A list of notable flat horse races which take place annually in Japan. Except for the Tokyo Daishoten, all graded races are operated Japan Racing Association, including all conditions races which currently hold Grade 1, 2 or 3 status.[1] In Japanese, it is called 重賞 (Jyūshō), lit Big race.
Grade 1
Month | Race Name | Racecourse | Dist. (m) | Age/Sex | 2024 winner (2023 winner in italics) | 2023 win prize |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
February | February Stakes | Tokyo (dirt)[a] | 1,600 | 4yo+ | Lemon Pop | ¥120,000,000 |
March | Takamatsunomiya Kinen | Chukyo[b][c][d] | 1,200 | 4yo+ | First Force | ¥170,000,000 |
March | Ōsaka Hai | Hanshin[e][f] | 2,000 | 4yo+ | Jack d'Or | ¥200,000,000 |
April | Oka Sho | Hanshin[e][f][g] | 1,600 | 3yo f | Liberty Island | ¥140,000,000 |
April | Satsuki Shō | Nakayama[h][i][j] | 2,000 | 3yo c&f | Sol Oriens | ¥200,000,000 |
April | Tenno Sho (spring) | Kyoto[k][l] | 3,200 | 4yo+ | Justin Palace | ¥220,000,000 |
May | NHK Mile Cup | Tokyo | 1,600 | 3yo c&f | Champagne Color | ¥130,000,000 |
May | Victoria Mile | Tokyo | 1,600 | 4yo+ f | Songline | ¥130,000,000 |
May | Yushun Himba | Tokyo[m][n] | 2,400 | 3yo f | Liberty Island | ¥150,000,000 |
May | Tōkyō Yūshun | Tokyo[o] | 2,400 | 3yo c&f | Tastiera | ¥300,000,000 |
June | Yasuda Kinen | Tokyo[p] | 1,600 | 3yo+ | Songline | ¥180,000,000 |
June | Takarazuka Kinen | Hanshin[f][q][r][s] | 2,200 | 3yo+ | Equinox | ¥220,000,000 |
September | Sprinters Stakes | Nakayama[t][u][v] | 1,200 | 3yo+ | Mama Cocha | ¥170,000,000 |
October | Shūka Sho | Kyoto[l] | 2,000 | 3yo f | Liberty Island | ¥110,000,000 |
October | Kikuka-shō | Kyoto[l] | 3,000 | 3yo c&f | Durezza | ¥200,000,000 |
October | Tenno Sho (autumn) | Tokyo[p][w] | 2,000 | 3yo+ | Equinox | ¥220,000,000 |
November | Queen Elizabeth II Cup | Kyoto[b][x] | 2,200 | 3yo+ f | Brede Weg | ¥130,000,000 |
November | Mile Championship | Kyoto[x] | 1,600 | 3yo+ | Namur | ¥180,000,000 |
November | Japan Cup | Tokyo[w] | 2,400 | 3yo+ | Equinox | ¥500,000,000 |
December | Champions Cup | Chukyo (dirt)[y][z][aa] | 1,800 | 3yo+ | Lemon Pop | ¥120,000,000 |
December | Hanshin Juvenile Fillies | Hanshin[ab]ac | 1,600 | 2yo f | Ascoli Piceno | ¥65,000,000 |
December | Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes | Hanshin[ad] | 1,600 | 2yo c&f | Jantar Mantar | ¥70,000,000 |
December | Arima Kinen | Nakayama | 2,500 | 3yo+ c&f | Do Deuce | ¥500,000,000 |
December | Hopeful Stakes | Nakayama[ae][af] | 2,000 | 2yo c&f | Regaleira | ¥70,000,000 |
December | Tokyo Daishōten | Ohi (dirt) | 2,000 | 3yo+ | Ushba Tesoro | ¥100,000,000 |
a The 2003 running took place at Nakayama while Tokyo was closed for redevelopment.
b The 1979 running took place at Hanshin.
c The 1993 running took place at Kyoto.
d The 2011 running took place at Hanshin while Chukyo was closed for redevelopment.
e The 1991 running took place at Kyoto while Hanshin was closed for redevelopment.
f The 1995 running took place at Kyoto while Hanshin was closed due to 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake.
g The 1939-1943 runnings took place at Nakayama, the 1944 running took place at Tokyo and the 1947, 1948 and 1949 runnings took place at Kyoto as Hanshin had not finished construction.
h The 1939-1942 runnings took place at Yokohama.
