The Japan Cup (G1, 2,400m) was established in 1981 with the aim of raising the standard of Japanese thoroughbreds to a world-class level. In the early years, the difference in strength between our local thoroughbreds and the invited runners from overseas was clear—the foreign horses won easily in the first three runnings. However, the Japanese-trained horses gradually improved to the stage where they have now gained a big lead in wins—30 wins in 44 starts—and the most recent victory by a foreign-trained horse was in the 25th (2005) running by Alkaased (foreign horses also won in 1981-1983, 1986-1991, 1995-1997 and 2002).
The year 2023 is remembered as one of JRA’s most significant years, as the Japan Cup in association with LONGINES topped the list of the “World’s Top 100 Group 1 and Grade 1 Races” compiled by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) for the first time in the history of Japanese horseracing. In the same year, Equinox was named the World’s Best Racehorse with a rating of 135—the highest ever for a Japanese-trained thoroughbred—surpassing El Condor Pasa’s 134 in 1999.
While this year’s 45th running of the Japan Cup will welcome only one foreign runner, Calandagan (IRE, G4, by Gleneagles), the gelding arrives in top form, coming off three consecutive G1 victories, including the Champion Stakes (G1, 1,990m). Currently leading the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings with a rating of 130, he poses a serious threat to become the first foreign-trained horse in 20 years to win the Japan Cup. Meanwhile, the home team taking on the challenge includes seven G1 winners, highlighted by the recent three Derby champions.
Danon Decile (JPN, C4, by Epiphaneia, out of Top Decile):
5 wins / 10 starts, 125 L as of 2025 Dubai Sheema Classic (1st)
The winner of last year’s Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1, 2,400m) showcased his ability in April when he captured the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, 2,410m), defeating aforementioned Calandagan. The Epiphaneia colt then embarked on another overseas campaign to Great Britain in the summer for the International Stakes (G1, 1,950m) but was forced to race in an unfamiliar style—chasing a distant frontrunner in second while leading the rest of the field—which prevented him from displaying his true form and resulted in a fifth-place finish. Nevertheless, his impressive victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic earned him a rating of 125, the highest among Japanese-trained horses entered in the coming Japan Cup. As the standard-bearer for the home team, he is set to reaffirm his class in the highly anticipated race.
Croix du Nord (JPN, C3, by Kitasan Black, out of Rising Cross):
5 wins / 7 starts, 120 L as of 2025 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Deby) (1st)
The son of Kitasan Black was unbeaten in his two-year-old season last year, winning all three of his starts including the Hopeful Stakes (G1, 2,000m), and was subsequently named the Best Two-Year-Old Colt of that year. He kicked off the current season in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1, 2,000m) where he experienced his first career defeat with a second-place finish, but returned fully primed to claim a commanding victory in the Japanese Derby. In his autumn campaign, the brown colt headed to France for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1, 2,400m) and competed in the Prix du Prince d’Orange (G3, 2,000m) as a prep race. Although his training did not go ideally, he outdueled subsequent Arc victor Daryz—while carrying 1 kg more—to claim victory, raising hopes that he could become the first Japanese-trained horse to win the Arc. However, drawing the widest gate in the Arc, he was forced to set the pace, unable to secure a favorable position behind his rivals, and ultimately faded to a disappointing 14th. He will aim for a strong comeback in the Japan Cup staged at the same venue where he won the Japanese Derby.
Masquerade Ball (JPN, C3, by Duramente, out of Mask Off):
4 wins / 7 starts, 121 I as of 2025 Tenno Sho (Autumn) (1st)
The Duramente colt began this season with a comfortable victory in the Kyodo News Hai (G3, 1,800m) and continued to perform consistently in the spring Classics, finishing third in the Satsuki Sho and second in the Tokyo Yushun. Opting out of the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, G1, 3,000m), the last leg of the Triple Crown, the colt instead took on older foes in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1, 2,000m) for his autumn campaign. With a slow early pace, he displayed a powerful turn of foot, taking command after the uphill stretch and holding off the field by 3/4 length to claim his first G1 title. The dark bay boasts an impressive record of three wins and a second from four starts at Tokyo Racecourse, with his only defeat being his runner-up effort in the Derby. He is now set to return to his favored venue to once again challenge the older generation.
