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A former JRA representative observes, “Residents of Japan and read a racing paper, the top three activities appear. First is baseball, one is sumo wrestling, and the final one is thoroughbred racing. Racing is ever-present, and thoroughbreds are beautiful animals. The challenge and passion are palpable, with the Arc as the ultimate goal because we’ve been trying to win for over five decades. That explains fans in Japan are deeply connected.”

Renewed Ambition

Countless enthusiasts from Japan making the 12,000-mile round trip and millions more watching from Japan, the season is here as usual. Ever since the first entrant, the initial representative at the Arc, placed 11th in 1969, another 32 attempted without success. On Sunday, three more – this year’s candidates – will take their shot.

A prime instance of persistence in the face of painful and often bitter experience, few stories compare in international sport. Supporters of England might complain over decades of disappointment, yet their squad can claim a World Cup win. In recent decades, Japan’s racing industry has grown into the wealthiest and top-performing globally. All it has to show for the trillions of yen and extensive travel is a series of frustrating outcomes.

Close Calls

• One early contender came up just short against Montjeu having led to the final strides.
• The legendary Deep Impact, bringing masses of supporters, was less than a length behind in 2006 later stripped of placement for banned medication.
• Nakayama Festa was narrowly beaten by Workforce.
• Orfevre charged into a clear lead with a furlong to go then drifted and was chased down by Solemia.

Bad ground and bad luck, during the event, have contributed in the string of losses. Entrants familiar with quick surfaces domestically falter in softer conditions typically found this time of year. However, Kusano suggests it was part of a learning process. “For an owner victorious in the Derby, often the thought is: ‘We might be able to win an Arc,’ yet that isn’t true since it appears comparable, the competition is distinct.

“Racing surfaces in Japan tend to be uniform with domestic runners bred to be precision machines, but in Europe, you need an SUV, as the turf appears pristine but when you walk on it, it feels different. This is why the Japanese connections have studied a lot to bring horses able to handle variety and maybe have an element of SUV.

This Year's Hopefuls

Interestingly this year’s trio for this year’s Arc experienced an almost localized buildup: time off in summer followed by a prep race. It is not the biggest team that Japan has fielded overseas – several in the past were spread out among the also-rans – but it has notable depth.

Could this be the breakthrough when the travelling fans are rewarded for unwavering support to their equine heroes.

“Fundamentally, gambling is prohibited in Japan only a handful of authorized betting sports, including the turf,” Kusano says. “Yet the governing body has succeeded to reshape perceptions away from mere gambling to a more diverse sport for general audiences, connecting fans to racing uniquely internationally.

“In the view of enthusiasts, when we have star horses participating, of course people will travel, to feel part of the drama. Success abroad and the Middle East across various venues on comparable tracks, the Arc remains that we have wanted to tick over many years.”