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 Japanese Horse Racing 2  
 JRA Racing 3  
 Races 3  
 Betting 8  
 Customer Services 10  
 JRA Racecourses 12  
 JRA Training Centers 16  
 Other JRA-related Facilities 19  
 NAR Racing 21  
 Races 21  
 Betting 23  
 NAR Racing Education Center 23  
 Customer Services 24  
 Racecourses 25  
 Horse Racing-Related Activities 26  
 Breeding 26  
 Promotion of Equestrian Culture, livestock industry 28  
 Participation in International Racing Conference 29  
 References 31  
 A Brief History of Horse Racing in Japan 31  
 Outline of JRA Racing and Racing by Local Governments 33  
 Life Cycle of Racehorses 34  
 Horseracing Facilities and Breeding Areas 36  
 Facts and Figures 37  
 Main Achievements of Japan Trained Horses Abroad (GI Races) 44  
 Japan Association for International Racing Stud Book (JAIRS) 46  
 Directory 47  
      
odern horse racing in Japan had its beginnings in racing events that were organized by foreign residents of Yokohama in 1862. In 1861, when Japan was about to move from the feudal system into the Meiji Restoration, foreign residents 
living in Yokohama, predominantly British, introduced the first Western-style horse racing by establishing the Yokohama Race Club to Japan. Western style horse racing was held in foreign enclaves, and hence, unfortunately, very little is known or recorded about initial era in Japan’s modern horse racing history.   At about the same time that the name of the Japanese central city was changed from Edo to Tokyo, Western-style horse racing began to be found in the major metropolitan cities across the country. In 1906, the government embarked on a policy which tacitly allowed to bet. This led to the introduction of modern horse racing featuring sales of betting tickets in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and other metropolitan cities, from which most racing operations benefited.   However, this profitable system was short lived; two years later, the government prohibited betting and instituted a system of paying direct subsidies for prize money and other horse racing expenses.  During this subsequent period of government-subsidized horse racing, prominent legislators, businessmen, as well as breeders, began active efforts to introduce a horse racing law. Eventually the government began to take proactive position to promote horse racing in order to expand breeding in Japan and to improve quality of the Japanese horses. In 1923, horse racing legislation, so greatly desired by the horse racing industry, was enacted and led to the formation of 11 racing clubs. Horse racing accompanied by the legal sale of betting tickets was thus established. Shortly thereafter, the Imperial Racing Society was established as a horse racing authority of 11 racing clubs, and was responsible for the rules of racing, which served as a model for the rules of the individual racing clubs. The Imperial Racing Society defined the registration of racing colors, the education of trainers, and the licensing of jockeys, among other horse racing functions. The Horse racing Law underwent a major revision in 1936, which saw the formation of the Japan Racing Society which legally merged the 11 racing clubs and the Imperial Racing Society in their entirety, including their facilities and horse racing functions.  This reform brought favorable account on horse racing in Japan, constituting the Japanese Derby as well as other classic races, along with a complete change and improvement in racing itself. There were also dramatic increases in the turnover as well as attendance, marking the birth of modern horse racing in Japan as it exists today. In 1941, Saint Lite became the first Triple Crown winner in Japan.  However, during the latter part of World War II, the racecourses were forced to suspend operations and the most historic of the modern racecourses, Yokohama, was commanded by the government for military use.   The termination of hostilities saw an immediate resumption of horse racing, when in 1946, Tokyo and Kyoto began holding race meetings. Also, 1947 brought a new type of betting “quinella” for the first time in Japan. In 1948, a new Horse racing Law was introduced, whereby the Japan Racing Society was abolished and under the new law, the government (the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) took total control of horse racing. Although this “government horse racing” continued much the same as before, the turnover did not increase throughout this extremely difficult period. In 1954, the Horse racing Law was amended again, to enact the Japan Racing Association Law. This established the Japan Racing Association, or as it is now known as JRA, which took over the entire horse racing functions and operations of government horse racing. These laws not only provided for “national racing” in Japan, but also for the legalization and operation of “regional public racing” as a separate system to that of national racing. 
2 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
orse racing in Japan is characterized by fair racing which is held with integrity in a systematic, orderly 
manner as prescribed by the Horse racing Law of Japan. All authorized racing in Japan, by law, must be conducted by the Japan Racing Association (JRA) (a public enterprise established by the national government) and local government entities. Furthermore, the law does not permit wagering to be conducted by anyone other than racing authorities and racing authorities must offer all wagers under a pari-mutuel formula. Japan has to rank among countries around the world as one in which thoroughbred horse racing is the most popular. Totally, Japan held 1,435 race meetings in 2020, with 16,668 flat and jump races. The betting turnover is number one worldwide, with total flat and jump purses that rank first in the world. Globally, Japan also breeds the fourth highest number of Thoroughbreds.     
RA was established in 1954 by the enactment of the Japan Racing Association Law to take over horse racing that had 
been operated by the national government. JRA operates under the oversight of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The main office of JRA which is located in Tokyo, acts as the nerve center for the nationwide network of 10 racecourses, the 39 off-course betting facilities called “WINS” and other JRA related entities, and engages in activities concerning the direct or indirect development and operation of national horse racing. JRA is required to provide 10% of its gross betting turnover to the national treasury, as well as 50% of any surplus profits remaining at the end of the fiscal year. In fiscal 2020, JRA paid approximately ¥329 billion into the National Treasury, use of which is specified by law: three-quarters must be designated for improvement of livestock breeding and the remaining one-quarter for public or social welfare. JRA also contributes to horse breeding, as well as the propagation and promotion of other types of livestock programs. JRA also provides for the promotion of equestrian culture, thereby 
returning benefits to society as a whole. JRA operates 10 racecourses with eight of these holding both flat and jump racing. The remaining two racecourses only hold flat racing. In 2020, there were 3,456 races, which generated a betting turnover of approximately ¥3.0 trillion.  
 esignated autonomous local municipalities and designated 
prefectural governments have held Racing by Local Governments since 1948. NAR is the centralized 
organization and registry for Racing by Local Governments. This racing, like that of JRA, is under the oversight of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and operates among other purposes to contribute to the finances of local governments. The NAR was established in 1962 to standardize the registration of local racing’s racehorse owners and racehorses as well as to establish a licensing authority for local racing trainers and jockeys nationwide. Racing by local governments consists of 14 local governments located throughout the country, which serve as organizers of the races held within their jurisdiction. These 14 local governments are comprised of two prefectural governments, two municipal, and 10 joint-organizations. NAR is the authority that oversees this racing. The 14 organizers of racing by local governments held 14,934 races during 2020 at 15 tracks with a turnover of approximately ¥863 billion. They operated 15 tracks, which included one racecourse (Obihiro) which specializes in only draft horse races. 
JRA Racing (operated by the Japan  Racing Association) 
National Association of Racing (NAR; operated by Local Governments) 
2020 Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) (winner: CHRONO GENESIS) 
RA holds thoroughbred flat races and jump races in Japan, with about half of the racing schedule for flat races is held 
on turf and half on dirt courses.    
RA is allowed to hold 36 meetings annually. A race meeting is a maximum of 12 days, with racing held 288 
days a year. As a general rule, race meetings must have a maximum of 12 races a day.  JRA racing days are in principle limited to weekends, on both Saturday and Sunday, with several exceptions for national holidays. Special provisions exist for JRA to hold racing during the weekdays in emergency circumstances.  
2020 JRA Races  3,456 
Flat races 3,331 (1,668 turf/1,663 dirt) 
Jump races 125 
              
RA racing is divided into two categories: flat and jump racing. The conditions are set up to ensure that horses of 
similar levels compete against each other. Horses are assigned in the categories according to the prize money value of the races. There are also handicap races, in which relative differences in the abilities of runners are leveled by increasing or decreasing the weights to be carried of horses. In some cases, competing horses are limited by sex, but in all cases the amount of prize money earned is the standard, and 
levels of ability are always determined according to that measure.  The highest level of these races is the open races, among which high-value races are considered graded races. In order to promote the broad recognition of the role and importance of grading the races and provide a benchmark for the breeding industry, graded race structure was implemented in 1984. In 2007, Japan was promoted to Part I country of the International Cataloging Standards, and ever since, the number of Japanese graded races gaining international recognition increased by the year, and in 2010, all Japanese graded races were recognized as international graded races and became open to foreign-trained horses. JRA also introduced a grading system to jump races in 1999, and there are now 10 graded Jump Races: J-GI (2 races), J-GII (3 races) and J-GIII (5 races).  
Number of JRA Races by Class in 2020 
Classes No. of races (share %) 
Graded 129 (3.9) 
Open 124 (3.7) 
3-win 202 (6.1) 
2-win 473 (14.2) 
1-win 955 (28.7) 
Newcomer 302 (9.1) 
Maiden 1,146 (34.4) 
he distance for two-year-old flat races must be 800 meters or longer, while the distance for three-year-olds and up 
must be 1,000 meters or longer. Race distance is gradually extended between horses making their debut as two-years old and the spring of their three-year-old season, taking into account factors such as the horse’s growth and racing experience, so that by the time three-year-olds start competing against older horses, they can experience racing distances up to 2,400 meters or more.  In mixed races for three-years-olds and older horses, race structure is created to appeal to the racing fans with variety of distances, so that individual racehorses can fully bring out their ability in speed and stamina.  The racing distance on turf for two-year-olds ranges from 1,000 meters to 2,000 meters. Races between 1,400 meters 
Racing Calendar 
Types of Races Racing Calendar
Race Distance Racing Calendar
4 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
to a mile account for the largest proportion of the total, 41%. Races over 1800 meters account for 37%, and then followed by sprint races. For three-year-olds, the distance is set from the shortest at 1,000 meters up to 3,000 meters, with 43% of these races set at Intermediate and the next largest proportion in Mile. Lastly, the distance for three-year-olds and up ranges from 1,000 meters up to 3,600 meters, with 36% of these races set at Intermediate. Next in order of numerical percentage by distance are Mile and Sprint.   Number of JRA Races by Distance on Turf in 2020 
Total flat races on turf 1,668 races 
1,000–1,200 m 340 races   20.4% 
1,400–1,600 m 496 races   29.7% 
1,700–2,000 m 636 races   38.1% 
2,200 m and over 196 races   11.8% 
he purse for JRA races are awarded to the first five finishers. Depending on the races, there are other 
incentive monies paid to the runners finishing from sixth to tenth place, and stakes money, registration fees borne by horse owners, which is distributed among the top three finishers where applicable.  The largest first-place purse is ¥300 million each for the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix), and the smallest is the ¥5.1 million for events held for winless three-year-olds and two-year-olds. The total prize money provided by JRA in 2020 was ¥109 billion.    
rainers chiefly derive their income from owner-paid contract fees and 10% of the prize money. Jockey income 
consists of riding fees, 5% of the prize money, contract training fees and salaries if they are directly employed by trainers. Grooms are paid a salary by trainers and about 5% of the prize money. 
 Trainer Licenses One must pass the JRA license examination to obtain a trainer’s license in JRA racing. A trainer’s license is valid for one year and license renewal examinations are held annually. One must be 28 years of age or older to be eligible to take the test. Examination categories include racing regulations, hippology, tests on academic subjects, along with tests of equestrian skills, among other topics. Trainer’s examinations are generally taken after experience has been gained as a jockey or stable hand. Trainers are required to be knowledgeable about the training and supervision of racehorses. They must also possess a variety of expertise pertaining to the education of young stable hands, jockeys, stable operations and so forth. 
Jockey Licenses Only licensed jockeys may ride horses entered in races in Japan and one must pass the JRA license examination to obtain a jockey’s license to become a professional. A jockey’s license is valid for one year, and license renewal examinations are held annually. One must be 16 years old or older to be eligible to take the test. Examination categories include racing regulations, hippology and other academic subjects along with a test of practical skills of the jockey’s techniques. In 2015, the two world-class riders, Italian Mirco Demuro and Frenchman Christophe Lemaire were granted full-term jockey licenses by JRA. There is also a short-term license, limited to three months, issued to superior foreign jockeys to ride in Japan. JRA and NAR operate jockey training schools to train jockeys, and the majority of currently active jockeys have attended those schools. (Please 
refer to Page 19 for details on the JRA Horse Racing School) Horse Owner Registration As a general rule, a person aspiring to become a racehorse owner in Japan, must first be a resident of Japan (in the case of non-Japanese, a resident alien), not have a criminal record for imprisonable offenses. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient assets and income to possess a racehorse. Individuals, corporations and private groups (syndicates) may own racehorses, and the number enrolled in membership corporations has been increasing recently. Also, trainers, trainer's assistants, jockeys, stable hands and others who have direct contact with racing operations and racehorses may not become horse owners. JRA began accepting applications for owner registration for foreign persons who are non-Japanese residents in 2009. Further, details on this process are available at 
https://japanracing.jp/en/horsemen/jra_rules/rules_racing.html#c2 
Prize Money Racing Calendar
Trainer, Jockey, Groom Incomes Racing Calendar
Licenses and Registration Racing Calendar
  1. Horses entering races Horses must be stabled either at a training center or at the racecourse stables 10 to 15 days before a race to ensure integrity in horse racing and proper quarantine measures. Stabling horses for a certain period until the day of the race and managing them is necessary to gain the credibility of racing fans.  
2. Jockeys After their mounts have been declared on the day before the race, jockeys are obliged to remain in the jockeys’ quarters or jockey’s room until they mount their assigned horses. These facilities are at racecourses, or training centers, and are equipped so that jockeys can prepare themselves mentally and physically to demonstrate their utmost abilities during races. Furthermore, having jockeys under supervised custody in these facilities from the time their mounts have been declared until after a race has finished also has the merit of preventing undesirable incidents that might affect race outcomes.             
  3. Restricted entry in operational areas Racetracks strictly restrict anyone who might pose a risk of interfering with the safe running of races or the maintenance of good order inside the track. Additionally, from the perspective of ensuring horses’ safety, training centers and other facilities affiliated with racing also strictly limit admittance to only those who have obtained prior permission from racing authorities.      
  4. Limitations on offering/purchasing bets Only authorized racing authorities are permitted to offer bets under Japanese law, so when anyone other than a racing authority offers bets, not only the seller, but also any person who has purchased wagers from the illegal sellers will be severely punished. Moreover, anyone who offers bets via the Internet from an overseas location, as well as anyone who purchases bets from such a concern, is similarly subject to severe punishment.  5. Stewards’ offices Stewards’ offices have been set up at both training centers and serve as bases for stable personnel and racehorses, and there are several stewards on duty there around the clock. The stewards are in constant communication with stable personnel and patrol the training centers’ premises as needed in an effort to ensure the safety of horses and personnel. We are well aware that what is of the utmost importance in the development and maintaining the support of many horse racing fans is the need to sustain a track environment that is sound and impartial, i.e. one that ensures integrity.                            
Jockey’s quarters 
Racing official in monitor towers 
Stewards surveillance of the race 
Ensuring Integrity 
6 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
2019 World All-Star Jockeys 2020 Japan Cup (winner: ALMOND EYE) 
2020 Yasuda Kinen (winner: GRAN ALEGRIA) 2020 Takarazuka Kinen (winner: CHRONO GENESIS)  
apan’s horse racing industry has for many years imported superior thoroughbreds from overseas for racing and 
breeding purposes as part of its efforts to improve horses bred in Japan and to enhance their racing stamina. JRA established the Japan Cup, an international invitational race, in 1981 in an attempt to verify the results of efforts to improve horses bred in Japan and to inject new vitality into Japanese horse racing. This race, pitting champion horses from four continents against each other, has gained acceptance as an event to determine the world’s turf champion and has subsequently served as a model of how to establish international invitational races in various countries. Japan’s horse racing industry has rapidly absorbed the expertise of advanced horse racing nations through the Japan Cup and has managed to join their ranks. The race is highly rated around the world and the International Cataloguing Standard Committee conferred a Part 1 race rating on the Japan Cup in 1992. JRA graded races that have systematically been opening up to foreign-trained horses since 1993 have steadily obtained Part 1 ratings. The International Cataloguing Standard Committee elevated Japan to a Part 1 nation status in 2007 as a result of Japan opening more than half of its graded races  
  to foreign-trained horses. All JRA flat graded races have been opened to foreign-trained horses since 2010. (Please refer to Page 44 “Main Achievements of Japan Trained Horses Abroad (GI Races)”) The introduction of the world’s leading jockeys has also raised the level of JRA racing. The World Super Jockeys Series was inaugurated in 1987 in an attempt to improve the riding skills of Japanese jockeys and to promote international friendship. This series has become a fixture on the global racing calendar and it has welcomed more than 200 top-caliber jockeys from Europe, North America, Oceania and Asia. It has been renamed as the World All-Star Jockeys and altered in schedule and venue (Sapporo Racecourse, Hokkaido) in 2015, but in 2020 and 2021, the events were cancelled due to the influence of COVID-19. Also, each year, JRA holds trophy exchange races with various racing authorities from foreign countries to deepen international relations and goodwill.  
International Relations Racing Calendar
2021 JRA Graded I Races (Flat races) 
Date Race Course Distance (m) Age/Sex 
Feb. 21 February Stakes  Tokyo 1,600 / Dirt 4yo & up 
Mar. 28 Takamatsunomiya Kinen  Chukyo 1,200 / Turf 4yo & up 
Apr. 4 Osaka Hai  Hanshin 2,000 / Turf 4yo & up 
Apr. 11 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas)  (1st leg of fillies’ triple crown) Hanshin 1,600 / Turf 3yo Fillies 
Apr. 18 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas)  (1st leg of triple crown) Nakayama 2,000 / Turf 3yo No Geldings 
May. 2 Tenno Sho (Spring) Hanshin 3,200 / Turf 4yo & up 
May. 9 NHK Mile Cup  Tokyo 1,600 / Turf 3yo No Geldings 
May. 16 Victoria Mile  Tokyo 1,600 / Turf 4yo & up Fillies & Mares 
May. 23 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks)  (2nd leg of fillies’ triple crown) Tokyo 2,400 / Turf 3yo Fillies 
May. 30 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby)  (2nd leg of triple crown) Tokyo 2,400 / Turf 3yo No Geldings 
Jun. 6 Yasuda Kinen  Tokyo 1,600 / Turf 3yo & up 
Jun. 27 Takarazuka Kinen  Hanshin 2,200 / Turf 3yo & up 
Oct. 3 Sprinters Stakes  Nakayama 1,200 / Turf 3yo & up 
Oct. 17 Shuka Sho  (Final leg of fillies’ triple crown) Hanshin 2,000 / Turf 3yo Fillies 
Oct. 24 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger)  (Final leg of triple crown) Hanshin 3,000 / Turf 3yo No Geldings 
Oct. 31 Tenno Sho (Autumn)  Tokyo 2,000 / Turf 3yo & up 
Nov. 14 Japan Autumn International Queen Elizabeth II Cup  Hanshin 2,200 / Turf 3yo & up Fillies & Mares 
Nov. 21 Japan Autumn International Mile Championship  Hanshin 1,600 / Turf 3yo & up 
Nov. 28 
Japan Autumn International Japan Cup  (International Invitational) 
Tokyo 2,400 / Turf 3yo & up 
Dec. 5 Japan Autumn International Champions Cup Chukyo 1,800 / Dirt 3yo & up 
Dec. 12 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Hanshin 1,600 / Turf 2yo Fillies 
Dec. 19 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes Hanshin 1,600 / Turf 2yo No Geldings 
Dec. 26 Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix)  Nakayama 2,500 / Turf  3yo & up 
Dec. 28 Hopeful Stakes Nakayama 2,000 / Turf 2yo No Geldings 
 2021 JRA International Jump Races 
Date Race Course Distance (m) Age/Sex 
Mar. 20 Pegasus Jump Stakes Nakayama 3,350 / Turf 4yo & up 
Apr. 17 Nakayama Grand Jump (J-GI) Nakayama 4,250 / Turf 4yo & up 
Dec. 25 Nakayama Daishogai (J-GI) Nakayama 4,100 / Turf 3yo & up 
         
