List of Japanese flat horse races

This is a list of notable flat horse races held annually in Japan.

Overview

With the exception of the Tokyo Daishōten, all graded races, including every race currently designated as Grade 1, 2, or 3, are organized by the Japan Racing Association (JRA).[1] In Japanese, these prestigious events are known as 重賞 (Jyūshō), which translates literally to “Big race”.[2]

List (JRA)

Grade 1

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex 2026 winner (2025 winner in italics) 2025 win prize
February February Stakes Tokyo (dirt)[a] 1,600 4yo+ Costa Nova ¥120,000,000
March Takamatsunomiya Kinen Chukyo[b][c][d] 1,200 4yo+ Satono Reve ¥170,000,000
March Ōsaka Hai Hanshin[e][f] 2,000 4yo+ Bellagio Opera ¥300,000,000
April Oka Sho Hanshin[e][f][g] 1,600 3yo f Embroidery ¥140,000,000
April Satsuki Shō Nakayama[h][i][j] 2,000 3yo c&f, no g Museum Mile ¥200,000,000
April Tenno Sho (spring) Kyoto[k][l] 3,200 4yo+ Redentor ¥300,000,000
May NHK Mile Cup Tokyo 1,600 3yo c&f, no g Panja Tower ¥130,000,000
May Victoria Mile Tokyo 1,600 4yo+ f Ascoli Piceno ¥130,000,000
May Yushun Himba Tokyo[m][n] 2,400 3yo f Kamunyak ¥150,000,000
May Tōkyō Yūshun Tokyo[o] 2,400 3yo c&f, no g Croix du Nord ¥300,000,000
June Yasuda Kinen Tokyo[p] 1,600 3yo+ Jantar Mantar ¥180,000,000
June Takarazuka Kinen Hanshin[f][q][r][s] 2,200 3yo+ Meisho Tabaru ¥300,000,000
September Sprinters Stakes Nakayama[t][u][v] 1,200 3yo+ Win Carnelian ¥170,000,000
October Shūka Sho Kyoto[l] 2,000 3yo f Embroidery ¥110,000,000
October Kikuka-shō Kyoto[l] 3,000 3yo c&f, no g Energico ¥200,000,000
October Tenno Sho (autumn) Tokyo[p][w] 2,000 3yo+ Masquerade Ball ¥300,000,000
November Queen Elizabeth II Cup Kyoto[b][x] 2,200 3yo+ f Regaleira ¥130,000,000
November Mile Championship Kyoto[x] 1,600 3yo+ Jantar Mantar ¥180,000,000
November Japan Cup Tokyo[w] 2,400 3yo+ Calandagan ¥500,000,000
December Champions Cup Chukyo (dirt)[y][z][aa] 1,800 3yo+ W Heart Bond ¥120,000,000
December Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Hanshin[ab]ac 1,600 2yo f Star Anise ¥65,000,000
December Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes Hanshin[ad] 1,600 2yo c&f, no g Cavallerizzo ¥70,000,000
December Arima Kinen Nakayama 2,500 3yo+ c&f Museum Mile ¥500,000,000
December Hopeful Stakes Nakayama[ae][af] 2,000 2yo c&f, no g Lovcen ¥70,000,000

