Japanese Classic Races
In horse racing in Japan, The Classics are a series of flat horse races. All of these races are organized by Japan Racing Association.[1] Each classic is run once each year and is restricted to intact horses that are three years old (i.e., excluding geldings). Only the first five races are considered as classic whilst Shuka Sho were inaugurated in 1996 to replace Queen Elizabeth II Cup as the third leg of triple tiara.[2][3][4]
| Race | Date | Distance | Course | First Run | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) | April | 1,600 meters | Hanshin | 1939 | Three-year-old colts/fillies |
| Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) | 2,000 meters | Nakayama | 1939 | ||
| Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) | May/June | 2,400 meters | Tokyo | 1938 | |
| Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) | 2,400 meters | 1932 | |||
| Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) | October | 3,000 meters | Kyoto | 1938 | |
| Shūka Sho | 2,000 meters | 1996 |
Triple crown for colts
Japanese colts who have obtained the Triple Crown title by winning the Satsuki Sho, Japan Derby and Kikuka Sho.[5]
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Breeder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | St Lite | Kizo Konishi | Waichiro Tanaka | Yusaku Kato | Koiwai Farm |
| 1964 | Shinzan | Masaru Kurita | Bungo Takeda | Kokichi Hashimoto | Yoshimatsu Matsuhashi |
| 1983 | Mr. C.B. | Masato Yoshinaga | Yasuhisa Matsuyama | Chigira Bokujo | Chigira Bokujo |
| 1984 | Symboli Rudolf | Yukio Okabe | Yuji Nohira | Symboli Stud | Symboli Stud |
| 1994 | Narita Brian | Katsumi Minai | Masaaki Okubo | Hidenori Yamaji | Hayata Bokujo |
| 2005 | Deep Impact | Yutaka Take | Yasuo Ikee | Makoto Kaneko | Northern Farm |
| 2011 | Orfevre | Kenichi Ikezoe | Yasutoshi Ikee | Sunday Racing | Shadai Corporation Shiraoi Farm |
| 2020 | Contrail | Yuichi Fukunaga | Yoshito Yahagi | Shinji Maeda | North Hills |
St Lite (1941)
Deep Impact (2005)
Orfevre (2011)
Contrail (2020)
Individual Race Winner
| † | Denotes winners of the Japanese Triple Crown |
| * | Denotes winners of the Satsuki Sho and the Tokyo Yushun but not the Kikuka Sho |
| # | Denotes other winners of any other combination of 2 out of the 3 Japanese Triple Crown races |
| Japanese Triple Crown† | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Satsuki Sho[6][7] | Tokyo Yushun[8][9] | Kikuka Sho[10][11] |
| 1932 | Wakataka | ||
| 1933 | Kabutoyama | ||
| 1934 | Flame Mor | ||
| 1935 | Governor | ||
| 1936 | Tokumasa | ||
| 1937 | Hisatomo♥ | ||
| 1938 | Sugenuma | Tetsumon | |
| 1939 | Rock Park | Kumohata | Marutake |
| 1940 | World Mine | Ieryu | Tetsuzakura |
| 1941 | † St Lite | ||
| 1942 | Arbeit | Minami Homare | Hayatake |
| 1943 | Dielec | # Kurifuji♥ | |
| 1944 | Kuri Yamato | Kaiso | no race |
| 1945 | no race | ||
| 1946 | no race | Azumarai | |
| 1947 | Tokitsukaze♥ | Matsu Midori | Browny♥ |
| 1948 | Hide Hikari♥ | Miharu O | Newford |
| 1949 | # Tosa Midori | Tachikaze | # Tosa Midori |
| 1950 | * Kumono Hana | High Record | |
| 1951 | * Tokino Minoru | Track O | |