8 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
Win6.8%Place9.6%
Bracket Quinella
Horse Number Quinella13.4%
Exacta5.9%Quinella 
Place9.9%
Trio21.2%
Trifecta29.2%
Pick5 "WIN5"
ari-mutuel betting is the sole form of wagering for horse racing in Japan under the Horse racing Law. JRA and 
local racing authorities are the only organizations authorized by law to legally conduct betting operations on horse racing. As such, there are no legal private bookmakers or betting companies. However, in accordance with the amended horse racing law (in force from January 1, 2005), which permits subcontracting of business matters related to the running of horse races, JRA is permitted to contract out the offering of bets and the issuance of payouts or refunds to prefectural/municipal governments or private citizens and the prefectural/ municipal governments can consign them to other prefectural/municipal governments, JRA, or private citizens.    
s of 2021, JRA offers nine types of bets: win, place, bracket number quinella, horse number quinella, 
quinella place (“wide”), exacta, trio, trifecta and Pick5 “WIN5.” As shown in the pie graph, trifecta makes up around 29% of total turnover. Of these, bracket number quinella is unique to Japan. In the case of bracket number quinella, horses entered in a race are first coupled into a total of eight brackets (of one horse or more in each bracket). Fans select two brackets in a quinella-style bet and if one horse from each of those brackets comes in first or second (regardless of order of finish), the bet is a winner. And in April 2011, JRA began offering the new Pick5 “WIN5” wagers, which involve predicting the winners of five designated races each Sunday. The maximum payout is ¥600 million.                
RA deducts about 25% of the total betting turnover (deduction rates are between 20 % and 30% depending on 
the bet type), and the remaining 75% is allocated proportionally among winning bettors, depending on the amounts of their bets. Of this 25%, 10% is disbursed to the national government in a payment to the national treasury, and the remaining 15% is allocated to, among other things, operating expenses and prize money. If there are any surplus profits remaining at the end of the fiscal year, 50 % of which is also disbursed to the national government.                  
RA has 39 “WINS” off-course betting facilities nationwide and the 10 JRA racecourses which do not hold 
races also function as off-course betting facilities. Several of these have membership regulations, with restrictions on the number of people permitted in, offering a luxurious, salon-style environment in which to enjoy horse racing.             
Excel floor (fixed capacity system with entry in order of arrival that day and admission charged) 
Off-Course Betting Facilities Racing Calendar
JRA House Take Percentages 
Allocated Winning Bettors 
National 
Government 
OperationExpenses and Prize Money 
Types of Bets Racing Calendar
Deduction Rate Racing Calendar
2020 JRA Betting Turnover 
(total turnover ¥2.983.455.872.000) 
                
RA began offering telephone wagers in 1974. Individual members who have signed a contract have payments of 
wager amounts and transfers of payouts handled automatically via designated bank accounts. There are four forms of memberships: A-PAT (dedicated bank account for ARS, PAT and IPAT systems), Soku-PAT (Internet bank for I-PAT system), JRA Direct (Credit Card for IPAT system; PC only) and ARS (dedicated bank account for ARS system). As of December 31, 2020, A-PAT had 1,359,233 members, Soku-PAT 3,598,150, JRA Direct 92,266 and ARS 13,374.   ARS (Audio Response System) Bettors must use touch-tone styled telephones to place their bet.  
PAT (Personal Access Terminal) This home-use system is designed for use with personal computers, TV game devices, or other related devices that can be directly connected to JRA’s PAT system. As well as a method for betting, this system offers information of interest to bettors, such as race entrants, odds and payouts.  
IPAT (Internet Betting) This system began operations in March 2002 and enables PAT subscribers to place bets easily over the Internet via cell phones, smart phone or personal computers.  Telephone wagers and WINS (including tracks not hosting races) turnover make up 92.7% and 6.8% of JRA’s total turnover respectively, accounting for a vast majority of the handle.    
                                           
n October 2012, JRA and NAR developed a new integrated totalizator system, which connects the two 
betting centers. This makes it possible to bet on the NAR races through a membership of JRA’s internet betting system and NAR racing fans can buy JRA bets at designated NAR racecourses.  
WINS Korakuen 
IPAT(PC) 
Telephone Betting Racing Calendar
IPAT(PC) 
IPAT(Smart Phone) 
10 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
acing organizers must bear in mind that during the conduct of races, the provision of fair races and the 
offering of wagers go hand-in-hand. This is not just from the aspect of betting, but on the basis of enhancing the attractiveness of racing itself. Organizers need to continually strive toward the development of all-around leisure with racing as the centerpiece, so that fans can enjoy a variety of services in pleasant, general-purpose leisure facilities. Surveys and Internet monitor programs are employed, telephone and written requests are gathered, and analyses of conditions in other leisure industries are conducted to gain an understanding of fan requirements. Using such data, JRA plans and implements the specialized services that fans desire. Customer services offered at JRA races can be broadly categorized as follows:    
nhancing the appeal of racing itself means promoting the enjoyment of racing and the allure of trying to 
choose the winner, which are the fundamental ingredients (value and quality) that racing possesses. JRA strives to offer fair, world-class races incorporated into the best racing fixtures possible, in order to meet fans’ needs and meet their expectations.                      
                                   
he second point is endeavoring to enhance services for fans from the standpoint of the “hardware” on site, to 
create an environment of enjoyment at all-around leisure facilities.           
Horse rides 
In Japan, racetracks have been developed into comprehensive leisure facilities. 
Giant Turf Vision monitor 
Specific examples: ・Upgrading and refurbishing grandstands. ・Improving image transmission systems, media and 
other information-related facilities. 
・Expanding separate smoking and non-smoking areas, 
playgrounds, greenery and design within venues and providing more parking areas. 
Enhancing the appeal of racing itself Racing Calendar
Provide the best of “hardware” services Racing Calendar
Centaur garden at Hanshin racecourse 
11 |  
 he third item is offering fans “software” amenities, along with various types of hospitality that are both convenient 
and satisfying for our horse racing aficionados. This includes promoting methods of customer service among other things. Further, JRA provides the following additional services for race fans:                     JRA places strong emphasis on advertising the unique excitement that only horse racing can provide. Current activities involve holding various events to lure new fans to the attractions held at racecourses on race days. The major racecourses have special spaces for such events. Playgrounds and its equipment have been constructed to keep children entertained. JRA runs television advertisements to announce the graded races and raise the profile of horse racing. In publicizing races, JRA features popular actors and actresses in its advertisements to boost the image of the JRA and horse racing among the general public, and to attract younger generations who have had no contact with horse racing. Regarding brand advertising, each year JRA creates an advertisement based on a horse-related catchphrase that conveys the beauty and power of racehorses that cannot be completely conveyed in more general television 
commercials that promote specific races. Through these PR programs and television commercials, JRA hopes to bring even more enjoyment to racing fans.   
n order to promote broader understanding of the intricacies of horse racing culture by providing a wide 
range of information related to horses in casual fashion, JRA opened the “Gate J.” in a popular business district in Tokyo. The facility features videos of horses and horse racing from Japan and around the world on large screens and in film libraries, as well as gift shops and areas where visitors can pick up information about JRA. This facility acts as a pilot shop to provide information about horse racing.    
RA established a broadcasting channel called the Green Channel in 1994 as a service to provide fans with 
extensive racing footage in their own homes. Anyone who subscribes to the CS digital broadcast or CATV can enjoy this channel. JRA also hosts the Racing Viewer, which distributes videos of races over the Internet.    
he personal computer version of JRA website (jra.jp) was launched in 1997, and the mobile phone version in 2005. 
It draws many visitors, who use it mostly to view race day information such as race cards, race results, and payouts. The number of page views has increased every year since the site was launched. In 
addition to race day information, the site offers a wealth of other information, 
including event 
information held at racecourses or 
WINS, race analysis, introduction of graded races and overseas horseracing information.  
Provide the best of “software” services Racing Calendar
・Free Pass Days (Admission to racecourses is free)  ・“Beginners Seminar”  are held at racecourses and 
WINS for horse racing beginners where they are taught how to place bets and how to read racing newspapers among other useful information to enjoy horse racing. 
・ Racecourse Attendance Points Campaign, where 
customers can accumulate points by going to any of the 10 JRA racecourses and will be given various gifts once points accumulated. 
・Campaigns using animated characters and JRA mascot 
TURFY to increase understanding towards horse racing 
・Events Attended by Jockeys and Equestrian Campaigns ・“UMAJO SPOT” (women –only area) in racecourses to 
attract women to racecourses, and make them feel that racecourses can be enjoyable places for women 
・Special website targeting horse racing beginners by 
collaborating with popular anime cartoons and so on. 
Note: Some of the other campaigns have been cancelled due to COVID-
Gate J Racing Calendar
Green Channel and other services Racing Calendar
Website Racing Calendar
12 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
 okyo, Nakayama, Kyoto and Hanshin are known as the “big four” of the 10 JRA racecourses, and, along with Chukyo, all GI races are held at these five courses. Three racecourses - Tokyo, Niigata and Chukyo - have counterclockwise 
courses and the other tracks are right-handed.    
                                                      
