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A former JRA representative observes, “Anyone in Japan and open a racing paper, the top three activities come up. Baseball is one, one is sumo wrestling, and the third is horse racing. We are always exposed to racing, and thoroughbreds are beautiful animals. There is drama and romance, and a challenge to the Arc in this long-running endeavor for half a century. This is the reason the nation are deeply connected.”

Annual Pilgrimage

For thousands of Japanese racing fans making the 12,000-mile round trip and millions more watching from Japan, the moment has arrived annually. Since Speed Symboli, Japan’s pioneer contender in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, placed 11th over five decades ago, another 32 sought victory in vain. This year, three more – the latest hopefuls – will make the attempt.

A prime instance of unwavering effort despite repeated setbacks, there is little to match it across sports. Supporters of England could lament regarding their own drought, however, the team does at least have a global title. Over the last 30 years, Japanese horse racing has developed to become the leading and most lucrative in the world. All it has to show after enormous spending and countless journeys is a series of painful near-misses.

Close Calls

• El Condor Pasa was narrowly defeated by Montjeu having led near the finish.
• A national icon, attracting huge crowds, finished a close third in 2006 before being disqualified over a drug violation.
• Nakayama Festa was just a head behind Workforce.
• The 2012 favorite sprinted ahead a furlong out but wandered and was overtaken in the closing strides.

Bad ground combined with misfortune, with the draw and in the race, have contributed to the winless streak. Horses accustomed to quick surfaces in Japan falter on testing tracks typically found at Longchamp in early October. An expert perspective thinks it has also been part of a learning process. “For an owner victorious in the Derby, the natural conclusion is: ‘The Arc is possible,’ however, reality differs because it looks similar, the competition is distinct.

“Domestic tracks tend to be uniform with domestic runners developed into like a Formula One car, but in Europe, you need an SUV, since the ground appears pristine yet underfoot, the going varies. Hence trainers and owners have researched extensively to bring horses able to handle variety and maybe have an element of SUV.

Current Contenders

Notably this year’s trio in the upcoming race underwent a typically localized buildup: a summer hiatus then a tune-up event. This isn’t the most numerous group that Japan has fielded in an Arc – four runners in 2022 finished widely in the lower positions – but it has notable depth.

So perhaps this will finally be the year allowing the pilgrims receive their due after years of loyalty behind their stars.

“Fundamentally, gambling is prohibited across the country and there are only four officially approved gambling sports, one of which is the turf,” Kusano says. “But the Japan Racing Association has done a very good job to reshape perceptions away from mere gambling into a broader entertainment for general audiences, and bonding people to the events in a different way to other countries.

“From a Japanese fan’s aspect, when we have star horses participating, supporters make the trip, to experience the excitement. Victories in Hong Kong and Dubai across various venues on comparable tracks, and this is the box the elusive prize for decades.”