An industry expert observes, “Residents of Japan and open a sports section, the top three activities come up. One is baseball, one is sumo wrestling, and the final one is horse racing. The sport is ubiquitous, and thoroughbreds are beautiful animals. There is drama and romance, and a challenge to the Arc because we’ve been trying to win for half a century. This is the reason Japanese people are so attached.”
Annual Pilgrimage
Countless enthusiasts from Japan making the 12,000-mile round trip and millions more tuning in back home, the moment has arrived once again. Ever since the first entrant, the initial representative at the Arc, finished 11th over five decades ago, three dozen others attempted without success. On Sunday, another trio – the latest hopefuls – aim to break the streak.
One standout case of persistence in the face of painful and often bitter experience, it’s nearly unmatched in international sport. British followers could lament about 59 years of hurt, however, the team boasts a World Cup win. In recent decades, the nation’s turf sport has developed to become the richest and most successful in the world. But the return after enormous spending and extensive travel are numerous of frustrating outcomes.
Heartbreak and Near-Misses
- One early contender was narrowly defeated by the winner after leading to the final strides.
- Deep Impact, who drew tens of thousands, nearly triumphed in his attempt though subsequently disqualified for banned medication.
- An unexpected challenger lost by a mere head the victor.
- The 2012 favorite sprinted ahead a furlong out but wandered and got caught at the line.
Heavy going combined with misfortune, during the event, have been factors in the string of losses. Entrants familiar with quick surfaces domestically falter in softer conditions that generally prevails at Longchamp in early October. Kusano, though suggests it was an evolving strategy. “For an owner and you win a Japanese Derby, normally they will think: ‘The Arc is possible,’ yet that isn’t true since it appears comparable, the challenges are unique.
“Domestic tracks are very level and the Japanese horses developed into sprint specialists, abroad, you need an SUV, as the turf looks green and smooth in reality, it feels different. This is why the Japanese connections have researched extensively to prepare runners which both run on smooth ground and greater resilience.
This Year's Hopefuls
Interestingly this year’s trio for this year’s Arc experienced what could be described as French preparation: time off in summer then a tune-up event. It is not the biggest team ever sent for this race – four runners in 2022 finished widely further back – but it has impressive quality.
Could this be the breakthrough when the travelling fans are rewarded for their indefatigable devotion for these athletes.
“Fundamentally, wagering is limited nationally and there are only four authorized betting sports, including horse racing,” notes the expert. “However, the JRA has succeeded of changing the image away from mere gambling into a broader entertainment for general audiences, uniting enthusiasts with the sport distinctly internationally.
“From a Japanese fan’s aspect, when we have star horses lining up, of course people will travel, to share in the challenge. We’ve won in Hong Kong and the Middle East across various venues where conditions align, and this is the box that we have wanted to tick over many years.”