Main course (turf) 
Length     Width 
A Course     2,083.1 m   31–41 m B Course     2,101.9 m   28–38 m C Course     2,120.8 m   25–35 m D Course     2,139.6 m   22–32 m 
Dirt course 
Length     Width 
1,899.0 m    25 m 
Jump course (turf) 
Length     Width 
1,674.7 m    25 m 
Main course (turf) Oval track: 
Length         Width 
Inner oval       A  1,667.1 m      20–32 m                 B  1,686.0 m      17–29m                 C  1,704.8 m      14–26 m Outer oval       A  1,839.7 m      24–32 m                 B  1,858.5m       21–29m                 C  1,877.3 m      18–26 m 
Dirt course (Oval) 
Length        Width 1,493.0 m      20–25 m 
Jump course (turf) 
Length        Width 
O-line               1,456.4 m     20–30 m X-line      447.5 m and 424.3 m     20–30 m 
Offering a view of Mt. Fuji to the southwest, this is JRA’s largest racecourse. It is host to the February Stakes (GI), NHK Mile Cup (GI), Victoria Mile (GI), Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) (GI), Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (GI),  Yasuda Kinen (GI), Tenno Sho (Autumn) (GI) and Japan Cup (GI). Thrilling races take place down a 530-meterlong homestretch. The refurbishment of the grandstand was completed in the spring of 2007. This facility can now seat more than 120,000. 
NAKAYAMA RACECOURSE  
 This racecourse holds the Nakayama Grand Jump (J-GI), Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (GI), Sprinters Stakes (GI), Nakayama Daishogai (J-GI), Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) (GI) and Hopeful Stakes (G1). The rising slope along the final 200 meters of the homestretch adds to the interest of races. The steeplechase course has three inclining steeps unique to Nakayama. 
TOKYO RACECOURSE  
                                                              
Main course (turf) 
Length            Width 
Inner oval  Outer oval 
A Course   1,782.8 m  1,894.3 m   27–38 m B Course   1,802.2 m  1,913.6 m   24–35 m C Course   1,821.1 m  1,932.4 m   21–32 m D Course   1,839.9 m  1,951.3 m   18–29 m 
Dirt course 
Length            Width 
Oval          1,607.6 m            25 m 
Jump course (turf) 
Length            Width 
Normal       1,413.8 m            23 m Grand        1,399.8 m            20 m 
Turf course (inner oval) 
Course Length   Width  Homestretch length  Undulation A    1,689.0 m  24–28 m    356.5 m     1.9m B    1,713.2 m  20–25 m    359.1 m   1.9m 
 Turf course (outer oval) 
Course Length   Width  Homestretch length  Undulation A    2,089.0 m  24–29 m    473.6 m     2.4 m B    2,113.2 m  20–25 m    476.3 m     2.4 m 
 Dirt course 
Length   Width  Homestretch length  Undulation 1,517.6 m  22–25 m    352.7 m     1.6 m 
 Steeplechase track (Turf) 
O-line Length   Width  Homestretch length  Undulation 
1,366.7 m  20.5 m      403.7 m     1.3 m 
KYOTO RACECOURSE  
Built in 1924, Kyoto Racecourse is the premier racecourse in Western Japan. It holds the same number of race meetings as other major racecourses, with five meetings a year. Major races are the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1), Shuka Sho (G1), Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (G1), Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) and Mile Championship (G1). It is currently closed for renovation and construction is slated to be completed by March 2023. All races will be relocated to other tracks during renovation.  
HANSHIN RACECOURSE  
First built on its present location in 1948, Hanshin Racecourse joins Kyoto Racecourse as the second of the two feature racecourses in Western Japan. Hanshin has the same number of race meetings as Kyoto and the two racecourses alternate race meeting. Its uniquely long corners, as well as a steep rise just before the finish line, are the major characteristics of this racecourse. Major races are Osaka Hai (G1), Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) (G1), Takarazuka Kinen (G1), Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (GI). 
14 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
                                                              
Main course (turf) 
   Length    Width 
A Course         1,705.9 m   28–30 m B Course         1,724.8 m   25–27m 
Dirt course  
Length     Width 1,530 m     25 m 
CHUKYO RACECOURSE  
Chukyo Racecourse outside of Nagoya reopened in March 2012, after nearly two years of renovation work. The turf course has been lengthened by over 100 meters and now measures 1,705.9 meters around with a 412.5-meter homestretch. The dirt course, now measures 1,530 meters with a 410.7-meter final homestretch, making it the longest dirt stretch in Western Japan. The 1,200-meter 
Takamatsunomiya Kinen (GI) is held on the turf and the 1,800-meter Champions Cup (G1) is held on the dirt. 
SAPPORO RACECOURSE  
 This racecourse, located in Sapporo City, the largest city on the northern island of Hokkaido, has two race meetings each year. The major races are the Sapporo Kinen (G2), Queen Stakes (G3), Elm Stakes (G3), Keeneland Cup (G3) and Sapporo Nisai Stakes (G3). The refurbishment of the grandstand was completed in July 2014. 
Main course (turf) 
   Length    Width 
A Course         1,640.9 m   25–27 m B Course         1,650.4m   23.5–25.5m C Course         1,659.8 m   22–24 m 
Dirt course 
   Length    Width 
         1,487.0 m   20 m 
HAKODATE RACECOURSE  
Situated in Hakodate City in Hokkaido, this racecourse has two race meetings each year. Major races are the Hakodate Sprint Stakes (G3), Hakodate Kinen (G3) and Hakodate Nisai Stakes (G3). The refurbishment of the grandstand was completed in June 2010. 
Main course (turf) 
   Length    Width 
A Course         1,626.6 m   29 m B Course         1,651.8 m   25 m C Course         1,675.8 m   21–22 m  
Dirt course 
   Length    Width 
         1,475.8 m   20 m 
                                                              
FUKUSHIMA RACECOURSE  
Located in Fukushima City in northern Honshu, this racecourse holds three race meetings annually. Major races are the Fukushima Himba Stakes (G3), Radio Nikkei Sho (G3), Tanabata Sho (G3), and Fukushima Kinen (G3). 
Main course (turf)  
Length     Width 
A Course         1,600.0 m   25–27 m B Course         1,614.1 m   22.5–25 m C Course         1,628.1 m   20–23 m 
Dirt course 
Length     Width 
                   1,444.6 m   20–25 m Jump course (turf) 
Length     Width 
S-line             490.9 m   17.6-20 m 
NIIGATA RACECOURSE  
This racecourse is located in Niigata City alongside of the Japan Sea. Niigata Racecourse was completely renovated in 2001. Major races are the Sekiya Kinen (G3), Niigata Kinen (G3), Niigata Daishoten (G3), Niigata Nisai Stakes (G3), the Leopard Stakes (G3) and Ibis Summer Dash (G3), the only JRA graded race held over the 1,000-meter straight course. 
Main course (turf) 
Length          Width 
Inner oval   Outer oval 
A Course   1,623.0 m     2,223.0 m   25 m B Course   1,648.1 m     2,248.1 m   21 m 
Dirt course 
           Length                 Width 
1,472.5 m                20 m 
Straightaway course    Length 
          1,000.0 m 
KOKURA RACECOURSE  
Located in the foremost industrial city of Kitakyushu on the island of Kyushu, Kokura Racecourse holds three race meetings a year. Its major races are the Kitakyushu Kinen (G3), Kokura Kinen (G3), Kokura Nisai Stakes (G3), Kokura Daishoten (G3) and Kokura Summer Jump (J-G3). 
Main course (turf) 
      Length             Width 
A Course         1,615.1 m             30 m B Course         1,633.9 m             27 m C Course         1,652.8 m             24 m 
Dirt course 
      Length             Width 
         1,445.4 m             24 m 
Jump course (turf) 
      Length             Width 
O-line            1,309.0 m          16–20 m S-line              415.7 m 
16 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
wo training centers have been established by JRA to provide horses with the conditioning they need to put on 
the best of races. They are in Miho, Ibaraki Prefecture, in eastern Japan and Ritto, Shiga Prefecture, in western Japan. These expansive 50- to 60-hectare sites are equipped with stables, clinics for the racehorses, lodging facilities, medical clinics and various other facilities for the benefit of the over 2,000 racehorses stabled there and the people who take care of them. The facilities operate 24 hours a day so that the racing runs smoothly; the fairness of races is ensured; the horses’ safety, health and hygiene are maintained; and information is provided to fans. Horses to be entered in races  
must be trained at the training centers for a set period (10 days for horses with racing experience and 15 days or more for those that have not raced) before races are run. In addition to oval tracks configured to conform to actual race situations, there are sharp uphill training tracks, turf, dirt, woodchip, new poly track to suit any training objective. Thorough track supervision to ensure the safety of horses in training includes leveling out the dirt course, sprinkling antifreeze agents on tracks in winter and water in summer. New training facilities are steadily being built to keep pace with diversification in training methods. These new improvements enable training to proceed in a wide variety of forms and have greatly contributed to finely conditioned horses. 
                                   
                                   
RITTO TRAINING CENTER 
Total Area: 1,531,742m2 Stable Accommodations: 2,224 Courses: A Course: (Steeplechase) 1,450 m × 20 m (turf) B Course: 1,600 m × 20 m (dirt) C-W Course: 1,800 m × 20 m (woodchip) D Course: 1,950 m × 14 m (turf) D-P Course: 2,038 m × 14 m (new polytrack) E Course: 2,200 m × 24 m (dirt) Uphill Course: 1,085 m × 7 m (woodchip) difference in elevation: 32 m Woodchip riding trail: 2,300 m × 4~14 m (woodchip) Swimming pool: 55 × 3-meter circle, 3 meters deep Other: 2 straight line pools Equine Clinic  
MIHO TRAINING CENTER 
Total Area: 2,235,981 m2 Stable Accommodations: 2,196 Woodland bridle path: 1,000 m × 15 m turf 1,744 m × 3.5–7 m bark 
North Track A Course (steeplechase): 
1,370 m × 12.5 m inner dirt 1,436 m × 12.5 m outer turf 
B Course: 1,600 m (dirt) × 20 m (dirt) C Course: 1,800 m (dirt) × 20 m (dirt) Swimming pool: 44 × 3-meter circle, 3.0 meters deep Other: 2 straight line pools & Water treadmill  South Track A Course: 1,370 m × 25m (dirt) B Course: 1,600 m × 20 m (dirt) C Course (inner): 1,800 m × 8-10 m (turf) C Course (outer): 1,858 m × 15 m (new polytrack) D Course: 2,000 m × 20m (woodchip) Uphill Course: 1,200 m × 12 m (woodchip) Difference in elevation: 18 m Swimming Pool: 44 × 3-meter circle, 3 meters deep Other: 2 straight line pools & Water treadmill Equine Clinic  
JRA Training Centers 
17 |  
orses must pass a starting gate test to be able to enter a race. At the training centers, an important part of training 
is rehearsing entering the gate and preparing for the start.             
n this woodchip track, workout times are electronically measured at 200-meter intervals, using IC tags attached to 
each horse. These times are then released to the public.              
raining is conducted year-round in this circular pool, with pool and air temperatures maintained at around 25 
degrees centigrade throughout the year.              
n underwater treadmill device is designed to provide a workout using water resistance while reducing the stress 
of body weight on the legs.             
nature trail that weaves through the woods was created to visually and aurally relax the horses. There are 
streams for horses to walk in, waterfalls, and artificial misting devices along the riding path.             
comprehensive medical facility for racehorses is operated by approximately 40 JRA veterinarians. They are 
primarily engaged in racehorse health management, diagnosis and treatment of sick horses, prevention of communicable diseases, checkups for horses scheduled to race, consulting services related to training and stabling, and educational efforts related to health and hygiene ideas.           
Starting Gate Training 
Uphill Course 
Indoor Heated Pool 
Water Treadmill 
Woodland Riding Trail 
Racehorse Hospital 
18 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
rainers and others involved with horses can observe the condition of the horses during workouts on the track from 
here. Final workouts, training held three to four days before a race, and recording of training times are done, and members of the media gather information for stories from here.                                          
                                               