i The 1943, 1944, 1947, 1948, 1956, 1963, 1964, 1974, 1976 and 1988 runnings took place at Tokyo.
j The 2011 running took place at Tokyo while Nakayama was closed due to 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
k The 1994 running took place at Hanshin.
l The 2021 and 2022 runnings took place at Hanshin while Kyoto was closed for redevelopment.
m The 1938-1942 runnings took place at Hanshin.
n The 1943 running took place at Kyoto.
o The 1932 and 1933 runnings took place at Meguro.
p The 1967 running took place at Nakayama.
q The 1966, 1969, 1974 and 1976 runnings took place at Kyoto.
r The 1980 running took place at Chukyo.
s The 1991 and 2006 runnings took place at Kyoto while Hanshin was closed for redevelopment.
t The 1980 running took place at Tokyo.
u The 2002 running took place at Niigata.
v The 2014 running took place at Niigata while Nakayama was closed for redevelopment.
w The 2002 running took place at Nakayama while Tokyo was closed for redevelopment.
x The 2020, 2021 and 2022 runnings took place at Hanshin while Kyoto was closed for redevelopment.
y The 2000, 2001 and 2003-2007 runnings took place at Tokyo.
z The 2002 running took place at Nakayama.
aa The 2008-2012 runnings took place at Hanshin.
ab The 1956 and 1980 runnings took place at Kyoto.
ac The 1990 running took place at Kyoto while Hanshin was closed for redevelopment.
ad The 1949-2013 runnings took place at Nakayama.
ae The 1984-1989 and 1991-2013 runnings took place at Hanshin.
Grade 2
Month | Race Name | Racecourse | Dist. (m) | Age/Sex | 2024 winner (2023 winner in italics) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | Nikkei Shinshun Hai | Kyoto | 2,400 | 4yo+ | Blow The Horn |
January | American Jockey Club Cup | Nakayama | 2,200 | 4yo+ | North Bridge |
January | Tokai Stakes | Chukyo (dirt) | 1,800 | 4yo+ | Promised Warrior |
February | Kyoto Kinen | Kyoto | 2,200 | 4yo+ | Do Deuce |
February | Nakayama Kinen | Nakayama | 1,800 | 4yo+ | Hishi Iguazu |
March | Tulip Sho | Hanshin | 1,600 | 3yo f | Mozu Meimei |
March | Yayoi Sho | Nakayama | 2,000 | 3yo | Tastiera |
March | Fillies' Revue | Hanshin | 1,400 | 3yo f | Sing That Song |
March | Kinko Sho | Chukyo | 2,000 | 4yo+ | Prognosis |
March | Spring Stakes | Nakayama | 1,800 | 3yo c&f | Bellagio Opera |
March | Hanshin Daishoten | Hanshin | 3,000 | 4yo+ | Justin Palace |
March | Nikkei Sho | Nakayama | 2,500 | 4yo+ | Titleholder |
April | New Zealand Trophy | Nakayama | 1,600 | 3yo c&f | Eeyan |
April | Hanshin Himba Stakes | Hanshin | 1,600 | 4yo+ f | Sound Vivace |
April | Flora Stakes | Tokyo | 2,000 | 3yo f | Golden Hind |
April | Yomiuri Milers Cup | Kyoto | 1,600 | 4yo+ | Schnell Meister |
April | Aoba Sho | Tokyo | 2,400 | 3yo | Skilfing |
May | Kyoto Shimbun Hai | Kyoto | 2,200 | 3yo | Satono Glanz |
May | Keio Hai Spring Cup | Tokyo | 1,400 | 4yo+ | Red Mon Reve |
May | Meguro Kinen | Tokyo | 2,500 | 4yo+ | Heat On Beat |
August | Sapporo Kinen | Sapporo | 2,000 | 3yo+ | Prognosis |
