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A former JRA representative observes, “Residents of Japan and read a racing paper, the top three activities come up. Baseball is one, next is sumo, and the final one is horse racing. The sport is ubiquitous, and these athletes are stunning. It’s full of excitement and allure, especially the Arc quest in this long-running endeavor for over five decades. This is the reason Japanese people are so attached.”

Annual Pilgrimage

Countless enthusiasts from Japan traveling the long distance and millions more tuning in back home, the season is here annually. Beginning with Speed Symboli, the initial representative in Europe’s premier race, placed 11th over five decades ago, three dozen others have tried and failed. This year, another trio – the latest hopefuls – will take their shot.

One standout case of unwavering effort in the face of painful and often bitter experience, it’s nearly unmatched in international sport. England fans might complain about 59 years of hurt, but the national team can claim a global title. Since the 1990s, Japan’s racing industry has developed as the richest and most successful in the world. All it has to show despite massive investment and millions of air miles is a string of frustrating outcomes.

Heartbreak and Near-Misses

• A 1999 runner was narrowly defeated by the winner after leading near the finish.
• A national icon, who drew tens of thousands, finished a close third in 2006 though subsequently disqualified due to a prohibited substance.
• The 2010 entry lost by a mere head the winning horse.
• Perhaps the most painful sprinted ahead with a furlong to go then drifted and got caught by Solemia.

Bad ground combined with misfortune, during the event, have been factors in Japan’s 0-for-33 record. Entrants familiar with firm turf in Japan falter in softer conditions typically found this time of year. An expert perspective believes it’s also a gradual education. “If you are an owner and you win a Japanese Derby, often the thought is: ‘We can conquer Europe,’ yet that isn’t true while it seems alike, but it’s a totally different game.

“The Japanese turf are very level and the Japanese horses bred to be sprint specialists, abroad, more versatile athletes, since the ground appears pristine in reality, the going varies. Hence trainers and owners have adapted their approach to select entrants which both run on smooth ground and maybe have an element of SUV.

Current Contenders

Notably that the three Japanese challengers for this year’s Arc have all had an almost localized buildup: an extended midsummer break followed by a prep race. This isn’t the most numerous group previously entered in an Arc – several in the past were spread out in the lower positions – but it has an unusual sense of strength in depth.

Is success imminent when the travelling fans are rewarded after years of loyalty for these athletes.

“In essence, gambling is prohibited nationally only a handful of officially approved gambling sports, among them thoroughbred racing,” notes the expert. “But the Japan Racing Association has succeeded of changing the image from purely a betting sport to a more diverse sport that everyone can enjoy, connecting fans with the sport uniquely internationally.

“From a Japanese fan’s aspect, when we have star horses lining up, of course people will travel, to feel part of the drama. We’ve won in Hong Kong and the Middle East and most places where conditions align, and this is the box the elusive prize for decades.”