List of Japanese flat horse races

A list of notable flat horse races which take place annually in Japan. Except for the Tokyo Daishoten, all graded races are operated Japan Racing Association, including all conditions races which currently hold Grade 1, 2 or 3 status.[1] In Japanese, it is called 重賞 (Jyūshō), lit Big race.

Grade 1

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex 2025 winner (2024 winner in italics) 2024 win prize
February February Stakes Tokyo (dirt)[a] 1,600 4yo+ Peptide Nile ¥120,000,000
March Takamatsunomiya Kinen Chukyo[b][c][d] 1,200 4yo+ Mad Cool ¥170,000,000
March Ōsaka Hai Hanshin[e][f] 2,000 4yo+ Bellagio Opera ¥200,000,000
April Oka Sho Hanshin[e][f][g] 1,600 3yo f Stellenbosch ¥140,000,000
April Satsuki Shō Nakayama[h][i][j] 2,000 3yo c&f Justin Milano ¥200,000,000
April Tenno Sho (spring) Kyoto[k][l] 3,200 4yo+ T O Royal ¥220,000,000
May NHK Mile Cup Tokyo 1,600 3yo c&f Jantar Mantar ¥130,000,000
May Victoria Mile Tokyo 1,600 4yo+ f Ten Happy Rose ¥130,000,000
May Yushun Himba Tokyo[m][n] 2,400 3yo f Cervinia ¥150,000,000
May Tōkyō Yūshun Tokyo[o] 2,400 3yo c&f Danon Decile ¥300,000,000
June Yasuda Kinen Tokyo[p] 1,600 3yo+ Romantic Warrior ¥180,000,000
June Takarazuka Kinen Hanshin[f][q][r][s] 2,200 3yo+ Blow The Horn ¥220,000,000
September Sprinters Stakes Nakayama[t][u][v] 1,200 3yo+ Lugal ¥170,000,000
October Shūka Sho Kyoto[l] 2,000 3yo f Cervinia ¥110,000,000
October Kikuka-shō Kyoto[l] 3,000 3yo c&f Urban Chic ¥200,000,000
October Tenno Sho (autumn) Tokyo[p][w] 2,000 3yo+ Do Deuce ¥220,000,000
November Queen Elizabeth II Cup Kyoto[b][x] 2,200 3yo+ f Stunning Rose ¥130,000,000
November Mile Championship Kyoto[x] 1,600 3yo+ Soul Rush ¥180,000,000
November Japan Cup Tokyo[w] 2,400 3yo+ Do Deuce ¥500,000,000
December Champions Cup Chukyo (dirt)[y][z][aa] 1,800 3yo+ Lemon Pop ¥120,000,000
December Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Hanshin[ab]ac 1,600 2yo f Arma Veloce ¥65,000,000
December Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes Hanshin[ad] 1,600 2yo c&f Admire Zoom ¥70,000,000
December Arima Kinen Nakayama 2,500 3yo+ c&f Regaleira ¥500,000,000
December Hopeful Stakes Nakayama[ae][af] 2,000 2yo c&f Croix du Nord ¥70,000,000
December Tokyo Daishōten Ohi (dirt) 2,000 3yo+ Forever Young ¥100,000,000

a The 2003 running took place at Nakayama while Tokyo was closed for redevelopment.

b The 1979 running took place at Hanshin.

c The 1993 running took place at Kyoto.

d The 2011 running took place at Hanshin while Chukyo was closed for redevelopment.

e The 1991 running took place at Kyoto while Hanshin was closed for redevelopment.

f The 1995 running took place at Kyoto while Hanshin was closed due to 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake.

g The 1939-1943 runnings took place at Nakayama, the 1944 running took place at Tokyo and the 1947, 1948 and 1949 runnings took place at Kyoto as Hanshin had not finished construction.

h The 1939-1942 runnings took place at Yokohama.

i The 1943, 1944, 1947, 1948, 1956, 1963, 1964, 1974, 1976 and 1988 runnings took place at Tokyo.

j The 2011 running took place at Tokyo while Nakayama was closed due to 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

k The 1994 running took place at Hanshin.

l The 2021 and 2022 runnings took place at Hanshin while Kyoto was closed for redevelopment.

m The 1938-1942 runnings took place at Hanshin.

n The 1943 running took place at Kyoto.

o The 1932 and 1933 runnings took place at Meguro.

p The 1967 running took place at Nakayama.

q The 1966, 1969, 1974 and 1976 runnings took place at Kyoto.

r The 1980 running took place at Chukyo.

s The 1991, 2006, and 2024 runnings took place at Kyoto while Hanshin was closed for redevelopment.

t The 1980 running took place at Tokyo.

u The 2002 running took place at Niigata.