Early in the morning of the race day, runners are transported from the training center to each site, such as Tokyo, Nakayama, Kyoto, Hanshin or Chukyo racecourses.  Ritto Training Center to: 
Kyoto Racecourse (45 km) Hanshin Racecourse (85 km) Chukyo Racecourse (150 km) 
Miho Training Center to: 
Tokyo Racecourse (120 km) Nakayama Racecourse (75 km) 
Training Stands 
19 |  
he JRA Horse racing School was established in Shiroi City, Chiba Prefecture in 1982, with the aim of cultivating jockeys and stable staff 
with the knowledge and skills needed to adapt to the change of the times. Anyone who wants to acquire a jockey’s license and ride in JRA races must attend the JRA Horse racing School. The current curriculum features a three-year course for jockeys, in which the students go through the practical work in the stables, step-by-step drills in equestrian riding and practical training in preparation for racing. The school also has a six-month course for stable employees. The 263,000-square meter site has a 1,400-meter dirt track and is also home to the international quarantine stables used for quarantining horses entering Japan. Prospective students are required to pass an entrance examination for enrollment in either course. Students who wish to enroll in the jockey course must meet the following requirements: 
a) Age: Must be under 20 years old when entering the school, and must have graduated from junior high school or an 
equivalent educational institution. 
b) Weight: Must be 48.0kg (or lower, depending on age) when entering school. c) Eyesight: Over 0.8 for both eyes (without glasses or contact lenses) d) Must have color visibility, hearing ability, and must be in good health. e) Prospective students must not have any imprisonment records, or have 
been fined by breaking Horse racing Law or other gambling-related laws. Also he/she must not have any record of suspension or termination of involvement with horse racing by law. 
After completion of the course, the prospective jockeys may take the jockey’s license examination and the stable employees are eligible, with JRA approval, to be employed by trainers licensed by JRA.    Note: JRA's Equestrian Park will be closed from December 31, 2016 until the autumn of 2022 for the facilities improvement. In the summer of 2021, Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Games will be held at the park.  
RA Equestrian Park in Setagaya, Tokyo, was constructed in 1940 to promote equestrian events and for the training of prospective jockeys. 
During the 18th Olympic Games in 1964, it hosted some of the equestrian events, and at one time, the park was used for the training and education of prospective JRA jockeys. Today it is the center of equestrian events in Japan.  The park occupies an area of 185,000 square meters, including stables, an equestrian competition field, and office buildings. The park currently undertakes a variety of promotional activities to encourage familiarity with horses and increase understanding of horses and racing. Along with events that afford opportunities for direct contact with horses, such as Hippophile Day, horse shows, Horse Familiarity Day, and weekday attractions involving interaction with horses for area residents, the park hosts an equestrian competition almost every weekend as part of its efforts to promote equestrian culture by providing its venues for events and competition. Known familiarly as “Horse Park” in the urban area, the park is also open to the public all year round and contributes to the local community.  
JRA Equestrian Park 
JRA Horse Racing School Racing Calendar 
20 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
his JRA-affiliated institution was founded in 1959 with the goal of maintaining racehorse resources and running races efficiently. Its principal aims subsequently became the prevention of injuries to racehorses and research into developing 
strong horses. Its research is not limited to active racehorses, as it has conducted successful research on breeding and training, which has been widely applied at training centers and private training farms, as well as in breeding regions. The institute has two branches: Joban Branch and Tochigi Branch. The primary function of the Joban Branch is to provide rehabilitation facility which includes balneotherapy and physiotherapy. Various forms of medical research are also conducted at the branch. The Tochigi Branch, Epizootic Research Center was established as a research laboratory for equine infectious diseases in June 1970. This unit is the only laboratory conducting research needed for the prevention and control of equine infectious diseases in Japan.     
RA owns two yearling training farms – Hidaka Yearling Training Farm in Hokkaido and Miyazaki Yearling Training Farm in Kyushu Island - and conducts basic training on about 80 yearlings purchased at various sales until the spring of their 2-years-
old season. The information and training data obtained during this period, as well as improved methods, are passed on broadly to breeders and training farms, and used to improve Japan’s racing industry. After the research in the basic training period, the horses are sold in the training sales such as the JRA Breeze Up Sale, and then follow-up research is conducted on how they perform as racehorses. As a horseracing organization, the JRA’s comprehensive research system involving actual horses is unparalleled anywhere in the world.     
his laboratory is responsible for all DNA testing of racehorses in Japan. The laboratory and its research facilities were established in 1965 as Japan’s only testing institute for 
horses, as well as the only one which provides dedicated research within that field. The laboratory is primarily concerned with drug testing for racehorses, indispensable for ensuring fair races. It also provides blood and DNA analysis to maintain accurate pedigrees. This research institute was chartered as an experimental laboratory eligible for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation in 2004.     
he JRA Racing Museum opened at Tokyo Racecourse in 1991. The museum’s main theme is horse racing, tracing the sport’s development to the present day through 
exhibits on famous horses of the past. Exhibit materials cover racing not just in Japan, but also that of other countries. The Equine Museum of Japan was built on the site of the former Yokohama Racecourse, the birthplace of modern horse racing in Japan, in Negishi, Yokohama, and was opened in 1977. This museum’s functions are the collection, preservation and study of a broad range of materials on the relationship between people and horses.    
Laboratory of Racing Chemistry 
Museums 
JRA Yearling Training Farms 
JRA Equine Research Institute 
21 |  
he biggest difference between racing conducted by the JRA and Racing by Local Governments is that JRA 
returns a percentage of its revenue to the national treasury, whereas Racing by Local Governments contributes to the finances of the individual local government. Also, the majority of race meetings by local governments is conducted on weekdays during the day. The National Association for Racing (NAR) oversees the 14 racing organizers throughout the country.      
ll races held by NAR are flat races on dirt surface, with the exception of Ban-ei (Draft Horse Racing) at 
Obihiro Racecourse and turf races held at Morioka Racecourse – the only racecourse in local government racing with a turf surface.  In 2020 there were a total of 1,298 racing days with 14,934 races held by local governments at the 15 racecourses. A total of 149,779 horses ran, with an average of 10.0 races per horse, in 2020. Jump racing and harness racing, which had been run in the past, are currently not conducted due to declining numbers of available horses and jockeys.    
 Ban-ei (Draft Horse Racing) Ban-ei racing is a unique kind of racing that is held only in Hokkaido by local government racing. It consists of draft horses weighing from 800 to 1,200 kg competing by pulling a sled with a jockey and a prescribed heavy load over a 200-meter dirt track that has two humps along the course.            History The origin of draft horse racing dates back to Hokkaido’s pioneer days, when contests of strength between horses used to transport lumber were held for celebrations and festivals. Dosanko (Hokkaido breds) and other plow horse breeds native to Japan were used at the time. Belgian, Breton and Percheron lineage horses were then used after their subsequent introduction from Europe. Today, cross breeds between these three varieties, called “half breeds,” or with native breeds are predominate, while purebreds are on the decline. The organized racing system was inaugurated by the racing authorities in 1946 and has continued to the present.                
Number of Flat Racing Days and Flat Races 
22 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
ace meetings can last up to six days for racing conducted by government-designated prefectures and 
municipalities. A total of 1,298 meetings were held in 2020 in NAR. NAR racing is conducted mainly on weekdays. There are differences in the schedules of racecourses in the metropolitan areas of Kanto, Tokai, Kansai and Hokkaido, and those of racecourses in other regions. Racecourses in major urban areas and Hokkaido hold their races on weekdays in order to avoid competition with JRA. On the other hand, in regions that are largely unaffected by JRA meetings, racing is primarily held on Saturdays and Sundays, when it is easier to attract local fans. JBC races and other racing series Based on the model of the BC (Breeders’ Cup) in America and created from an initiative by breeders, the first JBC (Japan Breeding Farms’ Cup) races were held at Oi Racecourse in 2001. It consists of three races – the JBC Classic, Sprint and Ladies’ Classic. As total prize money, the Classic offers ¥136 million, the highest amount in racing by local governments, while the Sprint offers ¥102 million and the Ladies’ Classic ¥69.7 million, an unprecedented sum for racing by local governments. Racing by local governments holds several different “Derby” races for three-year-olds on the local circuit. The interest in these Derby races were relatively low, partly because the prize money is lower compared to that of JRA’s Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and nationwide recognition was low. Therefore, in order to raise awareness and interest, the six districts which held these separate Derby races collaborated and adjusted the racing calendar so that the Derby races are held over a continuous 6-day period at six different racecourses. Since 2007, this event has been turned into “Series of Derby Week” to raise its profile and NAR has taken measures to expand nationwide off-track sales. And in 2017, this event has been renewed again to “Derby Series” with eight races are being held at eight different NAR racecourses over a period of three weeks. Also, NAR also conducts a series of races for fillies and mares, named “GRANDAME-JAPAN.” The most 
outstanding fillies/mares are selected from each age group and they compete over a period of time, vying for the top spot – and incentive money – in their respective groups. Another series of races in the local circuit is the “Super Sprint Series,” which began in 2011. In this event, a number of sprint races no more than 1,000 meters are run over a track with only one bend. 
 imilar to JRA racing, prize money is generally allocated to the owners of the first five finishers in NAR racing. 
However, there is a huge disparity between the purses offered by different organizers. The highest purses are paid in thoroughbred races, and the largest first-place purse is ¥136 million for the JBC Classic. The total prize money in Racing by Local Governments in 2020 was ¥23 billion. The system for distributing prize money to trainers, jockeys and grooms are similar to that of JRA racing.     
AR first held its international invitation race in 1978, and ever since, it has been active in inviting jockeys from 
overseas to take part in their racing. The international invitation races known as the “Ladies Cup” was held for four consecutive years in the 1980’s, with female jockeys from Europe, the USA, Canada and Japan competing with one another. During the five-year period from 1989 to 1993, NAR conducted the “International Queen Jockey Series,” in which Japanese female jockeys rode together with female jockeys invited from the USA, Canada, Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand, as part of an international friendly among female jockeys. From 1982 to 1997, Niigata Racecourse was the host to the “Japan-Korea Challenge Cup” races, in which jockeys from the two nations were invited to race in each other’s racecourse.  In 1995, Oi Racecourse formed a friendly relationship with Santa Anita Park in the USA, inviting jockeys from the California circuit to ride in Japan. The friendly jockey series lasted for several years. In 2013, Tokyo City Keiba (Oi Racecourse) and the Korean Racing Authority initiated the first-ever “Japan-Korea international invitational race,” inviting each organization’s horses to run in Oi Racecourse and Seoul Racecourse, respectively. The two-race series was first held at Seoul Racecourse with three Japanese runners. Since then, this international exchange races had been held once a year at each racetrack from 2013 to 2016. In recent years, foreign jockeys issued short-term licenses by NAR or JRA have been increasing and they have opportunities to ride in the exchange races between JRA and NAR racing including the graded dirt races and other races held at local government racecourses all over Japan.  
Racing Calendar 
Prize Money (purse) 
International Relations 
23 |  
 here are nine standard types of betting available for racing by local governments: Win, Place, Bracket number 
Quinella, Bracket number Exacta, Horse number Quinella, Quinella Place (“Wide”), Exacta, Trio and Trifecta. As of 2020, three other types of exotic betting, Pick 5, Pick 7 and Triple Exacta are available on the Internet.     
bout the use of proceeds from betting by local governments, the deduction rate is set by each type of bet. 
However, in the case of 2019, a ratio for total sales is 73.8 %. Accordingly, 23.0% is received by each organizer for operating expenses and prize money. 1.2% is shares of the local government, and 1.8% is disbursed to NAR. The remaining 0.2% is invested to the Japan Finance Corporation for Municipal Enterprises (JFCME), which is a Government sponsored corporation that provides low-interest financing to local governments.   
 Off-Course Betting Facilities As of 2020, wagers can be placed at 103 off-course betting facilities (including 15 tracks not hosting races).  Telephone Betting Racing by local governments began offering telephone wagering in 1984. Telephone betting systems offered to fans vary according to local racing authority but are divided into two types: ARS and Internet betting (cell phones, smart phone or personal computers).  Similar to JRA’s figures, local government racing also relies heavily on off-track sales. In 2001, the ratio of on-track/off-track sales was 50:50, but in 2020, the ratio drastically changed to 1:99. Sales at racecourses are decreasing year by year, but off-track sales are conversely in an increasing trend.      
ost of the active NAR licensed jockeys have completed the jockey course at the NAR Racing Education Center 
in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture. Each year, the Center accepts some 10 students who have passed the examinations, ranging from 15-year-old junior high school graduates to 20-years-old adults. The training period lasts two years and includes a five-month practical training period under the guidance of a trainer with whom the candidate will become affiliated with upon graduation. Upon completion of the two-year course at the facility, jockeys make their debut after passing the jockey license examination.   The 30,000-square meter Center includes a 1,100-meter dirt track with four riding paddocks in the infield, an uphill training track, stable area with a capacity of 160 horses, veterinary clinic, farriery, etc. In 2010, the international quarantine stables were newly built for horses entering and leaving Japan.         
Win8.0%Place7.0%
Bracket Quinella
Bracket Exacta0.4%
Horse Number Quinella
8.1%Exacta8.1%
Quinella 
Place9.5%
Trio16.3%
Trifecta40.1%
Pick 5 & Pick 70.2%
Triple Exacta0.8%
Allocated winning 
Bettors 73.8%
NAR's share1.8%
JFCME's 
share0.2%
Operation 
Expenses and Prize 
Local Government's 
Share 1.2%
2020 Betting Turnover by Racing by Local 
Governments  
(total turnover ¥863,225,443,180) 
Type of Bets 
Deduction Rate 
NAR House Take Percentages in 2019 
24 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
 rom the betting perspective, one of the main focuses of 
NAR’s customer service is to provide a betting channel that caters to a variety of punters’ “life styles” – that is, to hold racing on weekdays and weekend, and from daytime, late afternoon and night time. In addition to preparing a variety in the racing calendar, organizers of local racing cooperate amongst one another by providing betting windows for races held outside of their courses – for example, a racecourse will hold racing during the day and keep the betting windows open at night as an off-track betting facility for races held elsewhere. Needless to say, for punters who are not able to visit the racecourse, there are a number of betting channels over the internet. In 2012, NAR and JRA developed a new integrated totalizator system, which allows members of JRA’s internet betting system to purchase tickets for local racing.   Each racecourse plans its own events for the visiting fans – ranging from talk shows by television personalities and jockeys to charity events, as well as quiz contests with premium prizes. Also, a local racecourse will sell or give out their own local foods/products, taking a more “community-based” approach to attract racing fans.  Another characteristic of racing by local governments is that it provides individuals and corporations “naming rights” to certain races. The sponsors are invited to the racecourse on raceday, along with various promotions of the race and provided a guest room at the racecourse. Also, a visiting fan can win by lottery a chance to take part in the post-race presentation ceremony, providing a special occasion to interact with their favorite jockeys and/or racing personnel.   Some racecourses offer free-of-charge transportation to and from the nearest train station. Also, some racecourses will invite fans to watch “test races (barrier trials)” and give them a “behind-the-scenes” tour of a raceday operation, which are rare occasions for the casual racegoer.        
                                                 
