in Tokyo
and Osaka, where computers are also available to view and search for racingrelated material on the JRA Website, other racing Websites, such as JRA-VAN, and
JRA Racing Viewer. Also, the Equine Museum located in Negishi Horse Racing
Memorial Park in Yokohama, the birthplace of modern horse racing in Japan, offers
25

resources and exhibits about people, horses, and horse racing. And, at the JRA
Racing Museum at Tokyo Racecourse, you can learn about the system and historyof horse racing while enjoying the latest in simulation and video equipment.
Please see the Websites for opening times and other details.
◎Website
Gate J. http://gatej.jp
Equine Museum of Japan http://www.bajibunka.jrao.ne.jp/uma/index.php
JRA Racing Museum http://www.bajibunka.jrao.ne.jp/keiba/index.php■Gate J. (Tokyo) Hibiya Fort Tower B1F
Nishi-Shimbashi 1-1-1, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003
Tel: (03) 6459-0803■Gate J. (Osaka)
WINS Umeda B Bldg., 1st floor,
Shibata 2-2-33 Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 530-0012
Tel: (06) 6147-2621■Equine Museum of Japan
Negishi Horseracing Memorial Park
Negishi-dai 1-3, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 231-0853
Tel: (045) 662-7581■JRA Racing Museum
1-1 Hiyoshi-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 183-8550(on the grounds of Tokyo Racecourse)
Tel: (042) 314-5800
Q6-6 Where can I find information about JRA racing on the Internet?
A. The JRA Website has a great deal of useful information for enjoying JRA races;
race cards, race results, payouts and other information on race meets, as well as a
guide to the JRA facilities, FAQs, and various data files. If you wish to access thisinformation, please check out the JRA Websites listed below.
There is also a JRA application available for smartphones.
Those wishing to find detailed race data can subscribe to the JRA-VAN site.
JRA Website(computers) https://jra.jp/(smartphones) https://sp.jra.jp/

26JRA application(iPhone)(Android)

JRA-VAN Website (Paid service)https://jra-van.jp/

7．Racehorse Registration Cancellation
Q7-1 What happens to a racehorse after its registration is cancelled?
A. When a horse is no longer registered with the JRA, it must be removed from theJRA facilities. Where the horse will be sent is decided together by the owner andtrainer. In addition to cases of transferring to NAR (municipal government racing),
horses are also sent to breeding farms or riding clubs, etc.
Q7-2 How do I register and race my horse with the NAR?
A. The JRA and the NAR (municipal government racing) are separate entities and areorganized different, though both register owners and horses, and issue licenses fortrainers and jockeys. Therefore, if you wish to register your horse with NAR, youwill need to obtain owner registration with NAR.
If you wish to transfer your horse to NAR (municipal government racing), theconditions differ depending on the organizing body. Some of the main conditions are:
- The total amount of earnings is over a specified amount. (The method for
calculating earnings differs depending on the organizing body.)- The horse’s age does not exceed the standard.
- The number of penalties due to bad starts, nosebleeds, time over, and so on does notexceed the standard.
For further details, please contact the organizing body to which you wish to transfer
your horse.

8．Studhorses and broodmares
Q8-1 What is the procedure for when an active racehorse becomes a breeding horse?
A. Horses are not permitted to be used simultaneously for racing and breeding. Whena racehorse is to be used for breeding, the horse must be removed from the JRA orNAR (municipal government racing) register. Broodmares must be thus registered27

with JAIRS. Stallions must also follow this procedure, but must additionally undergo
breeding stock inspections carried out by prefectural authorities and the National
Livestock Breeding Center (NLBC). For further details, please contact the following.
The Japan Association for International Racing and Stud Book (JAIRS):
c/o JRA Shimbashi Bunkan Bldg.,
4-5-4 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004
Tel: 03-3434-5315

9．Racing Connections
Q9-1 Who are the people connected with racing and what are their roles?
A. Many people with a wide variety of roles take part in horse racing, those who
own and run racehorses, those who feed, train, familiarize and care for the horses at
the racetracks and the Miho and Ritto training centers, and the trainers who handle
all matters related to racehorses. Then there are the stable staff and training assistants
who carry out the instructions of the trainers, and the jockeys, who not only ride thehorses in races but also handle much of the day-to-day training. In addition to thepersons directly involved in horse racing, is a wide variety of people working inhorse-racing-related jobs, including those involved in the production and training of
racehorses, and the employees of the JRA, the organization that controls andorganizes the horse racing.
Q9-2 How many owners are registered with the JRA?
A. As of January 1, 2024, there were 2,795 registered owners, of which 371 were
corporations, 55 private groups (syndicates).
Q9-3 I would like to use a pseudonym as my owner’s name. Is that possible?
A. As a rule, a name other than the owner’s real name cannot be used to register theowner’s name. The real name will also appear in the Racing Program and in the race
result. However, celebrities, authors and others who are widely recognized by a stage
name or pen name are, at times, allowed to use that name.
If one wishes to use a name other than one’s real name, an application must be
submitted to the Miho or Ritto Training Center by the appointed trainer, along with anassumed name fee of 5,000 yen.

