The Japan Cup is the penultimate race of the 12-race Emirates World Series
and one of the most important races of the Japanese racing season.
Race Type: Group 1
Distance: 2400m
Track: Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchu, Tokyo
Held the last Sunday of November at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo, the race attracts runners from all over the world. Winners have come from Japan, North America, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy.
The Japan Racing Association started the Japan Cup in order to give local racehorses a chance to compete against international racehorses.
The left-hand turn race is contested over 2400 meters on turf and is open to thoroughbred three-year-olds and up. Three-year-old colts and geldings carry 55 kgs, three-year-old fillies 53 kgs, four-year-olds and up horses and geldings 57 kgs and four-year-olds and up mares 55 kgs.
The total purse for the 2006 running of the Japan Cup was US$4,533,333. The first place finisher received S$2,380,952, second was worth US$952,380 and third US$600,000. Nearly 115,000 race fans watched the 25th running of the cup.
Deep Impact, ridden by Yuaka Take and trained by Yasuo Ikee, won the 2006 Japan Cup. It was Deep Impact’s sixth Grade One victory. The four-year-old toured the Tokyo Racecourse in 2.25.1. Dream Passport was second and Ouija Board was third.
The Japan Cup was first run in 1981 and was restricted to horses trained in Japan, the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India, as well as ones that were specifically invited. An American mare, Mairzy Doates, trained by John Fulton and ridden by Cash Asmussen, finished a length in front of Frost King, a Canadian trained horse, with The Very One, another American horse, was third.
Some previous winners include: Alkaased, 2005; Zenno Rob Roy, 2004; Tap Dance City, 2003; Falbrav, 2002; Jungle Pocket, 2001; T M Opera O, 2000; Special Week, 1999; El Condor Pasa, 1998; Pilsudski, 1997; Singspiel, 1996 and Lando, 1995.
Past winners of the Japan Cup:
| 2009 – Vodka 2008 – Screen Hero 2007 – Admire Moon 2006 – Deep Impact 2005 – Alkaased 2004 – Zenno Rob Roy 2003 – Tap Dance City |
2002 – Falbrav 2001 – Jungle Pocket 2000 – T M Opera O 1999 – Special Week 1998 – El Condor Pasa 1997 – Pilsudski |
Latest Horse Racing Odds – 2010 Japan Cup Racing Odds