“Live fanfare” before a race is one of the attractions at Oi 
Jockeys sign autographs for the enthusiastic fans 
Fans gather for a talk show at Sonoda Racecourse 
Night racing under illuminations at Oi Racecourse 
25 |  
he lengths of racecourses of local governments range from 1,000 to 1,600 meters, track width from 16 to 25 
meters, and homestretches from the fourth turn to the finish line range from 190 to 380 meters. The maximum number of runners range from 10 to 16 horses. The NAR racecourses are comparatively smaller than that of JRA racecourses and bends are comparatively sharper. All NAR racecourses have only dirt tracks, with the exception of Morioka Racecourse which also has a turf track.  
OBIHIRO Ban-ei course    Length        Width 
200 m         21 m 
 MONBETSU Dirt course      Right-handed  
Length  1,376m (inner)/1,600m (outer)    
Homestretch 218m(inner)/330m(outer) 
Width   25m 
 MORIOKA Left-handed Length   Width Homestretch 
Dirt course 1,600m 25m 300m 
Turf course  1,400m 25m 300m 
 MIZUSAWA Dirt course      Length    Width  Homestretch Right-handed    1,200m    20m    230 m  URAWA Dirt course     Length   Width   Homestretch 
Left-handed    1,200m  16.5 m–24m  220 m  FUNABASHI Dirt course             Length Left-handed    1,250m(inner)/1,400m(outer) Homestretch  308m 
Width   20m(inner)/25m(outer) 
 OI Dirt course             Length Right-handed 1,400m(inner)/1,600m(outer)  
Homestretch     286m(inner)/386m(outer) Width   25m 
             KAWASAKI Dirt course    Length    Width     Homestretch Left-handed   1,200m     25 m     400 m  KANAZAWA Dirt course    Length     Width     Homestretch Right-handed  1,200m     20 m      236m  KASAMATSU Dirt course    Length    Width      Homestretch Right-handed  1,100m    20 m       238m  NAGOYA Dirt course    Length    Width      Homestretch Right-handed  1,100m    23m       194 m  SONODA Dirt course    Length    Width      Homestretch Right-handed  1,051m    20–24m    213 m  HIMEJI Dirt course    Length    Width      Homestretch Right-handed  1,200m    20–25m    230 m  KOCHI Dirt course    Length    Width      Homestretch Right-handed  1,100m    22–27m    200 m  SAGA Dirt course    Length    Width      Homestretch Right-handed  1,100m   19.2–24m    250 m   
26 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
 hen Western-style horse racing was first introduced to 1860s, most racehorses were domestic breeds, with 
some imports from Shanghai and other parts of China. During the 1870s, a few thoroughbreds were imported from the United States for the first time for use as breeding stock. The breeding industry in Japan began in earnest in 1907 when, with the assistance of the Mitsubishi Conglomerate, a thoroughbred stallion and 20 broodmares were imported from the United Kingdom to stand at Koiwai Farm. With the subsequent authorization of horse racing and the regulation of racing programs and other racing related affairs, horse racing in Japan started to take off, and the number of domestically bred racehorses increased as the thoroughbred breeding industry developed. Although the breeding industry suffered a near fatal blow during the closing days of World War II, horse racing along with society started on the long road to recovery after the war. As racing activities surpassed their pre-war prosperity, the number of foals bred increased to over 10,000, an unequaled number in the history of horse racing in Japan. Since 1995, however, the industry has been in a gradual decline. In 1997, the number of thoroughbred foals fell to around 8,000, and its number in 2020 was 7,551. Bloodstock Sales in Japan are conducted by the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders’ Association (JBBA) in cooperation with various local breeders’ associations, and by the Japan Racing Horse Association (JRHA) who conducts the famous public auction, “JRHA Select Sale.”           Although the number of thoroughbreds has decreased, the breeding standards - as well as their expectations for the foals - have been getting higher every year.  The establishment of the Japan Cup in 1981 resulted in the breeding industry setting a goal for producing faster and stronger horses that could hold their own worldwide. One of 
the goals of the Japan Cup was to bring forth steady improvement of the domestic-bred horses through the introduction of superior stallions and broodmares from overseas. This program has borne fruit to a point where the winners of GI races in some of the world’s leading racing nations have been produced in Japan. As a result, Japanese-bred horses are increasingly drawing attention on the global racing stage.      
 reeding regions are located from the island of Hokkaido up north to the island of Kyushu in the south. Traditional 
breeding areas include Tokachi, Hidaka and Iburi in Hokkaido and Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Tochigi, Chiba, Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures throughout the rest of Japan. As of 2020, there were 788 farms with thoroughbred broodmares stabled. The Hidaka area of Hokkaido is home to the most at 671. If the Tokachi and Iburi areas are included, Hokkaido’s total comes to 721, which accounts for 91.5% of the nationwide total. Breeding is expanding in Hokkaido, which has a cool, dry climate and plenty of space, while the industry has been shrinking in areas near tracks and in warm, humid Kyushu. The emphasis in these areas has turned to training.    
uring 2020, there were 263 thoroughbred stallions registered at stud in Japan. 66 of these were foreign-bred 
and 197 Japanese-bred. Approximately 95% of these stallions are standing in the main Hokkaido breeding region. The great racehorse and stallion Sunday Silence (USA), who died in August 2002, was Japan’s leading sire for 13 consecutive years from 1995 to 2007. His influence as a stallion has been passed on to his foals, and Deep Impact (JPN) by Sunday Silence has been the leading sire in Japan each year since 2012. Of domestic stallions, those sired by Deep Impact is the largest number with 29 stallions and covered 2,074 mares in 2020. 12 of those sired by Sunday 
Breeding Regions and Number of Farms 
Stallions
27 |  
Silence were used for covering 335 mares in 2020, and this number increases to 75 (and 3,758 mares) when including stallions with a Sunday Silence bloodline in the second-generation pedigree, which accounts for 31.8 % of all mares covered in 2020.  The other prominent sire line is Kingmambo (USA) and 18 of those sired by King Kamehameha (JPN) by Kingmambo covered 1,371 mares in 2020 and this increases to 23 (and 1,533 mares) including stallions with a Kingmambo bloodline in the second-generation pedigree. The top five sires, in terms of the number of mares covered, in 2020 were Kizuna (JPN) with 242, Epiphaneia (JPN) 240, Rey de Oro (JPN) 196, Moanin (USA) 190, Drefong (USA) 186. Kizuna is sired by Deep Impact, and Rey de Oro is sired by King Kamehameha. In 2019, Japanese breeding industry was struck by the double tragedy to lose its two champion stallions, Deep Impact and King Kamehameha. Though their influence will surely be around for some time, much attention is paid to who will be the next stallions to lead the industry.   
f we look at the number of broodmares in Japan, the figures reached a peak of about 15,287 in 1991. These 
figures fell to 12,000 and remained around that level until 2003. The numbers began to gradually decrease from that point up until 2014, when the actual number of broodmares reached 9,253, and slightly increased since then to 10,226 in 2020.    
apan bred fewer than 1,000 thoroughbreds a year through the 1940s and 50s. However, as the economy grew rapidly 
and horse racing developed, the number rose steadily to reach 10,188 foals during 1992.   An annual level in the upper 8,000s for foal crop had been maintained since 1997, but a declining trend began in 2003 and, 7,551 thoroughbred foals were registered in 2020. This is approximately the same number of foals as that of the late 1970s. This is a result of shifting from quantity to quality, as well as the steep decline in the demand for thoroughbreds caused by the closure of a number of Racing by Local Governments racecourses.  
Kizuna ©M.Ueda 
Deep Impact ©J.Fukuda 
Rey de Oro ©M.Ueda 
Epiphaneia ©M.Ueda 
Broodmares
28 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
apan has many festivals that feature horses. Horse racing organizations carefully preserve these forms of culture 
related to horses and undertake assistance in various forms to ensure that this heritage continues. A few examples follow below.     
his Shinto ceremony is very gallant with a tradition of over 800 years. Wearing samurai hunting uniforms of the 
Kamakura era, archers mount horses and, galloping swiftly on horseback, release arrows from their bows to hit three targets in a row. When this is achieved, they receive loud applause from the many attending fans. Yabusame is well known in foreign countries, as many foreign tourists can be seen among the audience. This Shinto ceremony is held twice a year on the spring equinox and autumn equinox to appease the spirits of their ancestors.    
 ating back over a millennium, the Soma wild horse roundup originated as a form of military training in which 
horses were used as a new military force. They were released in a pasture and were rounded-up by soldiers. The horses were then presented at a shrine as part of the festival rites. Succeeding generations of Soma clan leaders continued this rite dating from 1323 to the Meiji Restoration.  Held every July, the Soma Nomaoi festival was designated an important national intangible folk culture treasure in 1978.    
egun by the Mizuno lords of the ancient Yamagata fief, this richly traditional horseback lacrosse is part of the 
Horetsu Shrine’s annual festival events in Yamagata Prefecture. 
   Groups of five or six riders are divided into red and white teams and try to put balls called “agedama,” which are marked with the Chinese character for ten, into the goal. This is a two-team, horseback contest in which the red team attempts to scoop up red balls using nets mounted on poles and put them through the goal’s round opening while the white team does the same with white balls. A bell is rung to announce goals made by the white team. Inversely, a drum is beat when goals are made by the red team. The Imperial Household Agency, Yamagata Prefecture’s Horetsu Shrine, and Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, still carry on this tradition today.      
t is said that Heian-era warriors used pennants on the battlefield as protection against arrows. The Imperial 
Household Agency’s equestrian division carries on this traditional cultural event. Horohiki is performed by two riders mounted on Yamato era saddles, each with a 10-meter-long pennant secured to his/her back. The horses’ gait quickens from a walk to a trot and then to a gallop. Their legs move in unison (i.e., the same legs moving at the same time). The two riders release the long pennants a little, until they are fully deployed. A green and white pennant symbolizes the spring season, while a red and white pennant symbolizes the fall.    
n 1973, the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders’ Association (JBBA) established a welfare program that enables 
champion horses to live out the final years of their lives in ease after completing stud/broodmare service following the completion of an active career. The Bloodhorse Training Center also started a subsidy program from 1996 to place famous retired horses at privately owned farms for public viewing and Japan Association for International Racing and Stud Book (JAIRS) took over the duty from 2013.  
©HADA 
Yabusame Shinto Ceremony (Japanese Archery on Horseback) 
Soma Nomaoi  (Soma Wild-Horse Roundup) 
Dakyu (Horseback Lacrosse)
Horohiki  
Thoroughbred life after retirement
29 |  
 apan’s advocacy led to the inauguration of the Asian Racing Conference (ARC), whose objectives are the 
promotion of horse racing, goodwill and mutual 
understanding among Asian nations based on exchanges among members. The first conference took place in Japan in May 1960, and the 8th, the 18th and the 32nd conferences were also held in Tokyo in 1969, 1985 and 2008 respectively. There are now 21 full member countries, one associate member country and five affiliate member countries belonging to the primary racing association in Asia. At the 28th conference in Bangkok in 2001, it was decided to change the name of the Asian Racing Conference to the Asian Racing Federation (abbreviated as ARF) with ARC designating the conferences only. Dr. Koji Sato, JRA Presidential Counselor for Foreign Affairs of that time, became the first Japanese to be elected as the Chairman of ARF in 2009. In 2014, Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO was elected as the Chairman to replace Dr. Sato, with Australiana and Japan as the co-vice chairman. Hong Kong is also concurrently undertaking the responsibilities of secretariat.  The Executive Council consists of nominees from Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, India and New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The Executive Council meets approximately four times a year. The 38th ARC was held in February 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa and the 39th ARC is scheduled to be held in February 2022 in Melbourne, Australia.                
 n 1993, Japan proposed to India the establishment of the Asian Stud Book Conference (ASBC), the current Asian 
& Oceanian Stud Book Committee (AOSBC). The first conference was then held jointly by Japan and India on the day preceding the 1995 Asian Racing Conference (ARC), which was held in India. The following guidelines were established under a new system and co-chaired by India and Japan. ・ Subsequent conferences will be held on the day 
immediately before any ARC. 
・Japan assumes the responsibilities of the secretariat. ・India and Japan are co-chairmen of the committee. Only the Indian and Japanese stud books were internationally approved by the International Stud Book Committee (ISBC) from among the participating countries at the time of the first meeting in 1995. Today, there are 15 Asian and Oceanian countries with stud books that have been approved by ISBC.  The 15th AOSBC was held in February 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa, and the 16th AOSBC is scheduled in February 2022 in Melbourne, Australia.  
              
