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Japan Autumn International Races
Being held between the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Breeder's Cup Day in October and the Hong Kong International Races in December, the JAI aims to attract the best overseas horses to run in Japan. By preparing four consecutive Grade 1 races of different requirements, overseas horses in the same stable can travel together and yet run in separate races, providing more options for overseas connections.
Tokyo, Nakayama, Kyoto and Hanshin are known as the “big four” of the 10 racecourses of JRA, and, along with Chukyo, all Group 1 races are held at these five courses. Nakayama, Kyoto and Hanshin are right hand race courses. Horses run counter clockwise at Tokyo and Chukyo. The major races held in Japan are indicated in the table below
| Race | Racecourse | Distance | Age / Sex | Queen Elizabeth II
Commemorative Cup (G1) | Kyoto | 2200m
turf | 3yo&up
F&M | | Mile Championship (G1) | Kyoto | 1600m
turf | 3yo&up | | Japan Cup (G1) | Tokyo | 2400m
turf | 3yo&up | | Japan Cup Dirt (G1) | Hanshin | 1800m
dirt | 3yo&up | | World Super Jockeys Series (Hanshin Racecourse) |
Main Japanese Horse Racing Tracks
Tokyo Racecourse
Japans largest race course, with a beautiful view of Mount Fuji, and home of the Japan Cup is Tokyo Racecourse. This track offers a magnificent 530-meter-long straight to the winning post. Tokyo Racecourse can seat more than 120 000 people and offers one of the world largest video monitors (11 x 66 meters). Other major races include, Japanese Derby (May), Yasuda Kinen (June).
Nakayama Racecourse
The final 200 meters of the homestretch has a slight rising slope and adds to the interest of races as contenders with un matched stamina usually out performs the other. This racecourse holds the Arima Kinen, Japanese 2000 Guineas, Sprinters Stakes and Nakayama Grand Jump offering punters some of the best Grade 1 races.
Chukyo Racecourse
One of the few race tracks in the world that is elevated (3 meters) produces very fast-paced racing. The Takamatsunomiya Kinen is one of the feature Grade 1 races held in March as part of the Japan Spring Racing Carnival.
Kyoto Racecourse
One of the deciding factors for runners on this turf track in Kyoto is to overcome the inclination on the third turn. Host to Grade 1 races, The Mile Championship and Queen Elizabeth II Cup and built in 1999, Kyoto Racecourse has the capacity to entertain up to 120 000 people.
Hanshin Racecourse
With a capacity to of close to a 140 000, Hanshin is host to the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen. From 2008 it will also host the Japan Cup Dirt (previously run at Tokyo Racecourse). The newly renovated 2000m Turf track was completed on 2006. |
Horse Racing JP