v The 2014 running took place at Niigata while Nakayama was closed for redevelopment.

w The 2002 running took place at Nakayama while Tokyo was closed for redevelopment.

x The 2020, 2021 and 2022 runnings took place at Hanshin while Kyoto was closed for redevelopment.

y The 2000, 2001 and 2003-2007 runnings took place at Tokyo.

z The 2002 running took place at Nakayama.

aa The 2008-2012 runnings took place at Hanshin.

ab The 1956 and 1980 runnings took place at Kyoto.

ac The 1990 running took place at Kyoto while Hanshin was closed for redevelopment.

ad The 1949-2013 runnings took place at Nakayama.

ae The 1984-1989 and 1991-2013 runnings took place at Hanshin.

af The 1990 running took place at Kyoto.

Grade 2

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex 2025 winner (2024 winner in italics)
January Nikkei Shinshun Hai Kyoto 2,400 4yo+ Blow The Horn
January American Jockey Club Cup Nakayama 2,200 4yo+ Chuck Nate
January Procyon Stakes Chukyo (dirt) 1,800 4yo+ Yamanin Ours
February Kyoto Kinen Kyoto 2,200 4yo+ Pradaria
February Nakayama Kinen Nakayama 1,800 4yo+ Matenro Sky
March Tulip Sho Hanshin 1,600 3yo f Sweep Feet
March Yayoi Sho Nakayama 2,000 3yo Cosmo Kuranda
March Fillies' Revue Hanshin 1,400 3yo f Etes Vous Prets
March Kinko Sho Chukyo 2,000 4yo+ Prognosis
March Spring Stakes Nakayama 1,800 3yo c&f Sixpence
March Hanshin Daishoten Hanshin 3,000 4yo+ T O Royal
March Nikkei Sho Nakayama 2,500 4yo+ Struve
April New Zealand Trophy Nakayama 1,600 3yo c&f Ecoro Bloom
April Hanshin Himba Stakes Hanshin 1,600 4yo+ f Masked Diva
April Flora Stakes Tokyo 2,000 3yo f Admire Belle
April Yomiuri Milers Cup Kyoto 1,600 4yo+ Soul Rush
April Aoba Sho Tokyo 2,400 3yo Sugar Kun
May Kyoto Shimbun Hai Kyoto 2,200 3yo June Take
May Keio Hai Spring Cup Tokyo 1,400 4yo+ Win Marvel
May Meguro Kinen Tokyo 2,500 4yo+ Struve
August Sapporo Kinen Sapporo 2,000 3yo+ North Bridge
September Shion Stakes Nakayama 2,000 3yo f Christmas Parade
September Centaur Stakes Hanshin 1,200 3yo+ Toshin Macau
September Rose Stakes Hanshin 1,800 3yo f Queen's Walk
September St Lite Kinen Nakayama 2,200 3yo Urban Chic
September Sankei Sho All Comers Nakayama 2,200 3yo+ Lebensstil
September Kobe Shimbun Hai Hanshin 2,400 3yo c&f Meisho Tabaru
October Mainichi Okan Tokyo 1,800 3yo+ Sixpence
October Kyoto Daishoten Kyoto 2,400 3yo+ Chevalier Rose
October Ireland Trophy Tokyo 1,800 3yo+ f
October Fuji Stakes Tokyo 1,600 3yo+ Jun Blossom
October Swan Stakes Kyoto 1,400 3yo+ Danon McKinley
November Keio Hai Nisai Stakes Tokyo 1,400 2yo Panja Tower
November Copa Republica Argentina Tokyo 2,500 3yo+ Hayayakko
November Daily Hai Nisai Stakes Kyoto 1,600 2yo Run For Vow
November Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes Tokyo 1,800 2yo Croix du Nord
November Stayers Stakes Nakayama 3,600 3yo+ Chevalier Rose
December Hanshin Cup Hanshin 1,400 3yo+ Namura Clair

