Kanichi Kusano observes, “If you’re living in Japan and read a sports section, three key disciplines come up. Baseball is one, one is sumo wrestling, and the third is thoroughbred racing. We are always exposed to racing, and the horses are magnificent. It’s full of excitement and allure, especially the Arc quest as Japan has pursued victory for half a century. This is the reason the nation are emotionally invested.”
Annual Pilgrimage
A multitude of devotees journeying to Paris along with many more tuning in back home, the season is here once again. Beginning with Speed Symboli, the first Japanese-trained runner in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, placed 11th back in 1969, another 32 attempted without success. This year, additional challengers – the latest hopefuls – aim to break the streak.
A prime instance of persistence amid repeated setbacks, it’s nearly unmatched globally. England fans could lament about 59 years of hurt, however, the team does at least have a major trophy. Since the 1990s, Japan’s racing industry has developed into the wealthiest and top-performing internationally. But the return despite massive investment and extensive travel are numerous of frustrating outcomes.
Bitter Defeats
- El Condor Pasa finished half a length behind Montjeu while in front until the last moment.
- Deep Impact, attracting huge crowds, nearly triumphed in 2006 later stripped of placement for banned medication.
- Nakayama Festa was just a head behind the winning horse.
- The 2012 favorite took command in the final stretch then drifted and got caught at the line.
Bad ground and bad luck, during the event, have been factors in the string of losses. Runners used to quick surfaces in Japan often struggle on testing tracks typically found at Longchamp in early October. However, Kusano thinks it has also been an evolving strategy. “As a horse owner taking a classic race, normally they will think: ‘The Arc is possible,’ however, reality differs while it seems alike, the challenges are unique.
“Domestic tracks is really flat and the Japanese horses bred to be sprint specialists, but in Europe, you need an SUV, because the surface looks green and smooth yet underfoot, the going varies. And that’s why the Japanese connections have adapted their approach to select entrants suited to firm conditions with added stamina.
2024's Trio
Interestingly that the three Japanese challengers in the upcoming race underwent a typically localized buildup: a summer hiatus then a tune-up event. It is not the biggest team that Japan has fielded for this race – several in the past were spread out among the also-rans – however, there is impressive quality.
So perhaps this will finally be the year allowing the pilgrims celebrate at last after years of loyalty to their equine heroes.
“Fundamentally, gambling is prohibited across the country only a handful of officially approved gambling sports, including the turf,” Kusano says. “But the Japan Racing Association has succeeded in rebranding the sport from purely a betting sport into a broader entertainment for general audiences, connecting fans with the sport distinctly compared to elsewhere.
“From a Japanese fan’s aspect, as top competitors lining up, naturally, fans journey, to share in the challenge. Success abroad and other regions in numerous locations with similar surfaces, this trophy is the final goal for decades.”
