Japan Cup Dirt and Japan Cup

The best horses from around the country and around the world converge on Tokyo this weekend

Jockey Yutaka Take rides Time Paradox to victory at 2004’s Japan Cup Dirt courtesy of the Japan Racing Association

Autumn is the time of year when Japan’s horse-racing scene goes flat-out with big-name, big-purse turns around the turf at Nakayama, Tokyo and Kyoto racecourses. This weekend, Tokyo Racecourse offers the best chance to see some of the world’s top players in the thoroughbred business, both equine and human. November 26 and 27 will see two of the racing year’s biggest international events: the Japan Cup Dirt and the Japan Cup, respectively. It’s a weekend to scrape together some cash, take the Keio or Musashino line out to Fuchu, plunk down the ¥200 entrance fee and hope you’ll get lucky.

In recent years, Japan’s sky-high purses as well as a general opening of races to horses based abroad have contributed to a marked increase in interest from overseas. More and more horses are being asked to make the long trip to Japan to compete against the locals. Foreign jocks here on three-month licenses have also become a common sight aboard Japan-based horses.

For the wagering fan, the unfamiliar names, racing and riding styles greatly complicate the decision-making process. Will a top-level foreign jock have what it takes to bring out the best in a local second-best?

Will a foreign horse take well to the hard Japanese turf? Will the long trip, quarantine, new feed, new water and unfamiliar stables take their toll on champions from abroad? Are the foreigners here for the win or just for a free ride? Though such questions are being considered more frequently throughout the entire year, they’ve always been the topic of conversation in November—a kind of Japan Cup tradition.

Started 25 years ago to help raise the level of Japan’s racing, the Japan Cup contributed mightily to Japanese racing. Japan’s horsemen watched and learned and imitated training methods, shoeing methods, riding and racing tactics. And they were apt pupils. The race was initially a shoo-in for the foreign contenders, with overseas horses dominating the winner’s circle for eight of the first ten years. This is not the case anymore. The tables turned in 1992, when Japan’s Tokai Teio put an end to a six-year winning streak by the outsiders, and Japan went on to win eight of the next 12 races.

Now, foreigners no longer regard the Japan Cup as an easy win. This change in perspective, as well as a number of other factors, has unfortunately resulted in fewer champions from abroad making the long and at times arduous trip to Japan. The risk, despite the trip being free for all involved, still comes with dangers. Nonetheless, efforts by the Japan Racing Association do succeed in bringing in Group 1 winners, guaranteeing two days of exciting racing. The names of world-renowned foreign riders pepper the racing program throughout the day till the main event, just after 3:30 pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

Among the equine lineup of this year’s Japan Cup Dirt—a 2,100-meter event carrying first-place money of 130 million yen—is likely to be Eccentric from the UK and two American runners, including this year’s Hollywood Gold Cup winner, Lava Man. The Japan Cup is looking to have six foreign participants in what will likely be a 16-strong field—three UK runners, two from the US and one representative from France. Highlighting the lineup are last year’s Arc winner, Bago, and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf winner, Better Talk Now. Ouija Board, a 4-year-old filly, was winner last year and runner-up this year in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, as well as winner of last year’s Irish Oaks. Japan will be fielding some of its best, including the Emperor’s Cup winner, Heavenly Romance, and last year’s Japan Cup winner and Horse of the Year, Zenno Rob Roy. First place is worth ¥250 million.

The Japan Cup Dirt (Nov 26) and the Japan Cup (Nov 27) take place at 10am at Tokyo Racecourse. Doors open at 7:20am, and horses are expected to come out for work at 7:45am. See sports listings for details.

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