Tastiera (JPN, H5, by Satono Crown, out of Partitura):
4 wins / 13 starts, 120 I as of 2025 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1st)
The 2023 Japanese Derby winner enjoyed a stellar three-year-old season, securing runner-up efforts in both the Satsuki Sho and the Kikuka Sho, and earning the Best Three-Year-old Colt title. While his performances during the first half of his four-year-old season were disappointing, the Satono Crown colt regained his form in the latter half, finishing second to Do Deuce in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and a respectable third behind Romantic Warrior and Liberty Island in the Hong Kong Cup (G1, 2,000m). This April, the five-year-old bay returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since his Derby title, capturing Hong Kong’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, 2,000m). While heavily defeated to eighth in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), he is expected to return to his top form to capture another G1 title in the Japan Cup.
Justin Palace (JPN, H6, by Deep Impact, out of Palace Rumor):
5 wins / 22 starts, 119 L as of 2024 Japan Cup (5th)
A half-brother to 2013 Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice, who now stands as a stallion in Japan, the six-year-old belongs to the same age group as the dominant winners of the past two Japan Cup races, Equinox and Do Deuce. During his four-year-old spring campaign, the son of Deep Impact registered back-to-back victories in major long-distance events—the Hanshin Daishoten (G2, 3,000m) and the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1, 3,200m). Although winless since, he has remained remarkably consistent in his subsequent 12 starts, all at the G1 level, marking a second, three thirds, three fourths and two fifths, missing the top five only three times. His recent performances have been fruitful as well, finishing third in both the Takarazuka Kinen (G1, 2,200m) and the Tenno Sho (Autumn). The brown horse will aim to capture his second G1 victory before retiring at the end of this season to begin his career as a stallion next year.
Shin Emperor (FR, C4, by Siyouni, out of Starlet's Sister):
3 wins / 12 starts, 123 L as of 2024 Japan Cup (tied 2nd)
A full brother to 2020 Arc winner Sottsass and trained by Yoshito Yahagi, who is renowned for his international accomplishments including Forever Young’s victory in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, the Siyouni colt demonstrated his aptitude for European turf when he finished a close third in last year’s Irish Champion Stakes (G1, 2,000m), his first challenge against older generations. Although his next challenge in the Arc was unsuccessful, finishing 12th, he quickly bounced back after his return to share the runner-up spot with Durezza in the Japan Cup. Continuing his international ventures, the chestnut colt traveled to Saudi Arabia this February and claimed his first win in 15 months, securing his second graded title in the Neom Turf Cup (G2, 2,100m) with a wire-to-wire performance. After finishing sixth in his second Irish Champion Stakes challenge in September, the plan to race him in the Arc was cancelled due to a health issue, and he has since focused on recovery with the Japan Cup as his target.
Durezza (JPN, H5, by Duramente, out of More Than Sacred):
5 wins / 13 starts, 123 L as of 2024 Japan Cup (tied 2nd)
The 2023 Kikuka Sho champion, despite an underwhelming performance in last year’s Tenno Sho (Spring) in April, finished fifth in his first overseas challenge in the International Stakes in August and then regained his form upon returning home, securing a tied second in the Japan Cup. The brown horse began the current season with a third behind Danon Decile and Calandagan in the Dubai Sheema Classic but showed little in his next two starts—ninth in the Takarazuka Kinen in June and eighth in the Kyoto Daishoten (G2, 2,400m) in October. As in the previous season, the son of Duramente is aiming to return to peak form in the upcoming Japan Cup.