September | Shion Stakes | Nakayama | 2,000 | 3yo f | Moryana |
September | Centaur Stakes | Hanshin | 1,200 | 3yo+ | T M Spada |
September | Rose Stakes | Hanshin | 1,800 | 3yo f | Masked Diva |
September | St Lite Kinen | Nakayama | 2,200 | 3yo | Lebensstil |
September | Sankei Sho All Comers | Nakayama | 2,200 | 3yo+ | Rousham Park |
September | Kobe Shimbun Hai | Hanshin | 2,400 | 3yo c&f | Satono Glanz |
October | Mainichi Okan | Tokyo | 1,800 | 3yo+ | Elton Barows |
October | Kyoto Daishoten | Kyoto | 2,400 | 3yo+ | Pradaria |
October | Fuchu Himba Stakes | Tokyo | 1,800 | 3yo+ f | Divina |
October | Fuji Stakes | Tokyo | 1,600 | 3yo+ | Namur |
October | Swan Stakes | Kyoto | 1,400 | 3yo+ | Win Greatest |
November | Keio Hai Nisai Stakes | Tokyo | 1,400 | 2yo | Corazon Beat |
November | Copa Republica Argentina | Tokyo | 2,500 | 3yo+ | Zeffiro |
November | Daily Hai Nisai Stakes | Kyoto | 1,600 | 2yo | Jantar Mantar |
November | Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes | Tokyo | 1,800 | 2yo | Strauss |
November | Stayers Stakes | Nakayama | 3,600 | 3yo+ | Iron Barows |
December | Hanshin Cup | Hanshin | 1,400 | 3yo+ | Win Marvel |
Grade 3
Month | Race Name | Racecourse | Dist. (m) | Age/Sex | 2024 winner (2023 winner in italics) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | Nakayama Kimpai | Nakayama | 2,000 | 4yo+ | Licancabur |
January | Kyoto Kimpai | Kyoto | 1,600 | 4yo+ | Corepetiteur |
January | Shinzan Kinen | Kyoto | 1,600 | 3yo | Noble Roger |
January | Fairy Stakes | Nakayama | 1,600 | 3yo f | Ipheion |
January | Keisei Stakes | Nakayama | 2,000 | 3yo | Danon Decile |
January | Aichi Hai | Chukyo | 2,000 | 4yo+ f | MIkki Gorgeous |
January | Negishi Stakes | Tokyo (dirt) | 1,400 | 4yo+ | Lemon Pop |
January | Silk Road Stakes | Kyoto | 1,200 | 4yo+ | Namura Clair |
February | Tokyo Shimbun Hai | Tokyo | 1,600 | 4yo+ | Win Carnelian |
February | Kisaragi Sho | Kyoto | 1,800 | 3yo | Hrimfaxi |
February | Daily Hai Queen Cup | Tokyo | 1,600 | 3yo f | Harper |
February | Tokinominoru Kinen | Tokyo | 1,800 | 3yo | Phantom Thief |
February | Diamond Stakes | Tokyo | 3,400 | 4yo+ | Mixology |
February | Kyoto Himba Stakes | Kyoto | 1,400 | 4yo+ f | La La Christine |
February | Kokura Daishoten | Kokura | 1,800 | 4yo+ | Hindu Times |
February | Hankyu Hai | Hanshin | 1,400 | 4yo+ | Aguri |
March | Ocean Stakes | Nakayama | 1,200 | 4yo+ | Vento Voce |
March | Nakayama Himba Stakes | Nakayama | 1,800 | 4yo+ f | Through Seven Seas |
March | Flower Cup | Nakayama | 1,800 | 3yo f | Emu |
March | Falcon Stakes | Chukyo | 1,400 | 3yo | Tamamo Black Tie |
March | Mainichi Hai | Hanshin | 1,800 | 3yo | Season Rich |
March | March Stakes | Nakayama (dirt) | 1,800 | 4yo+ | Hayabusa Nandekun |
March | Lord Derby Challenge Trophy | Nakayama | 1,600 | 4yo+ | Industria |
April | Arlington Cup | Hanshin | 1,600 | 3yo | Obamburumai |
April | Antares Stakes | Hanshin (dirt) | 1,800 | 4yo+ | Promised Warrior |