| 1952 | * Kurino Hana | Saint O | |
| 1953 | * Bostonian | Hakuryo | |
| 1954 | # Dainana Hoshu | Golden Wave | # Dainana Hoshu |
| 1955 | Kegon | Otokitsu | Meiji Hikari |
| 1956 | Hekiraku | Hakuchikara | Kitano O |
| 1957 | Kazuyoshi | Hikaru Meiji | Rhapsody |
| 1958 | Taisei Hope | Daigo Homare | Koma Hikari |
| 1959 | Wildeal | Komatsu Hikari | Hakukurama |
| 1960 | * Kodama | Kitano Oza | |
| 1961 | Shin Tsubame | Hakusho | Azuma Tenran |
| 1962 | Yamano O | Fair Win | Hirokimi |
| 1963 | * Meizui | Great Yoruka | |
| 1964 | † Shinzan | ||
| 1965 | Chitose O | Keystone | Dai Koter |
| 1966 | Nihon Pillow Ace | Teito O | Nasuno Kotobuki |
| 1967 | Ryuzuki | Asa Denko | Knit Eight |
| 1968 | Martis | Tanino Harromore | Asaka O |
| 1969 | Wild More | Daishin Volgard | Akane Tenryu |
| 1970 | * Tanino Moutiers | Date Tenryu | |
| 1971 | * Hikaru Imai | Nihon Pillow Moutiers | |
| 1972 | Land Prince | Long Ace | Ishino Hikaru |
| 1973 | Haiseiko | # Take Hope | |
| 1974 | # Kitano Kachidoki | Colonel Lancer | # Kitano Kachidoki |
| 1975 | * Kaburaya O | Kokusai Prince | |
| 1976 | Tosho Boy | Climb Kaiser | Green Grass |
| 1977 | Hard Berge | Lucky Ruler | Press Toko |
| 1978 | Fantast | Sakura Shouri | Inter Gushiken |
| 1979 | Bingo Garoo | Katsurano Haiseiko | Hashi Hermit |
| 1980 | Hawaiian Image | Opec Horse | North Gust |
| 1981 | * Katsu Top Ace | Minagawa Manna | |
| 1982 | Azuma Hunter | Bamboo Atlas | Horisky |
| 1983 | † Mr. C.B. | ||
| 1984 | † Symboli Rudolf | ||
| 1985 | # Miho Shinzan | Sirius Symboli | # Miho Shinzan |
| 1986 | Dyna Cosmos | Dyna Gulliver | Mejiro Durren |
| 1987 | # Sakura Star O | Merry Nice | # Sakura Star O |
| 1988 | Yaeno Muteki | Sakura Chiyono O | Super Creek |
| 1989 | Doctor Spurt | Winner's Circle | Bamboo Begin |
| 1990 | Haku Taisei | Ines Fujin | Mejiro McQueen |
| 1991 | * Tokai Teio | Leo Durban | |
| 1992 | * Mihono Bourbon | Rice Shower | |
| 1993 | Narita Taishin | Winning Ticket | Biwa Hayahide |
| 1994 | † Narita Brian | ||
| 1995 | Genuine | Tayasu Tsuyoshi | Mayano Top Gun |
| 1996 | Ishino Sunday | Fusaichi Concorde | Dance in the Dark |
| 1997 | * Sunny Brian | Matikanefukukitaru | |
| 1998 | # Seiun Sky | Special Week | # Seiun Sky |
| 1999 | T M Opera O | Admire Vega | Narita Top Road |
| 2000 | # Air Shakur | Agnes Flight | # Air Shakur |
| 2001 | Agnes Tachyon | Jungle Pocket | Manhattan Cafe |
| 2002 | No Reason | Tanino Gimlet | Hishi Miracle |
| 2003 | * Neo Universe | That's the Plenty | |
| 2004 | Daiwa Major | King Kamehameha | Delta Blues |
| 2005 | † Deep Impact | ||
| 2006 | * Meisho Samson | Song of Wind | |
| 2007 | Victory | Vodka♥ | Asakusa Kings |
| 2008 | Captain Thule | Deep Sky | Oken Bruce Lee |
| 2009 | Unrivaled | Logi Universe | Three Rolls |
| 2010 | Victoire Pisa | Eishin Flash | Big Week |
| 2011 | † Orfevre | ||
| 2012 | # Gold Ship | Deep Brillante | # Gold Ship |
| 2013 | Logotype | Kizuna | Epiphaneia |
| 2014 | Isla Bonita | One and Only | Toho Jackal |
| 2015 | * Duramente | Kitasan Black | |
| 2016 | Dee Majesty | Makahiki | Satono Diamond |
| 2017 | Al Ain | Rey de Oro | Kiseki |