Grade 2

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex 2026 winner (2025 winner in italics)
January Nikkei Shinshun Hai Kyoto 2,400 4yo+ Goltzschtal
American Jockey Club Cup Nakayama 2,200 4yo+ Shohei
Procyon Stakes Chukyo (dirt) 1,800 4yo+ Lord Couronne
February Kyoto Kinen Kyoto 2,200 4yo+ June Take
February Nakayama Kinen Nakayama 1,800 4yo+ Sixpence
March Tulip Sho Hanshin 1,600 3yo f Kurino Mei
March Yayoi Sho Nakayama 2,000 3yo Faust Rasen
March Fillies' Revue Hanshin 1,400 3yo f Shonan Xanadu
March Kinko Sho Chukyo 2,000 4yo+ Queen's Walk
March Spring Stakes Nakayama 1,800 3yo c&f Piko Chan Black
March Hanshin Daishoten Hanshin 3,000 4yo+ Sunrise Earth
March Nikkei Sho Nakayama 2,500 4yo+ Meiner Emperor
April New Zealand Trophy Nakayama 1,600 3yo c&f Immigrant Song
April Hanshin Himba Stakes Hanshin 1,600 4yo+ f Safira
April Flora Stakes Tokyo 2,000 3yo f Kamunyak
April Yomiuri Milers Cup Kyoto 1,600 4yo+ Long Run
April Aoba Sho Tokyo 2,400 3yo Energico
May Kyoto Shimbun Hai Kyoto 2,200 3yo Shohei
May Keio Hai Spring Cup Tokyo 1,400 4yo+ Toshin Macau
May Meguro Kinen Tokyo 2,500 4yo+ Admire Terra
August Sapporo Kinen Sapporo 2,000 3yo+ Top Knife
September Shion Stakes Nakayama 2,000 3yo f Kelly Fled Ask
September Centaur Stakes Hanshin 1,200 3yo+ Kangchenjunga
September Rose Stakes Hanshin 1,800 3yo f Kamunyak
September St Lite Kinen Nakayama 2,200 3yo Museum Mile
September Sankei Sho All Comers Nakayama 2,200 3yo+ Regaleira
September Kobe Shimbun Hai Hanshin 2,400 3yo c&f Eri King
October Mainichi Okan Tokyo 1,800 3yo+ Lebensstil
October Kyoto Daishoten Kyoto 2,400 3yo+ Deep Monster
October Ireland Trophy Tokyo 1,800 3yo+ f Lavanda
October Fuji Stakes Tokyo 1,600 3yo+ Gaia Force
October Swan Stakes Kyoto 1,400 3yo+ Off Trail
November Keio Hai Nisai Stakes Tokyo 1,400 2yo Diamond Knot
November Copa Republica Argentina Tokyo 2,500 3yo+ Mystery Way
November Daily Hai Nisai Stakes Kyoto 1,600 2yo Admire Quads
November Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes Tokyo 1,800 2yo Peintre Naif
November Stayers Stakes Nakayama 3,600 3yo+ Hohelied
December Hanshin Cup Hanshin 1,400 3yo+ Lugal

