The Japan Cup Grade 1 Stakes Race

The Japan Cup (G1) stands as one of the most esteemed events in the global horse racing calendar, showcasing the finest thoroughbreds from Japan and around the world. This prestigious stakes race, held annually, has carved out a significant place in the hearts of racing enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. With a rich history, remarkable records, and a roster of notable winners, the Japan Cup is more than just a race; it is a celebration of equine excellence and cultural heritage.

History of the Japan Cup

The Japan Cup was inaugurated in 1981, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of horse racing in Japan. The race was conceived as part of a broader initiative to elevate Japan’s status in the international racing scene and to attract foreign competitors. The inaugural event took place on November 29, 1981, at Tokyo Racecourse, and it quickly gained recognition for its unique format and substantial prize money.

From its inception, the Japan Cup was designed as a 2,400-meter race on turf, attracting both local and international contenders. The race’s establishment coincided with Japan’s burgeoning interest in horse racing, and it was instrumental in fostering a competitive spirit among Japanese breeders and trainers. Over the years, the Japan Cup has evolved into a key fixture in the international racing calendar, drawing participants from various countries and solidifying Japan’s reputation as a premier racing destination.

The Stakes Race Format

As a Grade 1 stakes race, the Japan Cup is classified among the highest echelon of horse racing events. The race is open to thoroughbreds aged three years and older, and it is run on a left-handed turf track at Tokyo Racecourse. The Japan Cup is notable not only for its distance but also for the quality of horses it attracts. The race has a significant purse, often exceeding ¥300 million (approximately $3 million), making it one of the richest races in the world.

The Japan Cup is typically scheduled for the last Sunday in November, a strategic timing that allows it to serve as a culminating event for the racing season in Japan. The race is held on a day that often features other notable events, creating an atmosphere of excitement and celebration for fans and participants alike.

Records and Milestones

Over the years, the Japan Cup has witnessed numerous records and milestones that highlight its significance in the racing world. One of the most notable records is held by the legendary horse, Deep Impact, who won the Japan Cup in 2006. His victory not only showcased his exceptional talent but also solidified his status as one of the greatest racehorses in Japanese history. Deep Impact’s remarkable performance, along with his subsequent success as a sire, has left an indelible mark on the sport.

Another significant record was set by Almond Eye, who claimed victory in the 2018 Japan Cup. Almond Eye’s win was particularly noteworthy as she became the first filly to win the Japan Cup in over a decade, adding to her already impressive list of accomplishments. Her victory underscored the growing competitiveness of female horses in high-stakes races, further enhancing the prestige of the Japan Cup.

The race has also seen remarkable performances by international contenders. Gentildonna, a dual Japan Cup winner in 2012 and 2014, became the first filly to win the event twice, showcasing the prowess of female horses in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Her achievements have inspired a new generation of female thoroughbreds to compete at the highest levels.

Multiple Japan Cup Winners

Almond Eye (JPN): A two-time winner (2018, 2020), she is considered one of Japan’s greatest racehorses. She set a course record in her first win and, in her final race in 2020, defeated two other undefeated Japanese Triple Crown winners, Contrail and Daring Tact.
Gentildonna (JPN): The first two-time winner of the Japan Cup (2012, 2013), this champion mare also secured other major victories including the Japanese Fillies’ Triple Crown and the Dubai Sheema Classic

Other Notable Winners

Equinox (JPN): The winner of the 2023 Japan Cup, Equinox was rated the world’s highest-rated horse by the IFHA at the time and won convincingly. The 2023 Japan Cup was honored as the “Longines World’s Best Horse Race” of the year due to the quality of the field and Equinox’s performance.
Do Deuce (JPN): The 2024 winner, who secured his fifth G1 victory and gave jockey Yutaka Take his record fifth Japan Cup win.
Deep Impact (JPN): A legendary Japanese Triple Crown winner in 2005, he won the Japan Cup in 2006. He went on to become one of the world’s most dominant sires, with many of his progeny, including Gentildonna and Contrail, winning G1 races.
Contrail (JPN): The 2021 winner who, like his sire Deep Impact, completed the Japanese Triple Crown undefeated in 2020 before his Japan Cup triumph in his final start.
Kitasan Black (JPN): Won the race in 2016 and secured numerous other G1 victories, including the Tenno Sho (Spring and Autumn) and Arima Kinen.
T. M. Opera O (JPN): The 2000 winner, he was the world’s all-time leading money earner at the time of his retirement in 2001 and had an undefeated season at age four.
El Condor Pasa (JPN): His 1998 Japan Cup victory signalled a new era of Japanese dominance in international features. He is also remembered for his gallant second-place finish in the 1999 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
International Winners: Early editions of the race featured several notable international winners, including the American mare Mairzy Doates (the inaugural winner in 1981), New Zealand mare Horlicks (1989, in world record time), and British-trained Alkaased (the last international winner in 2005).

