Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victory would crown Japan's rise in the racing world But, as Yuichi Goto of the Japanese Racing Association explained, while victories in the Melbourne and Dubai World Cups were one thing, winning the Arc would be the coming of age internationally for Japanese racing. "The Arc is regarded by the world's horsemen as one of the most important races internationally," he said. The reason is not just the prize money but because the prize money brings in the best horses in the world. So it is a competitive race that finds true champions. To win the Arc would mean Japan's top horses are truly of an international standard. The Japanese have been holding horse races since the sport was introduced by British residents in Yokohama 150 years ago. The country started holding its own Derby 80 years ago and the first Japanese horse to contest races in Europe was Speed Symboli, who ran in the 1969 Arc. But the gap in class was huge and since then the Japanese breeding industry has invested heavily in foreign bloodstock. Epsom Derby winners were much sought after as stallions with Generous, Shahrastani, Commander-in-Chief and Lammtarra all having spells at stud there, while more recent stars Workforce, Harbinger and Conduit are all currently at stud in Japan. But it was a Kentucky Derby winner, Sunday Silence, who was to become Japan's equivalent of Sadler's Wells. He became the most influential sire in Japan, siring Deep Impact, who was third (subsequently disqualified) behind Rail Link in the 2006 Arc. A superstar in Japan, Deep Impact brought with him a legion of fans who, with many having a bet just for the souvenir ticket to take home, sent him off at 1-2. Deep Impact, who was out of Epsom Oaks runner-up Wind In Her Hair, is the sire of Kizuna, while Orfevre is by Stay Gold, another son of Sunday Silence. On measurements such as attendances, numbers of horses in training or even its betting turnover, which we enviously consider eye-watering, racing in Japan is not riding at an all-time high but, its horses are now unquestionably among the best in the world. The Arc could provide the crowning moment. Japanese racing's three greatest successes overseas 1998: TAIKI SHUTTLE, the Japanese Horse of the Year in 1998, came to Europe and beat its best milers in the Prix Jacques Le Marois, the principal race at Deauville. A few weeks earlier his compatriot Seeking The Pearl had won the Prix Maurice de Gheest. 2006: DELTA BLUES, described by connections as a 'lazy horse,' leads home a Japanese 1-2 in the Melbourne Cup to give jockey Yasunari Iwata his biggest success. 2011: VICTOIRE PISA, who ran in the previous year's Arc finishing seventh behind Workforce and his compatriot Nakayama Festa, won the Dubai World Cup due, in large part, to an outstanding tactical ride from Mirco Demuro.