Asian & Oceanian  Stud Book Committee (AOSBC)
Asian Racing Conference
30 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
he Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians (ICRAV) is an advisory organization that confers on 
issues of racehorse dope testing and veterinary treatment. They also propose technical measures to the International Federation of Horse racing Authorities (IFHA). ICRAV is made up of a panel of experts that makes proposals on issues related to horse racing, from such fields as body analysis, veterinary treatment and other measures, to the Advisory Council on Prohibited Substances, a sub-organization of the IFHA executive committee. To date, ICRAV has discussed definitions of prohibited substances, the establishment of thresholds for prohibited substances, doping tests for jockeys and other related matters and submitted recommendations to IFHA on these topics. The 16th meeting was held in Tokyo in 2006 and the 22nd meeting was held in March 2018 in UAE. The next ICRAV meeting is scheduled to be held in September 2022 in Hong Kong. 
                
he ITBF, formerly known as “International Breeders’ Meeting (IBM)”, is the only international conference in 
which the world's leading thoroughbred breeding nations participate. It is held once every one or two years. The meeting provides a common venue for the exchange of views between the breeding industries of the world and for discussions covering the various aspects of thoroughbred breeding and distribution. The ITBF has its historical origins in bilateral meetings that were held periodically between Irish and British breeders' associations in the 1950s and 1960s. France joined in 1968 and the U.S. in 1978. The organization now comprises 16 full-member nations, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, the U.K. and the U.S. The meeting in 2006 was held in Tokyo, with the most recent conference in Lexington, Kentucky in the U.S. in October 2018. The next ITBF meeting is scheduled to be held in June 2022 in Newmarket, UK.      apan has attended meetings of the International Federation of Horse racing Authorities’ global racing conference annually since 1973. This international conference is held once a year in Paris in conjunction with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Japan has since been named to the executive council of the federation’s leadership committee, as a member representing Asia. As the standard of horse racing in Japan has risen, the country’s responsibilities in the worldwide racing society have become heavier.              
International Conference of Racing  Analysts and Veterinarians (ICRAV) 
International Thoroughbred 
Breeders’ Federation (ITBF)
International Federation of  Horse racing Authorities (IFHA)  
 References 
31 |  
1862 Foreign residents of Yokohama hold the first Western-style horse races in Japan.  1882 First Western-style races are held by Japanese organizers. 
 1888 Horse race betting tickets are sold for the first time.  1895 14 horses are imported from Australia.  1905 Implicit government approval is given for horse racing and betting to encourage horse breeding.  1906 The Tokyo Racing Society Inc. holds the first modern race meeting at Ikegami Racecourse. Corruption flourishes as a result of the unchecked proliferation of similar organizations and racecourses.  1908 The sale of betting tickets for horse races is prohibited by the enactment of a new penal code that institutes sweeping bans on various forms of gambling. However, in a move to ensure the viability of horse racing and to improve breeding stocks, the government introduces a series of subsidies for racing.  1910 Local horse and cattle breeding associations (later stockbreeders’ associations) gain permission to conduct regional racing under a revamped regulatory system. Betting, however, remains prohibited.  1923 The Horse Racing Law is enacted, giving rise to the establishment of 11 horse racing clubs that are permitted to organize races and sell betting tickets. Regional racing, however, does not come under the jurisdiction of the Horse Racing Law.  1927 Regional racing regulations are enacted, under which stockbreeders’ associations and national federations are permitted to hold horse races, sell admission tickets with a bonus betting ticket and award prizes, rather than cash, to the winning ticket holders.  1932 The first Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) is held.  1936 The Japan Racing Society, a semi-governmental public enterprise, is established under amendments to the Horse Racing Law. Racing begins to flourish under government supervision.  1939 The Law to Conserve Military Equine Resources is enacted. Racing of military parade horses is permitted, as is the sale of winning horse tickets, the equivalent of pari-mutuel tickets.  1941 St. Lite becomes the first Triple Crown winner. 
 1943 Horse racing is suspended due to intensifying hostilities in World War II.  1945 World War II ends.  1946 Horseracing in Tokyo and Kyoto is re-started. The regional Horse Racing Law is enacted. The organization of 
races is restricted to the Federation of Horse Associations and its national body, the Japan Equine Society, which is disbanded soon afterwards.  1948 The Japan Racing Society is dissolved, and a new Horse Racing Law is enacted. The government takes over the assets of the former Japan Racing Society and administers horse racing under a national structure. However, Local government bodies, such as prefectures and designated municipalities, are permitted to organize local racing.   1954 JRA is organized to operate National Racing by the enactment of the Japan Racing Association Law.   1958 Hakuchikara races in the U.S.A., becoming the first Japanese horse to compete abroad.  1959 Hakuchikara wins the Washington Birthday Handicap Stakes.  1960 The first Asian Racing Conference is held in Tokyo.  1962 The NAR is established to implement a nationally coordinated framework for registration and licensing for Racing by Local Governments.  1971 Import restrictions on racehorses are eased.  1973 The first JRA representative attends the International Conference of Racing Authorities in Paris.  1974 JRA joins the International Agreement on Breeding and Racing.  1976 Telephone betting is introduced.  1979 Japan becomes Asia’s representative member on the first International Stud Book Committee.  1981 The first Japan Cup is held.  1987 The World Super Jockeys Series is launched.  1992 The first Young Jockeys World Championship is held. JRA opens its first overseas representative office in London.  1994 Lisa Cropp of New Zealand becomes the first overseas jockey to receive a short-term riding license in Japan.  1995 The first Asian Stud Book Conference, organized by India and Japan, is held in Hyderabad, India; Japan is selected as the permanent secretariat country.  1996 JRA’s first female jockeys begin their riding careers.  1997 The number of JRA Personal Access Terminal (PAT) subscribers surpasses 500,000.  A joint JRA/local graded dirt race system is introduced.  1998 Japanese horses win G1 races in France; Seeking the 
References 
32 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
Pearl claims the Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1), and Taiki Shuttle triumphs in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1).  1999 El Condor Pasa wins the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) and Agnes World wins the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (G1).  2000 Agnes World becomes the first Japan-trained horse to win a UK G1 race, the Darley July Cup.  T. M. Opera O maintains an undefeated record during the year with five G1 wins.   2001 Two foreign-bred horses run in the Japanese Derby for the first time. Stay Gold, Eishin Preston and Agnes Digital have respective G1 victories in the Hong Kong Vase, Hong Kong Mile and Hong Kong Cup. 
2002 Eishin Preston wins HK’s Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1).  Sire Sunday Silence (16) dies of debilitation leading to heart failure at Shadai Stallion Station. New Zealand jockey Rochelle Lockett wins the Nakayama Daishogai, the first JRA graded race victory in Japan by a woman. 
2003 Eishin Preston wins HK’s QE II Cup for the second consecutive year.  Still in Love achieves the second Filly Triple Crown for the first time in 17 years.  
2004 JRA introduces trifecta as a new type of betting ticket.  2005 Cesario captures the American Oaks (G1) and becomes the first horse to win both the American and Japanese Oaks.  Deep Impact becomes the sixth colt in history to win the Triple Crown. Their Imperial Highnesses, The Emperor and Empress visit Tokyo Racecourse.  2006 Heart’s Cry wins the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1). Cosmo Bulk wins the Singapore Airlines International Cup (G1), the first overseas win for a NAR registered racehorse. Japan-trained Delta Blues and Pop Rock finish one-two in the Melbourne Cup (G1). The International Cataloguing Standards Committee promotes Japan to a Part 1 nation in 2007. 
2007 Admire Moon wins the Dubai Duty Free (G1).  Shadow Gate and Cosmo Bulk finish one-two in the SAIC.  
2008 The 32nd ARC is held in Tokyo.  2010 Apapane becomes the third filly in history to capture the Filly’s Triple Crown.  2011 Victoire Pisa wins the Dubai World Cup (G1).  Orfevre becomes the seventh colt in history to capture the Triple Crown.  2012 Gentildonna becomes the fourth filly in history to capture Filly Triple Crown.  Rulership wins the HK’s QEII Cup. Lord Kanaloa wins the Hong Kong Sprint (G1). 
 2013 Lord Kanaloa wins the HK Sprint for the second consecutive year.   2014 Just a Way and Gentildonna win the Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Sheema Classic, respectively. Just a Way, which wins the Duty Free by 6 1/4 lengths, becomes the first ever Japan-based horse to claim the sole No. 1 position in the Longine's World's Best Racehorse Rankings.  Hana's Goal wins All Aged Stakes (G1). Admire Rakti score a win in the Caulfield Cup (G1).  2015 Two world-class riders, Italian Mirco Demuro and Frenchman Christophe Lemaire are granted full-term jockey licenses by JRA.  Real Impact wins the George Ryder Stakes (G1). Maurice and A Shin Hikari capture the HK Mile and Cup respectively.   2016 JRA commences its first simulcasting for overseas races. Real Steel wins the Dubai Turf (G1).  Japanese horses win top races in France; A Shin Hikari claims the Prix d'Ispahan (G1), and Makahiki triumphs in the Prix Niel (G2). Maurice wins the HK Champions Mile (G1) in April and the HK Cup in December. Satono Crown also wins HK Vase.  2017 Vivlos wins the Dubai Turf.  Neorealism wins the HK’s QEII Cup.  JRA Jockey Yutaka Take receives the 2017 Longines and IFHA International Award of Merit for the first time as a Japanese.  2018 Almond Eye becomes the fifth filly in history to capture Filly Triple Crown and wins the Japan Cup in record time.  JRA Jockey Yutaka Take celebrates his 4,000th career win on JRA horse. NAR Jockey Fumio Matoba breaks the NAR record for career wins when claiming 7,152nd victory.  2019 Jockey Christophe Lemaire becomes the JRA's leading jockey for the third consecutive year. Seven Japanese horses triumph in eight G1 races abroad including Almond Eye’s win in the Dubai Turf (G1) and Deirdre’s win in Nassau Stakes (G1). Japan’s two champion sires, Deep Impact (17) and King Kamehameha (18) die at Shadai Stallion Station and Japan Cup is named as the Deep Impact Memorial in honor of late champion. JRA’s only female jockey Nanako Fujita wins Women Jockeys' World Cup at Bro Park in Stockholm, Sweden.  2020 JRA & NAR race meetings are held without spectators, due to the influence of COVID-19. Both colt and filly capture the respective Triple Crown title in the same year for the first time in JRA history - Contrail becomes only the third undefeated Triple Crown winner, while Daring Tact becomes the first-ever undefeated Filly Triple Crown winner as well.  Almond Eye retires with a record-breaking ninth G1 win in the Japan Cup and her total earnings reaches over ¥1.9 billion, a record high in JRA history. Danon Smash and Normcore wins the HK sprint (G1) and HK Cup (G1), respectively. 
 References 
33 |  
   JRA Racing 
                                         
*The National Association of Racing 
                                             
・Horse racing operation 
・Pari-mutuel betting 
  system operation 
・Management of  
  racecourses and other 
  facilities 
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 
Local Government 
Bodies 
・Horse racing operation ・Pari-mutuel betting   system operation ・Management of    racecourses and other   facilities 
Grooms 
Owners 
Trainers 
Jockeys 
Assistant Trainers 
Grooms 
Breeder 
Owners 
Trainers 
Jockeys 
Assistant Trainers 
Racing by Local Governments 
Supervision/ Guidance 
Supervision/ Guidance 
Licensing 
Licensing 
Approval 
Approval 
Registration 
Registration 
Licensing 
Licensing 
Licensing 
Approval 
Specialist 
Advisors 
Sale/Purchase of racehorses 
Training contracts 
Employment Riding contracts 
Employment 
Sale/Purchase of racehorses 
Training contracts 
Employment Riding contracts 
Employment 
Breeder 
References 
34 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
                                             
Birth Sales 
Breeding Stable 
Retirement 
Racing 
 References 
35 |  
                                              
Birth 
Number of Births 7,556 Thoroughbred: 7,551 Anglo-Arab: 5 Breeders (as of December 31, 2020) 1,016 Hokkaido: 825 (81%) Other regions: 191 (19%)  
Sales 
Form of Transaction (estimates for thoroughbreds) Private sales: 1,897 Not sold: 335 Sold in foal: 353 Public sales: 1,095 JRA-purchased horses: 68 Membership corporations: 831 Other: 831 Total: 5,410  
Stable 
Racehorse Registration JRA Thoroughbred: 5,410 [340 from NAR] NAR Thoroughbred: 5,393 [3,457 from JRA]  
Retirement 
Retired from Racing  JRA Breeding: 614 [Stallions: 25] [Mares: 589] To NAR: 3,498 Died: 140 Riding horses: 877 Others: 94 Total: 5,223  NAR Breeding: 674 [Stallions: 30] [Mares: 644] To JRA: 377 Died: 836 Riding horses: 1,599 Cancellation of registration  (due to not running a horse for a 
designated period of time): 1,512 Others: 25 Total: 5,023  
Racing 
Horse Racing Community Figures  JRA (as of January 1, 2021) Owners: 2,599 [Private: 2,204] [Corporate: 341] [Syndicate: 54] Trainers: 200 Assistant trainers: 1,699 Grooms: 636 Jockeys: 135 NAR Owners: 4,848 Trainers: 437 Assistant trainers: 49 Grooms: 2,129 Jockeys: 276 JRA Registered horses (monthly average): 8,570 Horses in stables (monthly average): 3,532 Number of stalls: 3,876 [Miho Training Center: 1,942] [Ritto Training Center: 1,934] Race days: 288 Number of races: 3,456 [2yo: 636] [3yo and up: 2,695] [Jump: 125] Actual number of runners: 11,692 Total number of runners: 48,127 Average races run per horse: 4.1 Average runners per race: 13.9 NAR Registered horses: 13,007 Thoroughbred: 12,126 Ban-ei: 881 Race days: 1,298 Number of races: 14,934 Thoroughbred (flat race): 13,212 Ban-ei: 1,722 Actual number of runners: 14,647 Total number of runners: 149,779 Average races run per horse: 9.8 Average runners per race: 10.0  
Breeding 
Broodmares  (thoroughbred): 10,226 Stallions  (thoroughbred): 263 [Domestic: 197] [Imported:  66]  
References 
36 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
                                                
                                               
■ Major breeding region ■ JRA racecourses ■ Local government racecourses 
■ Sapporo ■ Obihiro 
TOKACHI 
■ Hakodate 
■ Fukushima 
■ Chukyo 
■ Niigata 
■ Kyoto Hanshin ■ 
■ Kokura 
■ Kasamatsu 
■ Mizusawa 
Monbetsu ■ 
■ Morioka 
■ Kanazawa 
■ Kochi 
Himeji ■ 
■ Nagoya 
Saga ■ 
HIDAKA 
IBURI 
MIYAZAKI 
KAGOSHIMA 
JRA Ritto Training Center 
NAR Jockey Training Institute 
JRA Miyazaki Yearling Training Farm 
JRA Hidaka Training  and Research Center 
JRA Equine Research  Institute – Sports Science Research Center 
CLOSE-UP OF KANSAI REGION 
CLOSE-UP OF KANTO REGION 
Tokyo ■ 
■ Funabashi 
Urawa ■ 
Kawasaki ■ 
JRA Miho Training Center 
JRA Main Office NAR Office 
JRA Equestrian Park 
Nakayama 
JRA Horse Racing School 
■ Sonoda 
 References 
37 |  
RACES     Unit: Races 
Year Racing days Races 
Flat Jump Total 
2011 288 3,320 122 3,454 
2012 288 3,321 133 3,454 
2013 288 3,324 130 3,454 
2014 288 3,326 125 3,451 
2015 288 3,326 128 3,454 
2016 288 3,326 128 3,454 
2017 288 3,329 126 3,455 
2018 288 3,328 126 3,454 
2019 288 3,325 127 3,452 
2020 288 3,331 125 3,456 
       
Unit: Races 
Year Racing days Races 
Thoroughbred Anglo-Arab Ban-ei Total 
2011 1,398 14,156 0 1,798 16,047 
2012 1,374 13,396 0 1,842 15,238 
2013 1,300 12,668 0 1,685 14,353 
2014 1,287 12,486 0 1,685 14,171 
2015 1,287 12,723 0 1,672 14,395 
2016 1,286 12,892 0 1,639 14,531 
2017 1,297 13,078 0 1,672 14,750 
2018 1,277 13,044 0 1,633 14,677 
2019 1,280 13,119 0 1,660 14,779 
2020 1,298 13,212 0 1,722 14,934 
           
Number of JRA Races 
Number of NAR Races 
References 
38 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
Unit: Races  
Year Thoroughbred Flat Thoroughbred Jump 
Actual Overall Actual Overall 
2011 10,823 47,389 562(302) 1,578 
2012 10,837 48,097 552 (307) 1,682 
2013 10,834 48,293 533 (292) 1,608 
2014 10,803 48,560 507 (292) 1,584 
2015 10,891 48,240 509 (274) 1,582 
2016 10,939 48,331 505 (269) 1,579 
2017 11,031 47,585 497 (263) 1,563 
2018 11,167 46,869 502(282) 1,564 
2019 11,292 45,777 504(250) 1,568 
2020 11,431 46,564 492(231) 1,563 
Note: Runners reflected in parenthesis in the figures for jump races are for runners that have also run in flat races.         
      