Grade 3

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex 2025 winner (2024 winner in italics)
January Nakayama Kimpai Nakayama 2,000 4yo+ Licancabur
January Kyoto Kimpai Kyoto 1,600 4yo+ Corepetiteur
January Shinzan Kinen Kyoto 1,600 3yo Noble Roger
January Fairy Stakes Nakayama 1,600 3yo f Ipheion
January Keisei Stakes Nakayama 2,000 3yo Danon Decile
January Kokura Himba Stakes Kokura 2,000 4yo+ f
January Negishi Stakes Tokyo (dirt) 1,400 4yo+ Emperor Wakea
January Silk Road Stakes Kyoto 1,200 4yo+ Lugal
February Tokyo Shimbun Hai Tokyo 1,600 4yo+ Sakura Toujours
February Kisaragi Sho Kyoto 1,800 3yo Byzantine Dream
February Daily Hai Queen Cup Tokyo 1,600 3yo f Queen's Walk
February Tokinominoru Kinen Tokyo 1,800 3yo Justin Milano
February Diamond Stakes Tokyo 3,400 4yo+ T O Royal
February Kokura Daishoten Kokura 1,800 4yo+ Epiphany
February Hankyu Hai Hanshin 1,400 4yo+ Win Marvel
March Aichi Hai Chukyo 1,400 4yo+ f Mikki Gorgeous
March Ocean Stakes Nakayama 1,200 4yo+ Toshin Macau
March Nakayama Himba Stakes Nakayama 1,800 4yo+ f Conch Shell
March Flower Cup Nakayama 1,800 3yo f Mi Anhelo
March Falcon Stakes Chukyo 1,400 3yo Danon McKinley
March Mainichi Hai Hanshin 1,800 3yo Meisho Tabaru
March March Stakes Nakayama (dirt) 1,800 4yo+ Walzer Schall
March Lord Derby Challenge Trophy Nakayama 1,600 4yo+ Parallel Vision
April Churchill Downs Cup Hanshin 1,600 3yo Di Speranza
April Antares Stakes Hanshin (dirt) 1,800 4yo+ Mikki Nuchibana
April Fukushima Himba Stakes Fukushima 1,800 4yo+ f Costa Bonita
April Niigata Daishoten Niigata 2,000 4yo+ Yamanin Salvum
April Unicorn Stakes Kyoto (dirt) 1,900 3yo Ramjet
May Heian Stakes Kyoto (dirt) 1,900 4yo+ Mitono O
May Aoi Stakes Kyoto 1,200 3yo Puro Magic
June Naruo Kinen Hanshin 2,000 3yo+ Yoho Lake
June Epsom Cup Tokyo 1,800 3yo+ Lebensstil
June Fuchu Himba Stakes Tokyo 1,800 3yo+ f Brede Weg
June Hakodate Sprint Stakes Hakodate 1,200 3yo+ Satono Reve
June Radio Nikkei Sho Fukushima 1,800 3yo Off Trail
June Kitakyushu Kinen Kokura 1,200 3yo+ Puro Magic
June Shirasagi Stakes Hanshin 1,600 3yo+ Tudo de Bom
July Tanabata Sho Fukushima 2,000 3yo+ Red Radiance
July Tokai Stakes Chukyo (dirt) 1,400 3yo+ William Barows
July Hakodate Kinen Hakodate 2,000 3yo+ Ho O Biscuits
July Chukyo Kinen Chukyo 1,600 3yo+ Al Naseem
July Hakodate Nisai Stakes Hakodate 1,200 2yo Satono Carnaval
July Ibis Summer Dash Niigata 1,000 3yo+ Mozu Meimei
July Queen Stakes Sapporo 1,800 3yo+ f Koganeno Sora
August Leopard Stakes Niigata (dirt) 1,800 3yo Mikki Fight
August Kokura Kinen Kokura 2,000 3yo+ Reframing
August Sekiya Kinen Niigata 1,600 3yo+ Tudo de Bom
August CBC Sho Chukyo 1,200 3yo+ Drop of Light
August Elm Stakes Sapporo (dirt) 1,700 3yo+ Peisha Es
August Niigata Nisai Stakes Niigata 1,600 2yo Total Clarity
August Keeneland Cup Sapporo 1,200 3yo+ Satono Reve
August Sapporo Nisai Stakes Sapporo 1,800 2yo Magic Sands
August Chukyo Nisai Stakes Chukyo 1,400 2yo American Stage
September Niigata Kinen Niigata 2,000 3yo+ Shinryokuka
September Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap Nakayama 1,600 3yo+ Ascoli Piceno
September Sirius Stakes Hanshin (dirt) 2,000 3yo+ Hagino Alegrias
October Saudi Arabia Royal Cup Tokyo 1,600 2yo Arte Veloce
October Artemis Stakes Tokyo 1,600 2yo f Brown Ratchet
November Fantasy Stakes Kyoto 1,400 2yo f Dantsu Elan
November Miyako Stakes Kyoto (dirt) 1,800 3yo+ Sunrise Zipangu
November Musashino Stakes Tokyo (dirt) 1,600 3yo+ Emperor Wakea
November Fukushima Kinen Fukushima 2,000 3yo+ Arata
November Kyoto Nisai Stakes Kyoto 2,000 2yo Eri King
November Keihan Hai Kyoto 1,200 3yo+ Big Caesar
November Challenge Cup Hanshin 2,000 3yo+ Ravel
December Chunichi Shimbun Hai Chukyo 2,000 3yo+ Desierto
December Capella Stakes Nakayama (dirt) 1,200 3yo+ Gabby's Sister
December Turquoise Stakes Nakayama 1,600 3yo+ f Argine

Listed

From 2019, Japan Racing Association introduced new "Listed" category, prize value is higher than normal open race.

