Japan Cup

JAPANESE racing is some of the most competitive in the world and the Japan Cup heads them all.

The 2400m group one is a true staying test and some of the world’s greatest thoroughbreds have traveled to Tokyo Racecourse to take on the best locals.

Held on the last Sunday in November, the Japan Cup is one of the richest races in the world and it has attracted runners from Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe.

The Japan Racing Association established the Japan Cup as an invitational event to help local horses have the opportunity to compete against the world’s best.

Japanese runners have dominated the race in recent history, but New Zealand and Australia have had success with Horlicks and Better Loosen Up.

2024 Japan Cup odds

Markets for the 2024 Japan Cup are currently unavailable.

Best Japan Cup bookmakers

Punters from most countries around the world can bet on the Japan Cup.

The timing of the race sits well with Australian and New Zealand punters as it runs in the late afternoon on a Sunday, and any bookmaker worth their salt offers odds on the biggest race on the Japanese calendar.

Best Japan Cup Bookies

2023 Japan Cup result

Japan Cup history

The Japan Cup hasn’t been around as long as many would have thought. The first edition of the Japan Cup was run in 1981 and was limited to horses from Japan, USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

It was won by American mare Mairzy Doates and North America subsequently scored the trifecta in the race.

The U.S again won in 1982 before restrictions were lifted on the likes of Europe. That resulted in immediate success for Ireland with Stanerra in 1983 and it was the first of five Irish-bred runners to win the Japan Cup.

Horlicks scored one of the most popular wins of the Japan Cup in 1989 for New Zealand and fellow ANZAC Better Loosen Up was quick to follow suit in 1990.

There have been some incredible Japanese-trained champions of the Japan Cup, which includes Zenno Rob Roy, Deep Impact, Gentildonna and Kitasan Black.

In 2013, Gentildonna became the first horse to win both back-to-back Japan Cups and also the first horse to win the Japan Cup twice.

Japan Cup winners by country

• Japan: 27
• USA: 7
• Ireland: 4
• France: 1
• New Zealand: 1
• Australia: 1
• Germany: 1

Japan Cup race bonuses

The Japan Cup was the world’s second richest race until The Everest was introduced in 2017.

There is plenty of bonus money to be won, especially by the internationally-invited thoroughbreds. If a runner finishes in the first three after winning one of the following races, big bonuses are added to the existing stake money.

Japan Cup results history

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