April | Fukushima Himba Stakes | Fukushima | 1,800 | 4yo+ f | Stellaria |
April | Niigata Daishoten | Niigata | 2,000 | 4yo+ | Karate |
April | Unicorn Stakes | Kyoto (dirt) | 1,900 | 3yo | Perriere |
May | Heian Stakes | Kyoto (dirt) | 1,900 | 4yo+ | Gloria Mundi |
May | Aoi Stakes | Kyoto | 1,200 | 3yo | Mozu Meimei |
June | Naruo Kinen | Hanshin | 2,000 | 3yo+ | Boccherini |
June | Epsom Cup | Tokyo | 1,800 | 3yo+ | Justin Cafe |
June | Mermaid Stakes | Hanshin | 2,000 | 3yo+ f | Big Ribbon |
June | Hakodate Sprint Stakes | Hakodate | 1,200 | 3yo+ | Kimiwa Queen |
June | Radio Nikkei Sho | Fukushima | 1,800 | 3yo | Elton Barows |
June | CBC Sho | Chukyo | 1,200 | 3yo+ | Jasper Krone |
July | Tanabata Sho | Fukushima | 2,000 | 3yo+ | Seiun Hades |
July | Procyon Stakes | Chukyo (dirt) | 1,400 | 3yo+ | Don Frankie |
July | Hakodate Kinen | Hakodate | 2,000 | 3yo+ | Rousham Park |
July | Chukyo Kinen | Chukyo | 1,600 | 3yo+ | Selberg |
July | Hakodate Nisai Stakes | Hakodate | 1,200 | 2yo | Seltsam |
July | Ibis Summer Dash | Niigata | 1,000 | 3yo+ | All At Once |
July | Queen Stakes | Sapporo | 1,800 | 3yo+ f | Dura |
August | Leopard Stakes | Niigata (dirt) | 1,800 | 3yo | Riot Grrrl |
August | Kokura Kinen | Kokura | 2,000 | 3yo+ | Echt |
August | Sekiya Kinen | Niigata | 1,600 | 3yo+ | Avverare |
August | Elm Stakes | Sapporo (dirt) | 1,700 | 3yo+ | Sekifu |
August | Kitakyushu Kinen | Kokura | 1,200 | 3yo+ | Jasper Krone |
August | Niigata Nisai Stakes | Niigata | 1,600 | 2yo | Ascoli Piceno |
August | Keeneland Cup | Sapporo | 1,200 | 3yo+ | Namura Clair |
August | Sapporo Nisai Stakes | Sapporo | 1,800 | 2yo | Set Up |
September | Niigata Kinen | Niigata | 2,000 | 3yo+ | Nocking Point |
September | Kokura Nisai Stakes | Kokura | 1,200 | 2yo | Ask One Time |
September | Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap | Nakayama | 1,600 | 3yo+ | Soul Rush |
September | Sirius Stakes | Hanshin (dirt) | 2,000 | 3yo+ | Hagino Alegrias |
October | Saudi Arabia Royal Cup | Tokyo | 1,600 | 2yo | Gonbade Qabus |
October | Artemis Stakes | Tokyo | 1,600 | 2yo f | Cervinia |
November | Fantasy Stakes | Kyoto | 1,400 | 2yo f | Culture Day |
November | Miyako Stakes | Kyoto (dirt) | 1,800 | 3yo+ | Seraphic Call |
November | Musashino Stakes | Tokyo (dirt) | 1,600 | 3yo+ | Dry Stout |
November | Fukushima Kinen | Fukushima | 2,000 | 3yo+ | Ho O Emmy's |
November | Kyoto Nisai Stakes | Kyoto | 2,000 | 2yo | Shin Emperor |
November | Keihan Hai | Kyoto | 1,200 | 3yo+ | Toshin Macau |
November | Challenge Cup | Hanshin | 2,000 | 3yo+ | Belaggio Opera |
December | Chunichi Shimbun Hai | Chukyo | 2,000 | 3yo+ | Yamanin Salvum |
December | Capella Stakes | Nakayama (dirt) | 1,200 | 3yo+ | T M Tokkyu |
December | Turquoise Stakes | Nakayama | 1,600 | 3yo+ f | Fierce Pride |
Listed
From 2019, Japan Racing Association introduced new "Listed" category, prize value is higher than normal open race.
