Contenders of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: Japan's Elusive Five-Decade Pursuit at Longchamp.

An industry expert observes, “Residents of Japan and open a racing paper, three major sports appear. Baseball is one, sumo wrestling is another, and the other one is the sport of kings. Racing is ever-present, and the horses are magnificent. The challenge and passion are palpable, especially the Arc quest because we’ve been trying to win for over five decades. I think that’s why fans in Japan are emotionally invested.”

Annual Pilgrimage

A multitude of devotees making the 12,000-mile round trip and millions more tuning in back home, the moment has arrived once again. Beginning with Speed Symboli, the first Japanese-trained runner in Europe’s premier race, finished 11th over five decades ago, 32 more attempted without success. On Sunday, additional challengers – Byzantine Dream, Alohi Alii and Croix Du Nord – aim to break the streak.

One standout case of unwavering effort despite painful and often bitter experience, few stories compare across sports. Supporters of England may grumble regarding their own drought, yet their squad can claim a World Cup win. Over the last 30 years, Japan’s racing industry has developed to become the richest and most successful internationally. Yet the result for the trillions of yen and extensive travel is a string of increasingly agonising disappointments.

Close Calls

• A 1999 runner came up just short against Montjeu while in front to the final strides.
• A national icon, attracting huge crowds, nearly triumphed that year before being disqualified for banned medication.
• Nakayama Festa was narrowly beaten by Workforce.
• Perhaps the most painful sprinted ahead with a furlong to go yet veered and was overtaken at the line.

Bad ground combined with misfortune, with the draw and in the race, have been factors to the winless streak. Runners used to firm turf at home falter in softer conditions typically found during the Arc. An expert perspective suggests it was part of a learning process. “As a horse owner taking a classic race, normally they will think: ‘We might be able to win an Arc,’ but sometimes it’s not the case since it appears comparable, the challenges are unique.

“The Japanese turf are very level with domestic runners bred to be like a Formula One car, overseas, you need an SUV, since the ground looks green and smooth but when you walk on it, it feels different. Hence racing teams have adapted their approach to bring horses suited to firm conditions with added stamina.

2024's Trio

Notably the latest entrants in the upcoming race experienced an almost localized buildup: time off in summer and then a run in a trial. This isn’t the most numerous group ever sent for this race – four runners in 2022 placed apart in the lower positions – but it has notable depth.

So perhaps this will finally be the year when the travelling fans celebrate at last for unwavering support behind their stars.

“In essence, betting is restricted across the country and there are only four officially approved gambling sports, one of which is horse racing,” he adds. “But the Japan Racing Association has succeeded of changing the image away from mere gambling to a more diverse sport accessible to all, and bonding people to racing uniquely to other countries.

“In the view of enthusiasts, as top competitors lining up, of course people will travel, to experience the excitement. We’ve won in Hong Kong and the Middle East across various venues where conditions align, the Arc remains that we have wanted to tick for decades.”