Japan Cup Grade 1 Race Winners

(Fillies and Mares)

1981: Horse – Mairzy Doates, Jockey – Cash Asmussen, Trainer – John Fulton
1982: Horse – Half Iced, Jockey – Don MacBeth, Trainer – Stanley M. Hough
1983: Horse – Stanerra, Jockey – Brian Rouse, Trainer – Frank Dunne
1984: Horse – Katsuragi Ace, Jockey – Katsuichi Nishiura, Trainer – Kazumi Domon
1985: Horse – Symboli Rudolf, Jockey – Yukio Okabe, Trainer – Yuji Nohira
1986: Horse – Jupiter Island, Jockey – Pat Eddery, Trainer – Clive Brittain
1987: Horse – Le Glorieux, Jockey – Alain Lequeux, Trainer – Robert Collet
1988: Horse – Pay the Butler, Jockey – Chris McCarron, Trainer – Robert J. Frankel
1989: Horse – Horlicks, Jockey – Lance O’Sullivan, Trainer – Dave O’Sullivan
1990: Horse – Better Loosen Up, Jockey – Michael Clarke, Trainer – David Hayes
1991: Horse – Golden Pheasant, Jockey – Gary Stevens, Trainer – Charles Whittingham
1992: Horse – Tokai Teio, Jockey – Yukio Okabe, Trainer – Shoichi Matsumoto
1993: Horse – Legacy World, Jockey – Hiroshi Kawachi, Trainer – Hideyuki Mori
1994: Horse – Marvelous Crown, Jockey – Katsumi Minai, Trainer – Makoto Osawa
1995: Horse – Lando, Jockey – Michael Roberts, Trainer – Heinz Jentzsch
1996: Horse – Singspiel, Jockey – Frankie Dettori, Trainer – Michael Stoute
1997: Horse – Pilsudski, Jockey – Michael Kinane, Trainer – Michael Stoute
1998: Horse – El Condor Pasa, Jockey – Masayoshi Ebina, Trainer – Yoshitaka Ninomiya
1999: Horse – Special Week, Jockey – Yutaka Take, Trainer – Toshiaki Shirai
2000: Horse – T. M. Opera O, Jockey – Ryuji Wada, Trainer – Ichizo Iwamoto
2001: Horse – Jungle Pocket, Jockey – Olivier Peslier, Trainer – Sakae Watanabe
2002: Horse – Falbrav, Jockey – Frankie Dettori, Trainer – Luciano d’Auria
2003: Horse – Tap Dance City, Jockey – Tetsuzo Sato, Trainer – Shozo Sasaki
2004: Horse – Zenno Rob Roy, Jockey – Olivier Peslier, Trainer – Kazuo Fujisawa
2005: Horse – Alkaased, Jockey – Frankie Dettori, Trainer – Luca Cumani
2006: Horse – Deep Impact, Jockey – Yutaka Take, Trainer – Yasuo Ikee
2007: Horse – Admire Moon, Jockey – Yasunari Iwata, Trainer – Hiroyoshi Matsuda
2008: Horse – Screen Hero, Jockey – Mirco Demuro, Trainer – Yuichi Shikato
2009: Horse – Vodka, Jockey – Christophe Lemaire, Trainer – Katsuhiko Sumii
2010: Horse – Rose Kingdom, Jockey – Yutaka Take, Trainer – Kojiro Hashiguchi
2011: Horse – Buena Vista, Jockey – Yasunari Iwata, Trainer – Hiroyoshi Matsuda
2012: Horse – Gentildonna, Jockey – Yasunari Iwata, Trainer – Sei Ishizaka
2013: Horse – Gentildonna, Jockey – Ryan Moore, Trainer – Sei Ishizaka
2014: Horse – Epiphaneia, Jockey – Christophe Soumillon, Trainer – Katsuhiko Sumii
2015: Horse – Shonan Pandora, Jockey – Kenichi Ikezoe, Trainer – Tomokazu Takano
2016: Horse – Kitasan Black, Jockey – Yutaka Take, Trainer – Hisashi Shimizu
2017: Horse – Cheval Grand, Jockey – Hugh Bowman, Trainer – Yasuo Tomomichi
2018: Horse – Almond Eye, Jockey – Christophe Lemaire, Trainer – Sakae Kunieda
2019: Horse – Suave Richard, Jockey – Oisin Murphy, Trainer – Yasushi Shono
2020: Horse – Almond Eye, Jockey – Christophe Lemaire, Trainer – Sakae Kunieda
2021: Horse – Contrail, Jockey – Yuichi Fukunaga, Trainer – Yoshito Yahagi
2022: Horse – Vela Azul, Jockey – Ryan Moore, Trainer – Kunihiko Watanabe
2023: Horse – Equinox, Jockey – Christophe Lemaire, Trainer – Tetsuya Kimura
2024: Horse – Do Deuce, Jockey – Yutaka Take, Trainer – Yasuo Tomomichi