Japan dominates Breeder’s Cup with 19 horses

In the mid-1980s, Kentucky horseman John Gaines conceived the Breeders’ Cup as a premier international thoroughbred racing event. Now, over four decades later, the Breeders’ Cup continues to embody this original vision, elevating the sport to new heights.

This year, the Breeders’ Cup will showcase an impressive array of competitors from nine countries across five continents, taking place on November 1-2 at Del Mar, California. The event will feature esteemed horses and trainers from Argentina, Canada, Chile, France, Ireland, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with South Africa making its inaugural appearance.

Remarkably, Japan is set to dominate the lineup with 19 entries, including the highly regarded Forever Young from Hokkaido’s Northern Farm. He is vying for a victory in the illustrious $7 million (£5.4 million/€6.4 million) Longines Classic, alongside formidable challengers such as Irish-bred City of Troy and American favorites Fierceness and Next.

Japanese Contingent Surpasses Expectations

In 2021, the Japanese delegation sent eight horses to Del Mar, returning with two prestigious trophies: Loves Only You clinched victory in the Filly & Mare Turf, while Marche Lorraine triumphed in the Distaff. Building on that success, Japan’s current participation has surged dramatically.

According to Breeders’ Cup Executive Vice President Dora Delgado, the breadth and depth of Japanese entries have “exceeded all of our expectations.” She noted that Japanese-bred horses are “breaking out” in various categories, showing versatility across different racing conditions from dirt to turf.

Among the anticipations for the upcoming races, three-year-old Forever Young has showcased exceptional skill, suffering only a single loss—a narrow third-place finish at this year’s Kentucky Derby. Unbeaten since then, he has secured victories at prestigious events including the Mombetsu and Kawasaki races, and both the Saudi and UAE Derbies in 2024. Following the setback at Churchill Downs, Forever Young rebounded to claim the Japan Dirt Classic on October 2nd, amassing nearly $3 million in earnings thus far.

Japan’s Thriving Sports Culture

In Japan, legal betting options are limited to horse racing, a national lottery, and specific motorsports. Nevertheless, horse racing captures the largest share of public interest. Recent data from Statista indicates that Japanese citizens wagered over $23 billion on the sport last year alone.

Despite constraints permitting betting on only four international races, the Japanese contributed substantially to the action at the Breeders’ Cup, accounting for $19.2 million of the nearly $25 million total in separate-pool wagering for 2023.

Japanese fans exhibit a robust passion for a range of sports, demonstrated by a massive audience for international competitions. For instance, approximately 15.9 million viewers in Japan tuned in to watch the 2024 World Series, a figure surpassing 10% of the national population and topped only by a smaller American viewership of under 11.45 million.

Among Japan’s sports icons is Shohei Ohtani, a five-time MLB All-Star who simultaneously pitches and serves as a designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani transitioned from the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to the Dodgers in 2018, dramatically elevating his international profile.

On October 30, Japanese baseball fans were rewarded when Ohtani, alongside fellow pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, led the Dodgers to a thrilling 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series, marking the Dodgers’ eighth championship title.

Support for Both Two-Legged and Four-Legged Athletes

Japan’s ascendance in the international horse racing arena is both a point of national pride and a pathway to substantial rewards within the breeding industry. As the Breeders’ Cup approaches, audiences eagerly anticipate the performance of three Japanese contenders: Forever Young, Derma Sotogake, and Ushba Tesoro in the mile-and-a-quarter Longines Classic. US Racing has dubbed these entrants as a key component of “Japan’s juggernaut.”

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi has expressed confidence in his colt’s performance, stating, “We had a frustrating experience in the spring during the Kentucky Derby; thus, I feel a strong desire for redemption. I aim to showcase Forever Young’s potential again. He will continue to give his best, and I aspire for a victory in the next race here in the United States.”

As the Breeders’ Cup unfolds, all eyes will be glued to the track, where equine athletes and their supporters aim to leave a lasting impression on the world of thoroughbred racing.