Beginner’s Guide to the Japanese Horse Racing Industry

*Learn what you can about the equestrian sport of Japan and how the country fares against other countries in competitive stakes.*

It may come as a surprise to many people but horse racing is one of the world’s most popular sports. Japan is among the leaders of the industry with champion horses hailing from Hokkaido and winning international events abroad. If you are curious about horse racing and its state in Japan, then here is all that you need to know.

## Basic life of Japanese racehorses

Japan’s standard breed of horses is the Thoroughbred. Most horse races in the world are exclusive to this breed, especially graded stakes racing. All Japanese Thoroughbreds are bred  to race which they will continue as a career throughout their prime age. After which they will retire and move to breeding farms, stay with their owners, or move to retirement stables in Hokkaido.

Hokkaido is the perfect place for raising horses. It has vast flat lands that grow healthy grass throughout the year. Horses can run or play around, enjoying their free range. During cold weathers, the stablehands bring them inside stables. This is also where training facilities are located so racehorses have the best environment for extensive training during their horse racing campaign**.**

### Breeding

Breeding is considered Japan’s secret to producing champions. Ever since the first running of the Japan Cup in 1981, local breeding farms invested in champion studs from overseas. They’ve imported only champions from the United States, Australia, and England. Two of their most influential sires were Northern Taste from Canada and Sunday Silence from the United States.

The current generation of racehorses in the country are dominated by Sunday Silence’s progeny, Deep Impact. Northern Taste’s bloodline is also indirectly evident in both Deep Impact and the Almond Eye through his sire, Northern Dancer.

Almond Eye is the world’s record-holder for nine Grade 1 victories. Deep Impact is the previous generation’s legendary horse whose legacy is continued by so many of his foals. The most notable of which is Contrail, the one closest to emulating his success.

### Appraising

The conception of all Thoroughbred is commissioned by farmers who wish to enter the horse racing industry. However, not all of them are eligible to join the rank of champions. Many are appraised as soon as they are foaled whether they have potential or not. Those who don’t show promising athleticism are often set for lower-stakes races.

The horse prices are also determined during the appraisal. If they possess qualities that make them desirable, then farms will attempt to bid for its ownership. After purchase, the farmer decides which trainer to hire and which stakes they are willing to challenge.

### Stake racing

All official races have stakes. The size of the pot and the level of competition are determined by the race’s importance according to their category. Community races are among the lowest level with small pot prizes and a small audience. The highest stakes in racing are called graded stakes which range between G3, G2, and G1 written from lowest to highest order.

G1 stakes are always televised in Japan while racing fans from outside the country may view them through streaming services. All pot prizes can reach multi million yen in a single event. Some G1 events are open for international participants such as the Japan Cup, the most prestigious horse racing event in the country.

Horse owners’ goal is to raise their horses’ value which they earn through competing in graded stakes. Their placement dictates the amount they win from the purse. Some races have a high cutoff of up to 4th or 5th place only. Others can have prizes for all contestants but the size decreases further down the hierarchy.

Graded stakes all have prerequisites that horses have to complete to be eligible as a contestant. All races can only hold a maximum of 18 or 16 participants so G1 races have strict participation standards to ensure that only the best get to join.

### Retirement

The horse owner decides when a horse retires from racing. Some Thoroughbreds race until they are teenagers while most stop at ages 6 to 8. Champions tend to retire as early as 6 so they can continue working in the industry as either studs or broodmare. One can say that their journey begins and ends in a breeding farm.

Non-champion horses don’t have many options after retirement. Those who fail to earn any value during their horse racing campaign are moved to non-profit farms in remote sections of Hokkaido. Horses help the farms as attractions for tourists but the Japan Racing Association helps with most expenses.

## Two governing bodies in Japanese horse racing

Like all sports major leagues, stake racing needs an organizing body. There are two in Japan and the biggest of which is the Japan Racing Association (JRA). The National Association Racing (NAR) is an organization of every city with a horse racing stadium.

The JRA handles all G1 events as well as several G2 and G3 events. They also take responsibility for most of the country’s operations related to horse racing from healthcare for the horses and assistance to horse owners. Other projects of the JRA include community service and cooperation with the local government where the stadiums are located.

The NAR mostly handles the smaller events such as G3 or charity events. Many of their events are casual rather than competitive. It’s possible for horses to compete in either leagues depending on the horse owners’ choice but matchmaking is an important part of making the events

## Types of horse races in Japan

Japan has three types of horse races. The most popular of which is flat foot racing which is the same for the other countries. Next is the jump racing where the track has hurdles that horses must jump over. Lastly, there is the draft racing where the horses pull their jockeys riding a sleigh.

It also differs from the first two types by featuring draft horses rather than Thoroughbred. Horses don’t change between either types once they start their horse racing campaign. They stay in the same type of race throughout their career.