Grade 3

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex 2026 winner (2025 winner in italics)
January Nakayama Kimpai Nakayama 2,000 4yo+ Kalamatianos
Kyoto Kimpai Kyoto 1,600 4yo+ Buena Onda
Fairy Stakes Nakayama 1,600 3yo f Black Chalice
Shinzan Kinen Kyoto 1,600 3yo Thunderstruck
Keisei Hai Nakayama 2,000 3yo Green Energy
Kokura Himba Stakes Kokura 2,000 4yo+ f Jocelyn
February Negishi Stakes Tokyo (dirt) 1,400 4yo+ Lord Fons
February Silk Road Stakes Kyoto 1,200 4yo+ Fioraia
February Tokyo Shimbun Hai Tokyo 1,600 4yo+ Trovatore
February Kisaragi Sho Kyoto 1,800 3yo Zoroastro
February Queen Cup Tokyo 1,600 3yo f Dream Core
February Tokinominoru Kinen Tokyo 1,800 3yo Realize Sirius
February Diamond Stakes Tokyo 3,400 4yo+ Redentor
February Kokura Daishoten Kokura 1,800 4yo+ Long Run
February Hankyu Hai Hanshin 1,400 4yo+ Kanchenjunga
March Aichi Hai Chukyo 1,400 4yo+ f Wide Latour
March Ocean Stakes Nakayama 1,200 4yo+ Mama Cocha
March Nakayama Himba Stakes Nakayama 1,800 4yo+ f Shirankedo
March Flower Cup Nakayama 1,800 3yo f Lesedrama
March Falcon Stakes Chukyo 1,400 3yo Yankee Barows
March Mainichi Hai Hanshin 1,800 3yo Fandom
March March Stakes Nakayama (dirt) 1,800 4yo+ Brian Sense
March Lord Derby Challenge Trophy Nakayama 1,600 4yo+ Trovatore
April Churchill Downs Cup Hanshin 1,600 3yo Lance of Chaos
April Antares Stakes Hanshin (dirt) 1,800 4yo+ Mikki Fight
April Fukushima Himba Stakes Fukushima 1,800 4yo+ f Admire Matsuri
April Niigata Daishoten Niigata 2,000 4yo+ Sirius Colt
April Unicorn Stakes Kyoto (dirt) 1,900 3yo Canal Beagle
May Heian Stakes Kyoto (dirt) 1,900 4yo+ Outrange
May Aoi Stakes Kyoto 1,200 3yo Abu Qir Bay
June Epsom Cup Tokyo 1,800 3yo+ Seiun Hades
June Fuchu Himba Stakes Tokyo 1,800 3yo+ f Sekitoba East
June Hakodate Sprint Stakes Hakodate 1,200 3yo+ Ka Pilina
June Radio Nikkei Sho Fukushima 1,800 3yo Excite Bio
June Kitakyushu Kinen Kokura 1,200 3yo+ Yamanin Al Rihla
June Shirasagi Stakes Hanshin 1,600 3yo+ Keep Calm
July Tanabata Sho Fukushima 2,000 3yo+ Cosmo Fliegen
July Tokai Stakes Chukyo (dirt) 1,400 3yo+ Yamanin Ours
July Hakodate Kinen Hakodate 2,000 3yo+ Veloce Era
July Chukyo Kinen Chukyo 1,600 3yo+ Ma Puce
July Hakodate Nisai Stakes Hakodate 1,200 2yo A Shin Deed
July Ibis Summer Dash Niigata 1,000 3yo+ Puro Magic
July Queen Stakes Sapporo 1,800 3yo+ f Argine
August Leopard Stakes Niigata (dirt) 1,800 3yo Don In The Mood
August Kokura Kinen Kokura 2,000 3yo+ England Eyes
August Sekiya Kinen Niigata 1,600 3yo+ Kana Tape
August CBC Sho Chukyo 1,200 3yo+ Invincible Papa
August Elm Stakes Sapporo (dirt) 1,700 3yo+ Perriere
August Niigata Nisai Stakes Niigata 1,600 2yo Realize Sirius
August Keeneland Cup Sapporo 1,200 3yo+ Panja Tower
August Sapporo Nisai Stakes Sapporo 1,800 2yo Shonan Gulf
August Chukyo Nisai Stakes Chukyo 1,400 2yo Candide
September Niigata Kinen Niigata 2,000 3yo+ Shirankedo
September Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap Nakayama 1,600 3yo+ Ho O Las Cases
September Challenge Cup Hanshin 2,000 3yo+ Allnatt
September Sirius Stakes Hanshin (dirt) 2,000 3yo+ Ho O Roulette
October Saudi Arabia Royal Cup Tokyo 1,600 2yo Ecoro Alba
October Artemis Stakes Tokyo 1,600 2yo f Firostefani
November Fantasy Stakes Kyoto 1,400 2yo f Festival Hill
November Miyako Stakes Kyoto (dirt) 1,800 3yo+ W Heart Bond
November Musashino Stakes Tokyo (dirt) 1,600 3yo+ Luxor Cafe
November Fukushima Kinen Fukushima 2,000 3yo+ Nishino Ti Amo
November Kyoto Nisai Stakes Kyoto 2,000 2yo Justin Vista
November Keihan Hai Kyoto 1,200 3yo+ A T Makfi
December Naruo Kinen Hanshin 1,800 3yo+ David Barows
December Chunichi Shimbun Hai Chukyo 2,000 3yo+ Shake Your Heart
December Capella Stakes Nakayama (dirt) 1,200 3yo+ T O Elvis
December Turquoise Stakes Nakayama 1,600 3yo+ f Drop of Light

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 2026 winner (2025 winner in italics)
January Junior Cup Nakayama 1,600 3yo Resort Island
January Kobai Stakes Kyoto 1,400 3yof Lily Joie
January Wakagoma Stakes Kyoto 2,000 3yo Shonan Hayanami
January New Year Stakes Nakayama 1,600 4yo+ Ka Pilina
January Yodo Dankyori Stakes Kyoto 1,200 4yo+ Yabusame
January Subaru Stakes Kyoto 1,400 4yo+ Kitano's Edge
January Crocus Stakes Tokyo 1,400 3yo Hornero
January Shirafuji Stakes Tokyo 2,000 4yo+ Danon Cima
February Elfin Stakes Kyoto 1,600 3yo f Sweet Happiness
February Rakuyo Stakes Kyoto 1,600 4yo+ Suzu Khalom
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+
August Cluster Cup Morioka 1,200 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
May Keyaki Stakes Tokyo (dirt) 1,400 4yo+
August Takeyoriwake Sho Kochi 1,400 3yo+
August Himawari Sho Kokura 1,200 2yo Kyushu bred
November Cattleya Stakes Tokyo (dirt) 1,600 2yo

