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A former JRA representative notes, “If you’re living in Japan and pick up a sports newspaper, three major sports come up. Baseball is one, one is sumo wrestling, and the other one is horse racing. The sport is ubiquitous, and these athletes are stunning. There is drama and romance, with the Arc as the ultimate goal as Japan has pursued victory for half a century. This is the reason fans in Japan are deeply connected.”

A Tradition of Hope

Countless enthusiasts from Japan making the 12,000-mile round trip and millions more following live broadcasts, it is that time once again. Since Speed Symboli, the initial representative at the Arc, placed 11th back in 1969, 32 more attempted without success. This year, another trio – this year’s candidates – aim to break the streak.

A prime instance of determination amid painful and often bitter experience, few stories compare in international sport. Supporters of England might complain regarding their own drought, however, the team boasts a global title. In recent decades, Japanese horse racing has grown to become the richest and most successful in the world. But the return after enormous spending and millions of air miles is a string of increasingly agonising disappointments.

Heartbreak and Near-Misses

• A 1999 runner was narrowly defeated by Montjeu having led near the finish.
• A national icon, attracting huge crowds, was less than a length behind in his attempt though subsequently disqualified for banned medication.
• An unexpected challenger lost by a mere head Workforce.
• Perhaps the most painful charged into a clear lead in the final stretch then drifted and got caught at the line.

Bad ground along with ill fortune, regarding post positions and racing incidents, have been factors to the winless streak. Runners used to quick surfaces in Japan often struggle on the deep ground common in Paris this time of year. Kusano, though thinks it has also been a gradual education. “If you are an owner victorious in the Derby, normally they will think: ‘We might be able to win an Arc,’ yet that isn’t true since it appears comparable, but it’s a totally different game.

“The Japanese turf is really flat with domestic runners developed into precision machines, overseas, you need an SUV, as the turf seems perfect in reality, it’s totally different. And that’s why trainers and owners have studied a lot to bring horses able to handle variety and maybe have an element of SUV.

2024's Trio

Interestingly that the three Japanese challengers set to compete underwent what could be described as European training regimen: an extended midsummer break followed by a prep race. While not the largest squad previously entered in an Arc – four runners in 2022 placed apart further back – however, there is an unusual sense of strength in depth.

Is success imminent for the devoted supporters receive their due after years of loyalty behind their stars.

“Basically, wagering is limited nationally with just four permitted activities, among them the turf,” Kusano says. “Yet the governing body has succeeded to reshape perceptions from purely a betting sport to a more diverse sport for general audiences, 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. Victories in Hong Kong and Dubai in numerous locations with similar surfaces, this trophy is that we have wanted to tick for a long time.”