| 2018 | Epoca d'Oro | Wagnerian | Fierement |
| 2019 | Saturnalia | Roger Barows | World Premiere |
| 2020 | † Contrail | ||
| 2021 | Efforia | Shahryar | Titleholder |
| 2022 | Geoglyph | Do Deuce | Ask Victor More |
| 2023 | Sol Oriens | Tastiera | Durezza |
| 2024 | Justin Milano | Danon Decile | Urban Chic |
| 2025 | Museum Mile | Croix du Nord | Energico |
Notes
- ♥ indicates filly
Triple crown for fillies (Triple Tiara)
Japanese fillies who have won the Triple Crown title by winning the Oka Sho, Japan Oaks and one of the following: Shuka Sho (1996 onwards), or the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (formerly the Victoria Cup, from 1970 to 1975; not a Classics race, but was counted as the third leg of the Triple Tiara before 1996).[12] Before the establishment of these crowns in 1970, the third leg of the triple tiara used to be Kikuka Sho which is the basis for the original triple tiara in England (1000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and St. Leger Stakes) as the final race is open for both colts and fillies. Kurifuji gained an uncommon status as both "double crown" and "double tiara" horse as she won Tokyo Yushun, Yushun Himba and Kikuka Sho back in 1943.[13]
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Breeder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Mejiro Ramonu | Hiroshi Kawachi | Shinji Okuhira | Mejiro Bokujo | Mejiro Bokujo |
| 2003 | Still in Love | Hideaki Miyuki | Shoichi Matsumoto | North Hills | Shimokobe Farm |
| 2010 | Apapane | Masayoshi Ebina | Sakae Kunieda | Makoto Kaneko | Northern Farm |
| 2012 | Gentildonna | Yasunari Iwata/Yuga Kawada | Sei Ishizaka | Sunday Racing | Northern Farm |
| 2018 | Almond Eye | Christophe Lemaire | Sakae Kunieda | Silk Racing | Northern Farm |
| 2020 | Daring Tact | Kohei Matsuyama | Haruki Sugiyama | Normandy Thoroughbred Racing | Hasegawa Bokujo |
| 2023 | Liberty Island | Yuga Kawada | Mitsumasa Nakauchida | Sunday Racing | Northern Farm |
Individual Race Winner
| † | Denotes winners of the Japanese Filly Triple Crown |
| * | Denotes winners of the Oka Sho and the Yushun Himba but not Victoria Cup/Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1970-1995) or Shuka Sho (1996-present) |
| # | Denotes other winners of any other combination of 2 out of the 3 Japanese Filly Triple Crown races |
| Japanese Filly Triple Crown† | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Oka Sho | Yushun Himba | Victoria Cup/Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1970-1995) Shuka Sho (1996-present) |
| 1938 | Asteri Mor | ||
| 1939 | Soul Lady | Hoshi Homare | |
| 1940 | Tairei | Rounella | |
| 1941 | Brand Sol | Tetsu Banzai | |
| 1942 | Banner Goal | Rock States | |
| 1943 | Miss Theft | Kurifuji | |
| 1944 | Yamaiwai | no race | |
| 1945 | no race | ||
| 1946 | no race | Mitsumasa | |
| 1947 | Browny | Tokitsukaze | |
| 1948 | Hamakaze | Yashima Hime | |
| 1949 | Yashima Daughter | King Night | |
| 1950 | Tosa Mitsuru | Koma Minoru | |
| 1951 | Tsuki Kawa | Kiyo Fuji | |
| 1952 | * Swee Sue | ||
| 1953 | Kansei | Jitsu Homare | |
| 1954 | * Yamaichi | ||