10．Racehorse injuries
Q10-1 What happens if a horse is injured during racing or training?
A. The horse will receive appropriate treatment according to the injury of symptomsof the illness at a racehorse clinic (See Q10-2). In the event of a serious injury or28

illness such as a fracture or pneumonia, there are clinics where a horse can beadmitted for treatment or to undergo surgery. If long-term rest is necessary due to a
musculoskeletal problem, the horse may receive rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation
Research Center and return to races.
Racehorse accidents that occur at JRA facilities are eligible for a racehorse injury
consolation payment issued by the JRA Owners’ Mutual Association. (See Q10-3)
Q10-2 What is a racehorse clinic?
A. Racehorse clinics offering medical treatment and shoeing services can be found ateach racecourse, as well as at the Miho and Ritto Training Centers. Both training
centers are equipped with the latest testing equipment and operating rooms, and areequipped to handle serious illnesses. Fees are collected through trainers and based onnationally unified standards.
We also engage in work related to fair horse racing, which is the foundation ofhorse racing, and from the standpoint of veterinary medicine, we perform physicalexaminations on racehorses and control prohibited drugs.
Furthermore, we can carry out quarantine work such as disinfection andvaccinations to prevent the spread of infectious diseases at the training centers, where
racehorses are housed together. Among these, quarantine before entering the training
center stables is the most important work in preventing the introduction of pathogens.
Thus, in order to be admitted to the JRA facilities, horses must undergo stable entry
quarantine regardless of whether they are new to the stable or returning to the stable.
In addition to the JRA clinic, there are also private veterinarians who provide
medical care at the Miho and Ritto Training Centers.
Q10-3 What is racehorse injury consolation payment?
A. This refers to compensation paid to the owner of a racehorse registered with the
JRA in the event of an unforeseen accident occurring within JRA facilities. The
amount of compensation paid varies depending on whether the horse is racing or intraining, and on the severity of the illness. Amounts are set out in the regulations of
the Japan Racing Association Owners' Mutual Association.
The Japan Racing Association Owners' Mutual Association also provides
assistance for medical expenses and farrier costs. For more information, pleasecontact us at the addresses listed below.
JRA Owners’ Mutual Association:
3rd Floor, No. 6 Toyokaiji Building, 4-7-2 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004
Tel: (03) 5472-2680
Miho Branch: Miho Training Center, 2500-2 Oaza, Mikoma,
Miho-mura, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-0493
Tel: (029) 885-2111 (Training Center general line)
29

Ritto Branch: Ritto Training Center, 1028 Misono, Ritto-shi, Shiga 520-3085
Tel: (077) 558-0101 (Training Center general line)
Reference: Addresses of JRA racecourses and other facilities
Name

Kansai Media andPublicity Office
Equestrian Park
Equestrian Park
Utsunomiya OfficeHorse Racing School
Equine ResearchInstitute
Rehabilitation ResearchCenterHidaka Training andResearch Center
Miyazaki Yearling
Training Farm

Address
1-1-1 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 105-0003
19F, Aqua Dojima NBF Tower, 1-4-16 Dojimahama,
Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 530-0004
2-1-1 Kami-Yoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8523
321-4 Tokami-cho, Utsunomiya-shi,
Tochigi 320-0856
835-1 Ne, Shiroi-shi, Chiba 270-1431
1400-4 Shiba, Shimotsuke-shi,
Tochigi 329-0412
71 Uenohara, Joban Shiratorimachi, Iwaki-shi,
Fukushima 972-8325
535-13 Nishicha, Urakawa-cho,
Urakawa-gun, Hokkaido 057-0171
2347 Ohara, Hanagashima-cho, Miyazaki-shi,
Miyazaki 880-0036

Ritto Training Center

1028 Misono, Ritto-shi, Shiga 520-3085

Head Office

Miho Training Center
Sapporo Racecourse
Hakodate Racecourse
Fukushima Racecourse
Niigata Racecourse

2500-2 Oaza, Mikoma, Miho-mura, Inashiki-gun,Ibaraki 300-0493
16-1-1 Nishi, Kita 16-Jo, Chuo-ku,
Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 060-0016
12-2 Komaba-cho, Hakodate-shi,
Hokkaido 042-8585
9-23 Matsunami-cho, Fukushima-shi,
Fukushima 960-8114
3490 Sasayama, Kita-ku, Niigata-shi,
Niigata 950-3301

Tel.
03-3591-5251
06-7636-2860
03-3429-5101
028-647-0650
047-491-0333
0285-44-0090
0246-43-3185
0146-28-1211
0985-25-3448
077-558-0101
029-885-2111
011-726-0461
0138-53-1021
024-534-2121
025-259-3141

Nakayama Racecourse

1-1-1 Kosaku, Funabashi-shi, Chiba 273-0037

047-334-2222

Tokyo Racecourse

1-1 Hiyoshi-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 183-0024
1225 Shikita, Magome-cho, Toyoake-shi,
Aichi 470-1132
32 Yoshijima Watashibajima-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyotoshi, Kyoto 612-8265
1-1 Komano-cho, Takarazuka-shi,
Hyogo 665-0053
4-5-1 Kitagata, Kokura-Minami-ku, Kitakyushu-shi,
Fukuoka 802-0841

042-363-3141

Chukyo Racecourse
Kyoto Racecourse
Hanshin Racecourse
Kokura Racecourse

30052-623-2001
075-631-3131
0798-51-7151
093-962-3236