Unit: Races  
Year Thoroughbred Anglo-Arab Ban-ei 
Actual Overall Actual Overall Actual Overall 
2011 12,949 132,613 18 264 734 17,071 
2012 12,670 133,345 6 78 778 16,362 
2013 12,452 129,193 1 5 783 14,560 
2014 12,022 125,595 0 0 688 14,587 
2015 11,761 125,231 0 0 671 14,648 
2016 11,731 126,817 0 0 701 14,099 
2017 12,011 128,706 0 0 684 14,610 
2018 12,693 129,730 0 0 740 14,566 
2019 13,303 133,058 0 0 777 15,007 
2020 13,794 134,050 0 0 853 15,729 
JRA Racing: Actual and Overall Runners 
NAR Racing: Actual and Overall Runners 
 References 
39 |  
Year Number of JRA Registered thoroughbreds Number of thoroughbred Races 
Total Foreign bred % Total Mixed Races % 
2011 7,933 282 3.55% 3,453(134) 1,980(134) 57.3(100.0)% 
2012 7,925 299 3.77% 3,454(134) 1,980(134) 57.3(100.0)% 
2013 7,869 252 3.20% 3,454(134) 1,980(134) 57.3(100.0)% 
2014 7,765 248 3.19% 3,451(136) 1,977(136) 57.3(100.0)% 
2015 7,789 274 3.52% 3,454(136) 1,980(136) 57.3(100.0)% 
2016 8,262 267 3.23% 3,454(138) 1,980(138) 57.3(100.0)% 
2017 8,428 237 2.81% 3,455(138) 1,980(138) 57.3(100.0)% 
2018 8,597 253 2.94% 3,454(141) 1,980(141) 57.3(100.0%) 
2019 8,803 309 3.51% 3,452(139) 1,999(139) 57.9(100.0%) 
2020 8,911 294 3.30% 3,456(139) 2,023(139) 58.5(100.0%) 
Notes: 1. Mixed races are open to foreign thoroughbreds that have not been raced abroad. 
2. Numbers in parentheses refer to the number of graded races. 
  2 y.o. Flat 3 y.o. and up Flat Jump Total 
Number of Races A 636 2,695 125 3,456 
Number of actual runners B 3,409 8,022 491 (230) 11,692 
Number of overall runners C 8,601 37,963 1,563 48,127 
Added money (¥)   8,590,740,000 60,207,542,000 2,869,210,000 71,667,492,000 
Total prize money (¥) D 15,389,523,750 90,230,992,250 3,850,380,500 109,470,896,500 
Prize money per race (¥) D/A 24,197,364 33,480,888 30,803,044 31,675,607 
Prize money per runner (¥) D/B 4,514,381 11,247,942 7,841,915 9,362,889 
Prize money per runner (¥) D/C 1,789,271 2,376,814 2,463,455 2,274,625 
Notes: 1. "y.o." stands for "year-old" 
2. Total prize money includes added and stakes money, and additional allowances. 3. Runners reflected in parenthesis in the figures for jump races are for runners that have also run in flat races. 
Unit: ¥ million  
JRA NAR 
"Thoroughbred Added Money" Thoroughbred Anglo-Arab Ban-ei Total 
2011 67,265.7 14,220.7 0 236.1 14.456.8 
2012 64,925.4 14,617.5 0 208.3 14,825.9 
2013 65,478.7 14,453.3 0 182.1 14,635.4 
2014 66,460.0 14,435.9 0 182.4 14,618.4 
2015 67,685.4 14,706.0 0 231.0 14,937.1 
2016 68,812.8 16,056.2 0 285.6 16,341.9 
2017 69,652.1 18,218.9 0 321.2 18,540.1 
2018 70,242.8 19,119.4 0 382.8 19,502.1 
2019 70,486.6 20,894.8 0 446.6 21,341.4 
2020 71,667.5 22,500.2 0 568.6 23,068.9 
JRA Racing: Statistics of Foreign-Bred Thoroughbreds 
JRA Racing : Prize Money per Race and Runner in 2020 
JRA and NAR Prize Money 
References 
40 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
(millions) 
BETTING   
Unit: ¥ million  
Year Total on-course betting 
"off-course 
betting(including telephonebetting)" 
Ratio (on:off) "Racecourse Attendance" 
2011 2,293,578.05 96,566.30 2,197,011.70 4:96 6,151,105 
2012 2,394,308.85 96,592.14 2,297,716.70 4:96 6,190,296 
2013 2,404,933.51 94,373.23 2,310,560.27 3.9:96.1 6,092,403 
2014 2,493,627.72 92,261.53 2,401,366.19 3.7:96.3 6,142,471 
2015 2,583,391.86 91,162.17 2,492,229.69 3.5:96.5 6,317,073 
2016 2,670,880.26 88,000.85 2,582,879.40 3.3:96.7 6,300,662 
2017 2,747,662.48 85,513.65 2,662,148.82 3.1:96.9 6,175,238 
2018 2,795,008.30 83,991.38 2,711,016.92 3:97 6,266,912 
2019 2,881,788.66 81,159.37 2,800,629.29 2.8:97.2 6,236,197 
2020 2,983,455.87 15,542.95 2,967,912.92 0.5:99.5 990,097 
            Note: Racecourse attendance is restricted due to COVID-19 in 2020.                  
Type of racing Racing days Turnover Share (%) Attendance 
JRA 288 2,983,455,872,000 45.8% 990,970 
NAR 1,298 863,225,443,180 13.3% 975,159 
Bicycle Racing 2,139 680,824,694,500 10.5% 1,306,443 
Motorcycle Racing 524 85,737,123,900 1.3% 605,473 
Motorboat Racing 4,583 1,901,487,602,100 29.2% 4,713,306 
Grand Total 8,832 6,514,730,735,680 100.00% 8,591,351 
Notes: 1. Total comprises the period from January 1 to December 31 for all types of racing. 
2. Attendance figures for motorboat racing includes patrons utilizing off-course and telephone betting facilities. 
JRA Racing : Total Betting Turnover and Attendance 
NAR Total Betting Turnover and Attendance 
Racing days, Turnover and Attendance by Types of Racing 2020 
(millions) 
(¥billions) 
(¥billions) 
 References 
41 |  
Unit: Head  
Year Stallions Thoroughbred mares covered Thoroughbred Foals 
2011 243 9,379 7,076 
2012 230 9,334 6,828 
2013 223 9,301 6,836 
2014 223 9,253 6,888 
2015 218 9,371 6,846 
2016 227 9,483 6,902 
2017 242 9,633 7,080 
2018 230 9,870 7,244 
2019 241 9,999 7,387 
2020 263 10,226 7,551 
              
Unit: Head  
Year Total Stallions Broodmares 
Total 
Broodmares 
Pregnant 
Broodmares  Not Pregnant 
Racehorses 
Total C and H F and M 
2011 237 2 81 38 43 154 93 61 
2012 212 5 76 39 37 131 84 47 
2013 206 5 95 40 55 106 70 36 
2014 243 4 111 89 22 128 79 49 
2015 239 3 102 34 68 134 78 56 
2016 247 2 98 35 63 147 79 68 
2017 237 1 106 49 57 130 80 50 
2018 303 3 111 51 60 189 126 63 
2019 304 8 123 72 51 173 109 64 
2020 259 6 124 72 52 129 75 54 
           
Numbers of Thoroughbred Stallions, Mares Covered and Foals 
Imports of Foreign-Bred Thoroughbred  
References 
42 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
Unit: Head  
Year Total Great Britain Ireland France United States Other 
2011 2 1 - - 1 - 
2012 5 - 1 1 3 - 
2013 5 - 2 - 3 - 
2014 4 1 - - 3 - 
2015 3 - 1 - 2 - 
2016 2 - - - 2 - 
2017 1 1 - - - - 
2018 3 - - - 3 - 
2019 8 1 - - 6 1 
2020 6 1 1 - 4 - 
Unit: ¥ thousand  
Year Lots Number of sold Total amount Highest Lowest Average 
2011 2,685 1,352 9,912,693 378,000 315 7,332 
2012 2,537 1,363 10,843,528 262,500 315 7,331 
2013 2,370 1,401 11,951,940 189,000 315 8,531 
2014 2,395 1,526 12,743,503 280,800 216 8,350 
2015 2,439 1,660 15,110,182 253,800 216 9,102 
2016 2,472 1,706 17,065,404 280,800 324 10,003 
2017 2,407 1,896 19,778,904 291,600 216 10,431 
2018 2,588 1,897 20,609,640 270,000 432 10,864 
2019 2,648 1,990 22,368,026 388,800 324 11,240 
2020 2,672 2,092 24,369,455 561,000 550 11,649 
               