| 1955 | Yashima Belle | Hiroichi | |
| 1956 | Miss Lilas | Fair Manna | |
| 1957 | * Miss Onward | ||
| 1958 | Hoshu Queen | Miss Marusa | |
| 1959 | Kiyo Take | Okan | |
| 1960 | Tokino Kiroku | Star Roch | |
| 1961 | Sugi Hime | Chitose Hope | |
| 1962 | Kenho | O Hayabusa | |
| 1963 | Miss Masako | I.T.O. | |
| 1964 | * Kane Keyaki | ||
| 1965 | Hatsuyuki | Verona | |
| 1966 | Wakakumo | Hiro Yoshi | |
| 1967 | Sea Ace | Yama Pit | |
| 1968 | Koyu | Lupinus | |
| 1969 | Hide Kotobuki | Shadai Tarquin | |
| 1970 | Tamami | Jupique | Kuni no Hana |
| 1971 | Nasuno Kaori | Kane Himuro | Sun Kotobuki |
| 1972 | # Achieve Star | Take Fubuki | # Achieve Star |
| 1973 | # Nitto Chodori | Nasuno Chigusa | # Nitto Chodori |
| 1974 | Takaeno Kaori | # Toko Elsa | |
| 1975 | * Tesco Gaby | Hidaroman | |
| 1976 | * Titania | Diamante | |
| 1977 | # Inter Gloria | Linear Queen | # Inter Gloria |
| 1978 | Oyama Tesco | Five Hope | Lead Swallow |
| 1979 | Horsemen Tesco | Agnes Lady | Miss Kaburaya |
| 1980 | # Hagino Top Lady | Kei Kiroku | # Hagino Top Lady |
| 1981 | Brocade | Temmon | Agnes Tesco |
| 1982 | Riesengross | Shadai Ivor | Victoria Crown |
| 1983 | Shadai Sophia | Dyna Carle | Long Grace |
| 1984 | Diana Tholon | Tokai Roman | Kyowa Thunder |
| 1985 | Erebus | Noah no Hakobune | Reward Wing |
| 1986 | † Mejiro Ramonu | ||
| 1987 | * Max Beauty | Talented Girl | |
| 1988 | Ara Hotoku | Cosmo Dream | Miyama Poppy |
| 1989 | Shadai Kagura | Light Color | Sand Peeress |
| 1990 | Agnes Flora | Eishin Sunny | Kyoei Tap |
| 1991 | Sister Tosho | Isono Roubles | Rinden Lilly |
| 1992 | Nishino Flower | Adorable | Takeno Velvet |
| 1993 | * Vega | Hokuto Vega | |
| 1994 | Oguri Roman | Chokai Carol | Hishi Amazon |
| 1995 | Wonder Perfume | Dance Partner | Sakura Candle |
| 1996 | Fight Gulliver | Air Groove | Fabulous la Fouine |
| 1997 | Kyoei March | # Mejiro Dober | |
| 1998 | # Phalaenopsis | Erimo Excel | # Phalaenopsis |
| 1999 | Primo Ordine | Umeno Fiber | Buzen Candle |
| 2000 | Cheers Grace | Silk Prima Donna | Tico Tico Tac |
| 2001 | # T M Ocean | Lady Pastel | # T M Ocean |
| 2002 | Arrow Carry | Smile Tomorrow | Fine Motion |
| 2003 | † Still in Love | ||
| 2004 | Dance in the Mood | Daiwa El Cielo | Sweep Tosho |
| 2005 | Rhein Kraft | Cesario | Air Messiah |
| 2006 | Kiss to Heaven | # Kawakami Princess | |
| 2007 | # Daiwa Scarlet | Robe Decollette | # Daiwa Scarlet |
| 2008 | Reginetta | Tall Poppy | Black Emblem |
| 2009 | * Buena Vista | Red Desire | |
| 2010[14] | † Apapane | † Apapane (DH) | † Apapane |
| Saint Emilion (DH) | |||
| 2011 | Marcellina | Erin Court | Aventura |
| 2012 | † Gentildonna | ||
| 2013 | Ayusan | # Meisho Mambo | |
| 2014 | Harp Star | Nuovo Record | Shonan Pandora |
| 2015 | Let's Go Donki | # Mikki Queen | |
| 2016 | Jeweler | Sinhalite | Vivlos |
| 2017 | Reine Minoru | Soul Stirring | Deirdre |
| 2018 | † Almond Eye | ||
| 2019 | Gran Alegria | Loves Only You | Chrono Genesis |
| 2020 | † Daring Tact | ||
| 2021 | Sodashi | Uberleben | Akaitorino Musume |
| 2022 | * Stars on Earth | Stunning Rose | |
| 2023 | † Liberty Island | ||
