A former JRA representative notes, “Anyone in Japan and open a racing paper, three major sports are featured. One is baseball, sumo wrestling is another, and the other one is thoroughbred racing. The sport is ubiquitous, and these athletes are stunning. The challenge and passion are palpable, with the Arc as the ultimate goal because we’ve been trying to win for over five decades. This is the reason fans in Japan are emotionally invested.”
A Tradition of Hope
A multitude of devotees making the 12,000-mile round trip plus additional viewers tuning in back home, the season is here annually. Beginning with Speed Symboli, the first Japanese-trained runner at the Arc, placed 11th over five decades ago, another 32 attempted without success. At Longchamp, another trio – the latest hopefuls – aim to break the streak.
As an example of determination in the face of repeated setbacks, it’s nearly unmatched in international sport. Supporters of England may grumble about 59 years of hurt, but the national team can claim a World Cup win. In recent decades, the nation’s turf sport has expanded into the wealthiest and top-performing globally. But the return for the trillions of yen and millions of air miles is a string of painful near-misses.
Close Calls
- A 1999 runner came up just short against Montjeu having led to the final strides.
- A national icon, who drew tens of thousands, finished a close third that year though subsequently disqualified for banned medication.
- The 2010 entry was narrowly beaten by Workforce.
- The 2012 favorite charged into a clear lead with a furlong to go yet veered and was overtaken by Solemia.
Heavy going and bad luck, during the event, have contributed to the winless streak. Horses accustomed to firm turf in Japan falter on testing tracks common in Paris during the Arc. Kusano, though believes it’s also an evolving strategy. “As a horse owner and you win a Japanese Derby, the natural conclusion is: ‘We might be able to win an Arc,’ however, reality differs while it seems alike, but it’s a totally different game.
“The Japanese turf are very level and local thoroughbreds developed into sprint specialists, overseas, more versatile athletes, since the ground looks green and smooth yet underfoot, the going varies. This is why racing teams have adapted their approach to select entrants suited to firm conditions and maybe have an element of SUV.
2024's Trio
Notably this year’s trio in the upcoming race experienced an almost French preparation: an extended midsummer break and then a run in a trial. While not the largest squad that Japan has fielded in an Arc – a quartet two years ago placed apart further back – yet they possess notable depth.
So perhaps this will finally be the year when the travelling fans receive their due for their indefatigable devotion to their equine heroes.
“Fundamentally, betting is restricted in Japan only a handful of authorized betting sports, one of which is thoroughbred racing,” Kusano says. “Yet the governing body has done a very good job of changing the image away from mere gambling into a broader entertainment accessible to all, uniting enthusiasts to the events in a different way to other countries.
“For local supporters, with elite runners entering, naturally, fans journey, to share in the challenge. Success abroad and the Middle East in numerous locations on comparable tracks, and this is the box the elusive prize for decades.”
