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An industry expert notes, “If you’re living in Japan and read a sports newspaper, the top three activities are featured. First is baseball, one is sumo wrestling, and the final one is thoroughbred racing. We are always exposed to racing, and the horses are magnificent. It’s full of excitement and allure, especially the Arc quest in this long-running endeavor for over five decades. I think that’s why fans in Japan are deeply connected.”

Renewed Ambition

A multitude of devotees making the 12,000-mile round trip plus additional viewers watching from Japan, the moment has arrived as usual. Ever since the first entrant, the initial representative in Europe’s premier race, finished 11th over five decades ago, three dozen others have tried and failed. This year, three more – the latest hopefuls – will make the attempt.

As an example of persistence despite painful and often bitter experience, it’s nearly unmatched globally. England fans may grumble about 59 years of hurt, but the national team does at least have a global title. Since the 1990s, Japanese horse racing 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 painful near-misses.

Close Calls

• A 1999 runner came up just short against the champion after leading until the last moment.
• Deep Impact, who drew tens of thousands, finished a close third that year before being disqualified due to a prohibited substance.
• An unexpected challenger was just a head behind the victor.
• Perhaps the most painful sprinted ahead with a furlong to go yet veered and was overtaken at the line.

Heavy going combined with misfortune, regarding post positions and racing incidents, have both played a part in Japan’s 0-for-33 record. Entrants familiar with firm turf in Japan often struggle in softer conditions typically found this time of year. Kusano, though thinks it has also been a gradual education. “For an owner taking a classic race, the natural conclusion is: ‘The Arc is possible,’ however, reality differs while it seems alike, but it’s a totally different game.

“Racing surfaces in Japan tend to be uniform and local thoroughbreds developed into like a Formula One car, overseas, a sturdier type, because the surface seems perfect in reality, it’s totally different. This is why trainers and owners have researched extensively to prepare runners able to handle variety and maybe have an element of SUV.

2024's Trio

It is certainly striking this year’s trio in the upcoming race experienced a typically localized buildup: a summer hiatus then a tune-up event. This isn’t the most numerous group previously entered in an Arc – a quartet two years ago were spread out further back – yet they possess impressive quality.

So perhaps this will finally be the year when the travelling fans receive their due after years of loyalty for these athletes.

“Basically, betting is restricted across the country only a handful of authorized betting sports, including thoroughbred racing,” he adds. “But the Japan Racing Association has succeeded to reshape perceptions from purely a betting sport as a multifaceted spectacle that everyone can enjoy, and bonding people to the events uniquely compared to elsewhere.

“For local supporters, as top competitors participating, supporters make the trip, to experience the excitement. We’ve won in Hong Kong and the Middle East and most places where conditions align, this trophy is that we have wanted to tick for decades.”