| 2024 | Stellenbosch | # Cervinia | |
| 2025 | # Embroidery | Kamunyak | # Embroidery |
Triple Crown for Dirt races
Recently established beginning with the 2024 season, no horse has won the Dirt triple crown. The races included in this circuit are Haneda Hai, Tokyo Derby, and Japan Dirt Classic.
Individual Race Winner
| † | Denotes winners of the Japanese Dirt Triple Crown |
| * | Denotes winners of the Haneda Hai and Tokyo Derby but not Japan Dirt Classic |
| # | Denotes other winners of any other combination of 2 out of the 3 Japanese Dirt Triple Crown races |
| Japanese Dirt Triple Crown | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Haneda Hai | Tokyo Derby | Japan Dirt Classic |
| 2024 | Amante Bianco | Ramjet | Forever Young |
| 2025 | * Natural Rise | Narukami | |
See also
References
- ^ "Triple Crown Horse Story: Past Triple Crown Horses". warp.ndl.go.jp (in Japanese). 17 October 2005. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ "Japanese Triple Crown". races.com.au. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ Morgan, David (9 May 2025). "Liberty Island: Confident And Brilliant, A Heroine Adored". Idol Horse. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ Miyoshi, Haruyuki (18 October 2015). "RESULT OF THE 20TH SHUKA SHO (G1)" (PDF). jra.jp. Japan Racing Association. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
- ^ "Japanese Triple Crown: List of Japanese Triple Crown Winners. Orfevre becomes 8th winner of Triple Crown | Horse Racing Library". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ "Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) - Past Winners". ahonoora.com. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ "SATSUKI SHO Past Winners: List of Previous Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (G1) Winners | Horse Racing Library". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 21 April 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ "Tokyo Yushun (Japan Derby) Winners". www.tbheritage.com. Thoroughbred Heritage. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ "TOKYO YUSHUN (JAPANESE DERBY) Past Winners: List of Previous Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1) Winners | Horse Racing Library". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ "歴史・コース:菊花賞 今週の注目レース" [History & Course: Kikuka-sho This Week's Featured Race]. jra.jp (in Japanese). Japan Racing Association. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ "KIKUKA SHO Past Winners: List of Previous Kikuka Sho (Japanese St.leger) (G1) Winners | Horse Racing Library". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 27 October 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ "Japanese Triple Tiara: List of Japanese Triple Tiara Winners. Liberty Island becomes 7th winner of Triple Tiara | Horse Racing Library". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
- ^ "クリフジ | 馬・牧場・施設検索 | 競走馬のふるさと案内所" [Kurifuji | Horse, Ranch & Facility Search | Thoroughbred Horse Heritage Centre]. uma-furusato.com. JBBA. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
- ^ Apapane, Saint Emilion take Yushun Himba in deadheat