List (NAR)

Many are listed race in international, but some are not.[3]

Grade 1

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex 2026 winner (2025 winner in italics) 2025 win prize
December Tokyo Daishōten Ohi 2,000 3yo+ Diktaean ¥100,000,000

JpnI

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex 2026 winner (2025 winner in italics) 2025 win prize
April Kawasaki Kinen Kawasaki 2,100 4yo+ Meisho Hario ¥100,000,000
April Haneda Hai Ohi 1,800 3yo Natural Rise ¥50,000,000
May Kashiwa Kinen Funabashi 1,600 4yo+ Shamal ¥80,000,000
June Tokyo Derby Ohi 2,000 3yo Natural Rise ¥100,000,000
June Sakitama Hai Urawa 1,400 3yo+ Shamal ¥80,000,000
June Teio Sho Ohi 2,000 4yo+ Mikki Fight ¥80,000,000
October Japan Dirt Classic Ohi 2,000 3yo Narukami ¥70,000,000
October Mile Championship Nambu Hai Morioka 1,600 3yo+ Wilson Tesoro ¥80,000,000
November Japan Breeding Farm's Cup Ladies' Classic Various 1,800 3yo+f Ammothyella ¥60,000,000
November Japan Breeding Farms' Cup Sprint Various 1,200 3yo+ Fern Hill ¥80,000,000
November Japan Breeding Farms' Cup Classic Various 2,000 3yo+ Mikki Fight ¥100,000,000
December Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun Kawasaki 1,600 2yo Pyromancer ¥42,000,000

JpnII

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex
March Diolite Kinen Funabashi 2,400 4yo+
March Keihin Hai Ohi 1,700 3yo
April Hyogo Championship Sonoda 1,400 3yo
May Nagoya Grand Prix Nagoya 2,100 4yo+
May Empress Hai Kawasaki 2,100 4yo+ f
June Kanto Oaks Kawasaki 2,100 3yo f
September Furukata Award Morioka 2,000 3yo
October Nippon TV Hai Funabashi 1,800 3yo+
October Ladies' Prelude Ohi 1,800 3yo+f
October Tokyo Hai Ohi 1,200 3yo+
November Urawa Kinen Urawa Kinen 2,000 3yo+
November Hyogo Junior Grand Prix Sonoda 1,400 2yo

JpnIII

Month Race Name Racecourse Dist. (m) Age/Sex
January Bluebird Cup Funabashi 1,800 3yo
February Queen's Award Funabashi 1,800 4yo+ f
February Saga Kinen Saga 2,000 4yo+
February Kumotori Award Oi 1,800 3yo
February Iris Memorial Nagoya 1,500 4yo+
March Kurofune Award Kochi 1,400 4yo+
April Hyogo Queen Cup Sonoda 1,870 4yo+ f
April Tokyo Sprint Oi 1,200 4yo+
July Sparking Lady Cup Kawasaki 1,600 3yo+ f
July Mercury Cup Morioka 2,000 3yo+
August Cluster Cup Morioka 1,200 3yo+
August Hokkaido Sprint Cup Monbetsu 1,200 3yo
August Breeders' Gold Cup Monbetsu 2,000 3yo+ f
August Summer Champion Saga 1,400 3yo+
September Oval Sprint Urawa 1,400 3yo+
September Hakusan Daishoten Kanazawa 2,100 3yo+
September Marine Cup Funabashi 1.800 3yo f
October Edelweiss Award Monbetsu 1,200 2yo f
November JBC Two-Year-Old Championship Monbetsu 1,800 2yo
December Nagoya Daishoten Nagoya 2,000 3yo+
December Hyogo Gold Trophy Sonoda 1,400 3yo+


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

Notes

a The 2003 running took place at Nakayama while Tokyo Racecourse 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's construction was completed only in 1949.

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.

References

  1. ^ "List of JRA Graded Races 2019｜List of JRA Graded Races｜Horse Racing in Japan". Horse Racing in Japan.
  2. ^ "重賞, じゅうしょう, ちょうしょう, jūshō, chōshō". Nihongo Master. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  3. ^ "Principal Races by Local Governments in 2024｜Racing by Local Governments". Racing by Local Governments.
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