Month | Race Name | Racecourse | Dist. (m) | Age/Sex |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | Junior Cup | Kyoto | 1,600 | 3yo |
January | New Year Stakes | Nakayama | 1,600 | 4yo+ |
January | Kobai Stakes | Kyoto | 1,400 | 3yof |
January | Yodo Dankyori Stakes | Kyoto | 1,200 | 4yo+ |
January | Wakagoma Stakes | Kyoto | 2,000 | 3yo |
January | Subaru Stakes | Kyoto | 1,400 | 4yo+ |
January | Crocus Stakes | Tokyo | 1,400 | 3yo |
January | Shirafuji Stakes | Tokyo | 2,000 | 4yo+ |
February | Rakuyo Stakes | Kyoto | 1,600 | 4yo+ |
February | Hyacinth Stakes | Tokyo | 1,600 | 3yo |
February/March | Niigawa Stakes | Hanshin | 2,000 | 4yo+ |
February/March | Sumire Stakes | Hanshin | 2,200 | 3yo |
March | Osaka Jo Stakes | Hanshin | 1,800 | 3yo |
March | Anemone Stakes | Nakayama | 1,600 | 3yo |
April | Wasurerunagusa Sho | Hanshin | 2,000 | 3yof |
April/May | Swept Pea Stakes | Tokyo | 1,800 | 3yof |
May | Principal Stakes | Tokyo | 2,000 | 3yo |
May | Shirayuri Stakes | Kyoto | 1,800 | 3yo |
June | Yoneko Stakes | Hanshin | 1,600 | 3yo+ |
July/August | Sapporo Nikkei Open | Sapporo | 2,600 | 3yo+ |
September/October | Port Island Stakes | Hanshin | 1,600 | 3yo+ |
October | Opal Sprint Stakes | Kyoto | 1,200 | 3yo+ |
October | Green Channel Stakes | Tokyo | 1,400 | 3yo+ |
October | October Stakes | Tokyo | 2,000 | 3yo+ |
October | Shinetsu Stakes | Niigata | 1,400 | 3yo+ |
October | Ivy Stakes | Tokyo | 1,800 | 2yo |
October | Lumiere Autumn Dash | Niigata | 1,000 | 3yo+ |
October | Brazil Cup | Tokyo | 2,100 | 3yo+ |
October | Hagi Stakes | Kyoto | 1,800 | 2yo |
November | Capital Stakes | Tokyo | 1,600 | 3yo+ |
December | December Stakes | Nakayama | 1,800 | 3yo+ |
Other Open Races
Month | Race Name | Racecourse | Dist. (m) | Age/Sex |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | Manyo Stakes | Nakayama | 3,000 | 4yo+ |
January | January Stakes | Nakayama | 1,200 | 4yo+ |
February | Kinpai | Ohi | 2,600 | 4yo |
August | Takeyoriwake Sho | Kochi Racecourse | 1,400 | 3yo+ |
August | Hidamari Sho | Kokura | 1,200 | 2yo Kyushu bred |
NAR Graded Races (As listed race in international)
Month | Race Name | Racecourse | Dist. (m) | Age/Sex |
---|---|---|---|---|
March | Diolite Kinen | Funabashi | 2,400 | 4yo+ |
April | Kawasaki Kinen | Kawasaki | 2,100 | 4yo+ |
April | Hyōgo Joō Hai | Sonoda | 1,870 | 4yo+f |
April | Haneda Hai | Ohi | 1,800 | 3yo |
May | Kashiwa Kinen | Funabashi | 1,600 | 4yo+ |
June | Tokyo Derby | Ohi | 2,000 | 3yo |
June | Sakitama Hai | Urawa | 1,400 | 3yo+ |
June | Teio Sho | Ohi | 2,000 | 4yo+ |
September | Nippon TV Hai | Funabashi | 1,800 | 3yo+ |
October | Japan Dirt Classic | Ohi | 2,000 | 3yo |
October | Mile Championship Nambu Hai | Morioka | 1,600 | 3yo+ |
November | Japan Breeding farm's Cup Ladies' Classic | Various | 1,800 (may be changed) | 3yo+f |
November | Japan Breeding farms' Cup Sprint | Various | 1,200 (may be changed) | 3yo+ |
November | Japan Breeding farms' Cup Classic | Various | 2,000 (may be changed) | 3yo+ |
November | Japan Breeding farms' Nisai Yushun | Monbetsu | 1,800 | 2yo |
December | Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun | Kawasaki | 1,600 | 2yo |
Former race
Last run | Race Name | Racecourse | Dist. (m) | Age/Sex |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mar 1993 | Pegasus Stakes | Hanshin | 1,600 | 3yo |
March 2005 | Crystal Cup | Nakayama | 1,200 | 3yo |
April 2004 | Kabutoyama Kinen | Fukushima | 1,800 | 4yo+ sire domestic bred |
May 1999 | Kyoto Yonsai Tokubetsu | Kyoto | 2,000 | 3yo |
Sep 1993 | Sapphire Stakes | Hanshin | 1,800 | 3yof |
October 1975 | Victoria Cup | Kyoto | 2,400 | 3yof |
References
- ↑ "List of JRA Graded Races 2019|List of JRA Graded Races|Horse Racing in Japan". Horse Racing in Japan.