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

[edit]

Month  | Race Name  | Racecourse  | Dist. (m)  | Age/Sex  | 2025 winner (2024 winner in italics)  | 2024 win prize

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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

[edit]

Month  | Race Name  | Racecourse  | Dist. (m)  | Age/Sex  | 2025 winner (2024 winner in italics)

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January | Nikkei Shinshun Hai | Kyoto | 2,400  | 4yo+  | Lord del Rey
January | American Jockey Club Cup | Nakayama | 2,200 | 4yo+ | Danon Decile
January | Procyon Stakes | Chukyo (dirt) | 1,800 | 4yo+ | Sunday Funday
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

[edit]

Month  | Race Name  | Racecourse  | Dist. (m)  | Age/Sex  | 2025 winner (2024 winner in italics)

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January | Nakayama Kimpai | Nakayama | 2,000  | 4yo+  | Al Naseem
January | Kyoto Kimpai | Kyoto | 1,600 | 4yo+ | Sakura Toujours
January | Shinzan Kinen | Kyoto | 1,600 | 3yo | Lila Emblem
January | Fairy Stakes | Nakayama | 1,600 | 3yo f | Erika Express
January | Keisei Stakes | Nakayama | 2,000 | 3yo | Nishino Agent
January | Kokura Himba Stakes | Kokura | 2,000 | 4yo+ f | Verehrung
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

[edit]

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

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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

[edit]

Month  | Race Name  | Racecourse  | Dist. (m)  | Age/Sex

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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)

[edit]

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

### JpnI

[edit]

Month  | Race Name  | Racecourse  | Dist. (m)  | Age/Sex

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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

[edit]

Month  | Race Name  | Racecourse  | Dist. (m)  | Age/Sex

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March | Diolite Kinen | Funabashi | 2,400  | 4yo+
September | Nippon TV Hai | Funabashi | 1,800  | 3yo+

### JpnIII

[edit]

Month  | Race Name  | Racecourse  | Dist. (m)  | Age/Sex

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April | Hyōgo Joō Hai | Sonoda | 1,870  | 4yo+f
November | Japan Breeding farms' Nisai Yushun | Monbetsu  | 1,800  | 2yo

## Former race

[edit]

Last run  | Race Name  | Racecourse  | Dist. (m)  | Age/Sex

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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

[edit]

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.