Imported Thoroughbred Stallions by Number and Origin 
Thoroughbred Yearling Sales 
(¥thousand) 
 References 
43 |  
 Year of birth Sire Dam Runners Winners Wins Earnings(￥) 
1 Deep Impact (JPN) 2002 Sunday Silence Wind In Her Hair 523 227 346 8,067,825,500 
2 Lord Kanaloa (JPN) 2008 King Kamehameha Lady Blossom 477 223 392 4,374,007,500 
3 Heart's Cry (JPN) 2001 Sunday Silence Irish Dance 427 181 286 3,283,159,000 
4 Orfevre (JPN) 2008 Stay Gold Oriental Art 372 165 312 2,777,167,000 
5 King Kamehameha (JPN) 2001 Kingmambo Manfath 310 140 218 2,617,710,000 
6 Rulership (JPN) 2007 King Kamehameha Air Groove 434 179 272 2,451,711,000 
7 Daiwa Major (JPN) 2001 Sunday Silence Scarlet Bouquet 367 150 234 2,217,983,000 
8 Gold Allure (JPN) 1999 Sunday Silence Nikiya 328 160 335 2,002,166,000 
9 Henny Hughes (USA) 2003 Hennessy Meadow Flyer 309 163 292 1,980,039,000 
10 South Vigorous (USA) 1996 End Sweep Darkest Star 421 240 484 1,973,763,500 
 11 Kinshasa no Kiseki (AUS) 2003 Fuji Kiseki Keltshaan 347 154 282 1,895,782,000 
12 Kizuna (JPN) 2010 Deep Impact Catequil 255 133 214 1,822,450,000 
13 Epiphaneia (JPN) 2010 Symboli Kris S Cesario 243 82 109 1,641,242,000 
14 Kurofune (USA) 1998 French Deputy Blue Avenue 302 144 276 1,389,077,500 
15 Pyro (USA) 2005 Pulpit Wild Vision 318 145 272 1,378,585,500 
16 Harbinger (GB) 2006 Dansili Penang Pearl 289 93 133 1,342,817,000 
17 Screen Hero (JPN) 2004 Grass Wonder Running Heroine 233 104 204 1,316,837,000 
18 Stay Gold (JPN) 1994 Sunday Silence Golden Sash 157 59 108 1,312,793,500 
19 Just a Way (JPN) 2009 Heart's Cry Sibyl 221 102 157 1,273,837,000 
20 Sinister Minister (USA) 2003 Old Trieste Sweet Minister 265 149 308 1,091,565,500 
Stallion Year of birth Sire Dam Runners Winners Wins Earning(￥) 
1 Deep Impact (JPN) 2002 Sunday Silence Wind In Her Hair 87 27 34 487,257,000 
2 Duramente (JPN) 2012 King Kamehameha Admire Groove 105 35 43 406,352,000 
3 Maurice (JPN) 2011 Screen Hero Mejiro Frances 113 32 35 393,018,000 
4 Kizuna (JPN) 2010 Deep Impact Catequil 94 31 32 351,107,000 
5 Epiphaneia (JPN) 2010 Symboli Kris S Cesario 104 24 26 331,632,000 
6 Henny Hughes (USA) 2003 Hennessy Meadow Flyer 59 22 33 296,795,000 
7 Lord Kanaloa (JPN) 2008 King Kamehameha Lady Blossom 103 24 26 276,791,000 
8 Rulership (JPN) 2007 King Kamehameha Air Groove 101 22 24 263,841,000 
9 South Vigorous (USA) 1996 End Sweep Darkest Star 77 35 52 232,522,000 
10 Makfi (GB) 2007 Dubawi Dhelaal 76 19 26 222,993,000 
Stallion Year of birth Sire Dam Runners Winners Wins Earnings(¥) 
1 King Kamehameha (JPN) 2001 Kingmambo Manfath 660 297 511 4,027,240,000 
2 Sunday Silence (USA) 1986 Halo Wishing Well 818 346 589 3,880,197,000 
3 Kurofune (USA) 1998 French Deputy Blue Avenue 615 271 446 3,002,703,000 
4 Agnes Tachyon (JPN) 1998 Sunday Silence Agnes Flora 709 274 469 2,763,516,500 
5 French Deputy (USA) 1992 Deputy Minister Mitterand 473 220 406 2,301,371,500 
6 Deep Impact (JPN) 2002 Sunday Silence Wind In Her Hair 453 182 289 2,287,997,500 
7 Symboli Kris S (USA) 1999 Kris S. Tee Kay 458 214 380 2,250,949,000 
8 Fuji Kiseki (JPN) 1992 Sunday Silence Millracer 593 253 438 2,146,266,000 
9 Dance in the Dark (JPN) 1993 Sunday Silence Dancing Key 510 211 375 2,033,278,500 
10 Brian’s Time (USA) 1985 Roberto Kelley's Day 463 208 351 1,874,329,000 
Leading Broodmare Sires by Money Earned in 2020  
Leading Sires of 2-y-os (Leading Juvenile Sires by Money Earned in 2020)  
Leading Sires by Money Earned (2020) 
References 
44 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
 Name Date of Birth (M/D/Y) Sire Dam Result 
Seeking the Pearl(USA) 4/16/94 Seeking the Gold (USA) Page Proof (USA) Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1, France) Win 
Taiki Shuttle (USA) 3/23/94 Devil’s Bag (USA) Welsh Muffin (GB) Prix Jacques le Marois (G1, France) Win 
El Condor Pasa (USA) 3/17/95 Kingmambo (USA) Saddlers Gal (IRE) 
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1, France) Win Prix d'Ispahan (G1, France) Second Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1, France) Second 
Agnes World (USA) 4/28/95 Danzig (USA) Mysteries (USA) Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (G1, France) Win 
2000 Agnes World (USA) 4/28/95 Danzig (USA) Mysteries (USA) July Cup (G1, GB) Win 
To the Victory 2/22/96 Sunday Silence (USA) Fairy Doll (USA) Dubai World Cup (G1, UAE) Second 
Stay Gold 3/24/94 Sunday Silence (USA) Golden Sash Hong Kong Vase (G1, HK) Win 
Eishin Preston (USA) 4/9/97 Green Dancer (USA) Warranty Applied (USA) Hong Kong Mile (G1, HK) Win 
Agnes Digital (USA) 5/15/97 Crafty Prospector (USA) Chancey Squaw (USA) Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Win 
Eishin Preston (USA) 4/9/97 Green Dancer (USA) Warranty Applied (USA) Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Win 
Agnes Digital (USA) 5/15/97 Crafty Prospector (USA) Chancey Squaw (USA) Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Second  One-Two finish for Japan-trained horses 
Air Thule 3/10/97 Tony Bin (IRE) Ski Paradise (USA) Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1, France) Second 
Eishin Preston (USA) 4/9/97 Green Dancer (USA) Warranty Applied (USA) Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Win 
Lohengrin 6/8/99 Singspiel (IRE) Carling (FR) Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1, France) Second 
2004 Dance in the Mood 4/10/01 Sunday Silence (USA) Dancing Key (USA) American Oaks (G1, USA) Second 
Cesario 3/31/02 Special Week Kirov Premiere (GB) American Oaks (G1, USA) Win 
Zenno Rob Roy 3/27/00 Sunday Silence (USA) Roamin Rachel (USA) International Stakes (G1, GB) Second 
Eye Popper 3/21/00 Soccer Boy Sunday I. Caulfield Cup (G1, Australia) Second 
Six Sense 3/5/02 Sunday Silence (USA) Daneskaya (GB) Hong Kong Vase (G1, HK) Second 
Hat Trick 4/26/01 Sunday Silence (USA) Tricky Code (USA) Hong Kong Mile (G1, HK) Win 
Heart’s Cry 4/15/01 Sunday Silence (USA) Irish Dance Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, UAE) Win 
Cosmo Bulk 2/10/01 Zagreb (USA) Iseno Tosho International Cup (G1, Singapore) Win 
Asahi Rising 2/9/03 Royal Touch Asahi Mercury American Oaks (G1, USA) Second 
Delta Blues 5/3/01 Dance in the Dark Dixie Splash (USA) Melbourne Cup (G1, Australia) Win 
Pop Rock 3/19/01 Helissio (FR) Pops Melbourne Cup (G1, Australia) Second One-two finish for Japan-trained horses 
Admire Moon 2/23/03 End Sweep (USA) My Katies Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Second 
Admire Moon 2/23/03 End Sweep (USA) My Katies Dubai Duty Free (G1, UAE) Win 
Shadow Gate 3/23/02 White Muzzle (GB) Fabulous Turn International Cup (G1, Singapore) Win 
Cosmo Bulk 2/10/01 Zagreb (USA) Iseno Tosho International Cup (G1, Singapore) Second One-two finish for Japan-trained horses 
Buena Vista 3/14/06 Special Week Biwa Heidi Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, UAE) Second 
Nakayama Festa 4/5/06 Stay Gold Dear Wink Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1, France) Second 
Victoire Pisa 3/31/07 Neo Universe Whitewater Affair (GB) Dubai World Cup (G1, UAE) Win 
Transcend 3/9/06 Wild Rush (USA)  Cinema Scope Dubai World Cup (G1, UAE) Second One-two finish for Japan-trained horses 
2012 Rulership 5/15/07 King Kamehameha Air Groove Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Win 
Main Achievements of Japan Trained Horses Abroad (GI Races)  
 References 
45 |  
All JRA flat graded races have been opened to foreign-trained horses since 2010.  
Orfevre 5/14/08 Stay Gold Oriental Art Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1, France) Second 
Lord Kanaloa 3/11/08 King Kamehameha Lady Blossom Hong Kong Sprint (G1, HK) Win 
Jaguar Mail 5/8/04 Jungle Pocket Haya Beni Komachi Hong Kong Vase (GI1, HK) Second 
Gentildonna 2/20/09 Deep Impact Donna Blini (GB) Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, UAE) Second 
Orfevre 5/14/08 Stay Gold Oriental Art Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1, France) Second 
Lord Kanaloa 3/11/08 King Kamehameha Lady Blossom Hong Kong Sprint (G1, HK) Win for the second consecutive time 
Gentildonna 2/20/09 Deep Impact Donna Blini(GB) Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, UAE) Win 
Just A Way 3/8/09 Heart’s Cry Sibyl Dubai Duty Free (G1, UAE) Win 
Hana's Goal 4/24/09 Orewa Matteruze Shanghai Jell All Aged Stakes (G1, Australia) Win 
Admire Rakti 2/20/08 Heart’s Cry Admire Teresa  Caulfield Cup (G1, Australia) Win 
Real Impact 5/14/08 Deep Impact Tokio Reality(USA) George Ryder Stakes (G1, Australia) Win Doncaster Mile (G1, Australia) Second 
Staphanos 2/13/11 Deep Impact Kokoshnik Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Second 
Maurice 3/2/11 Screen Hero Mejiro Frances Hong Kong Mile (G1, HK) Win 
A Shin Hikari 5/3/11 Deep Impact Catalina(USA) Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Win 
Nuovo Record 2/25/11 Heart's Cry Omega Spirit Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Second One-two finish for Japan-trained horses 
Real Steel 3/1/12 Deep Impact Loves Only Me(USA) Dubai Turf (G1, UAE) Win 
Duramente 3/22/12 King Kamehameha Admire Groove Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, UAE) Second 
Maurice 3/2/11 Screen Hero Mejiro Frances Champions Mile (G1, HK) Win Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Win 
A Shin Hikari 5/3/11 Deep Impact Catalina(USA) Prix d'Ispahan (G1, France) Win 
Satono Crown 3/10/12 Marju(IRE) Jioconda(IRE) Hong Kong Vase (G1, HK) Win 
Vivlos 4/9/13 Deep Impact Halwa Sweet Dubai Turf (G1, UAE) Win 
Neorealism 3/22/11 Neo Universe Tokio Reality Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Win 
Vivlos 4/9/13 Deep Impact Halwa Sweet Dubai Turf (G1, UAE) Second Hong Kong Mile (G1, HK) Second 
Deirdre 4/4/14 Harbinger (GB) Reizend Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Second 
Matera Sky  3/18/14 Speightstown (USA) Mostaqeleh (USA) Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1, UAE) Second 
Almond Eye 3/10/15 Lord Kanaloa Fusaichi Pandra Dubai Turf (G1, UAE) Win 
Win Bright 5/12/14 Stay Gold Summer Eternity Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, HK) Win Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Win 
Deirdre 4/4/14 Harbinger (GB) Reizend Nassau Stakes (G1, GB) Win 
Mer de Glace 5/26/15 Rulership Glacier Blue Caulfield Cup (G1, Australia) Win 
Lys Gracieux 1/18/14 Heart's Cry Liliside (FR) Cox Plate (G1, Australia) Win 
Glory Vase 3/2/15 Deep Impact Mejiro Tsubone Hong Kong Vase (G1, HK) Win 
Lucky Lilac 4/3/15 Orfevre Lilacs and Lace (USA) Hong Kong Vase (G1, HK) Second One-two finish for Japan-trained horses 
Admire Mars 3/16/16 Daiwa Major Via Medici (IRE) Hong Kong Mile (G1, HK) Win 
Danon Smash 3/6/15 Lord Kanaloa Lord Kanaloa 
Spinning Wildcat (USA) Hong Kong Sprint (G1, HK) Win 
Normcore 
Normcore 
Normcore 
2/25/15 Harbinger (GB) Chronologist Hong Kong Cup (G1, HK) Win 
References 
46 | HORSE RACING IN JAPAN 2021 
On December 1, 2010, the “Japan Association for International Horse racing (JAIR),” which promotes the globalization of Japanese racing and mutual 
understanding with race organizations in other countries, and the “Japan Race Horse Registry (JRHR),” a central body for the registration of Japanese racehorses, merged into a single body, the Japan Association for International Racing and Stud Book (JAIRS). JAIRS now handles activities as a channel for a broad range of fields connected with racing industries all over the world. 
Mission: 
- Collection and dissemination of horse racing-related information, both domestic and abroad. - Exchange of information on techniques for the conduct of horse racing and the raising (training) of racehorse with persons connected with horse racing from abroad. - Conduct and support of international events relating to horse racing and participation in international conferences. - Registration of racehorses and the issuance of registration certificates. - Registration for the stud book and other books/records relating to horse racing and breeding. 
Website: 
http://japanracing.jp/ (most up-to-date news on Japanese racing, full coverage of all JRA races and local principal races, provided in English, Chinese, Korean, French) http://www.studbook.jp/ (Japanese Stud Book Database in English, Japanese) http://www.jairs.jp/ (Overseas horse racing information and domestic registration information in Japanese)              
Activities: 
1. Registration JAIRS conducts “Foal Registration,” which is to verify pedigree and identity, and “Breeding Registration,” which is to ensure the breeding record of the horse to be used as breeding stock. JAIRS examines all horses applied for such registration and issues certificate when registration is completed.  2. Overseas Racing Bulletin Periodical newsletter to provide Japanese racing connections/fans with information on overseas horse racing.  3. ARF Study Programs Training programs for personnel from the Asian Racing Federation to introduce Japan’s horse racing system and provide opportunities to promote exchange of 
information and international goodwill among member countries. Courses are divided into regular and specialized study programs. Over 400 participants have attended this program to date.  4. Publication of Stud Book JAIRS publishes all breeding records in Japan, as well as import and export of horses, on the internet as Japanese Stud Book Database.  5. Naming Upon receipt of application, JAIRS examines proposed names according to international and domestic rules and determines the name of the horse.             
Japan Association for International Racing and Stud Book (JAIRS)  
6th Floor, JRA Shimbashi Bunkan Building, 4-5-4 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0004, Japan Tel: +81-3434-5002 Fax: +81-3432-4668 URL: https://japanracing.jp/ (English, Chinese, Korean, French) 
https://www.studbook.jp/en/ (English) http://www.jairs.jp/ (Japanese)  
 References 
47 |  
      ■ International Department JRA Head Office, Roppongi Hills Gate Tower, 6-11-1, Roppongi,  Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8401, JAPAN TEL: +81-3-5785-7373 / FAX: +81-3-5785-7376 Email: inter@jra.go.jp / URL: https://japanracing.jp/ 
https://jra.jp/ (Japanese) 
 ■ JRA London Representative Office 4th Floor, 11 Argyll Street, London W1F 7TH, UNITED KINGDOM TEL: +44-20-7437-5053 / FAX: +44-20-7734-1984 Email: jralon@jrauk.com  ■ JRA Paris Representative Office 46 Place Abel Gance 92655 Boulogne Cedex, FRANCE Tel: +33-1-4910-2261  Email: contact@jraparis.com  ■ JRA New York Representative Office 300 Main Street, Suite 401, Stamford, CT 06901, U.S.A. TEL: +1-203-973-0661 / FAX: +1-203-973-0665 Email: info@nyjra.com  ■ JRA Hong Kong Representative Office 1705, Prosperity Millennia Plaza, 663 King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong TEL: +852-2840-1566 / FAX: +852-2840-1397 Email: racing@jra.com.hk  ■ JRA Sydney Representative Office Suite 24, Level 26, 44 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000 AUSTRALIA TEL: +61-2-9089-8884 / FAX: +61-2-9089-8849 Email: sydneyoffice@jraaus.com    2-2-1, Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8639, JAPAN Tel: +81-3-3583-6841 / Fax: +81-3-3585-0481 Email: intl@nar.keiba.go.jp / URL: https://www.goracing.jp/english/ 
https://www.keiba.go.jp/ (Japanese) 
 Please visit the following URL for other JRA institutions and related organizations: https://japanracing.jp/en/about/jra_organization/  
JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION (JRA)  
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RACING (NAR)  