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex
January Junior Cup Kyoto 1,600 3yo
January New Year Stakes Nakayama 1,600 4yo+
January Kobai Stakes Kyoto 1,400 3yof
January Yodo Dankyori Stakes Kyoto 1,200 4yo+
January Wakagoma Stakes Kyoto 2,000 3yo
January Subaru Stakes Kyoto 1,400 4yo+
January Crocus Stakes Tokyo 1,400 3yo
January Shirafuji Stakes Tokyo 2,000 4yo+
February Rakuyo Stakes Kyoto 1,600 4yo+
February Hyacinth Stakes Tokyo 1,600 3yo
February/March Niigawa Stakes Hanshin 2,000 4yo+
February/March Sumire Stakes Hanshin 2,200 3yo
March Osaka Jo Stakes Hanshin 1,800 3yo
March Anemone Stakes Nakayama 1,600 3yo
April Wasurerunagusa Sho Hanshin 2,000 3yof
April/May Swept Pea Stakes Tokyo 1,800 3yof
May Principal Stakes Tokyo 2,000 3yo
May Shirayuri Stakes Kyoto 1,800 3yo
July/August Sapporo Nikkei Open Sapporo 2,600 3yo+
September/October Port Island Stakes Hanshin 1,600 3yo+
October Opal Sprint Stakes Kyoto 1,200 3yo+
October Green Channel Stakes Tokyo 1,400 3yo+
October October Stakes Tokyo 2,000 3yo+
October Shinetsu Stakes Niigata 1,400 3yo+
October Ivy Stakes Tokyo 1,800 2yo
October Lumiere Autumn Dash Niigata 1,000 3yo+
October Brazil Cup Tokyo 2,100 3yo+
October Hagi Stakes Kyoto 1,800 2yo
November Capital Stakes Tokyo 1,600 3yo+
December December Stakes Nakayama 1,800 3yo+

Other Open Races

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex
January Manyo Stakes Kyoto 3,000 4yo+
January January Stakes Nakayama 1,200 4yo+
February Kinpai Ohi 2,600 4yo
March Fukuryu Stakes Nakayama (dirt) 1,800 3yo
August Takeyoriwake Sho Kochi 1,400 3yo+
August Himawari Sho Kokura 1,200 2yo Kyushu bred
November Cattleya Stakes Tokyo (dirt) 1,600 2yo

NAR Graded Races (As listed race in international)

Many are listed race in international, but some are not.[2]

JpnI

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex
April Kawasaki Kinen Kawasaki 2,100 4yo+
April Haneda Hai Ohi 1,800 3yo
May Kashiwa Kinen Funabashi 1,600 4yo+
June Tokyo Derby Ohi 2,000 3yo
June Sakitama Hai Urawa 1,400 3yo+
June Teio Sho Ohi 2,000 4yo+
October Japan Dirt Classic Ohi 2,000 3yo
October Mile Championship Nambu Hai Morioka 1,600 3yo+
November Japan Breeding farm's Cup Ladies' Classic Various 1,800 (may be changed) 3yo+f
November Japan Breeding farms' Cup Sprint Various 1,200 (may be changed) 3yo+
November Japan Breeding farms' Cup Classic Various 2,000 (may be changed) 3yo+
December Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun Kawasaki 1,600 2yo

JpnII

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex
March Diolite Kinen Funabashi 2,400 4yo+
September Nippon TV Hai Funabashi 1,800 3yo+

JpnIII

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex
April Hyōgo Joō Hai Sonoda 1,870 4yo+f
November Japan Breeding farms' Nisai Yushun Monbetsu 1,800 2yo

Former race

Last run Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex
Mar 1993 Pegasus Stakes Hanshin 1,600 3yo
March 2005 Crystal Cup Nakayama 1,200 3yo
April 2004 Kabutoyama Kinen Fukushima 1,800 4yo+ sire domestic bred
May 1999 Kyoto Yonsai Tokubetsu Kyoto 2,000 3yo
Sep 1993 Sapphire Stakes Hanshin 1,800 3yof
October 1975 Victoria Cup Kyoto 2,400 3yof

References

  1. ^ "List of JRA Graded Races 2019｜List of JRA Graded Races｜Horse Racing in Japan". Horse Racing in Japan.
  2. ^ "Principal Races by Local Governments in 2024｜Racing by Local Governments". Racing by Local Governments.