In the mid-1980s, Kentucky horseman John Gaines established the Breeder’s Cup as an international thoroughbred race. More than 40 years later, the event is living up to the vision.
Horses from nine countries and five continents will compete in the Breeder’s Cup, 1-2 November, at Del Mar in California. Horses and trainers from Argentina, Canada, Chile, France, Ireland, Japan, the UK and US all return. South Africa will compete for the first time.
But Japan dominates the field, with a total of 19 entrants. Forever Young from Hokkaido’s Northern Farm is among the contenders to win Saturday’s $7 million (£5.4 million/€6.4 million) Longines Classic, along with Irish-trained City of Troy and US favourites Fierceness and Next.
Japan contingent “exceeded expectations”
In 2021, Japan sent eight horses to Del Mar and came away with two trophies: Loves Only You in the Filly & Mare Turf and Marche Lorraine in the Distaff. That momentum is now a tsunami.
The volume and diversity of Japanese entries “exceeded all of our expectations”, Breeder’s Cup executive vice president Dora Delgado told the BloodHorse. Japan-bred horses “are kind of breaking out – they’re covering the gamut from dirt to turf, babies. They’re all over the place.”
In seven races, three-year-old Forever Young has lost just once: a third-place photo finish at this year’s Kentucky Derby.
Otherwise, he’s unbeaten since his maiden outing at Kyoto in October 2023. He won the Mombetsu and Kawasaki later in the year, and the Saudi and UAE derbies in 2024. After the loss at Churchill Downs, the frequent flyer won the Japan Dirt Classic in Ohi on 2 October. To date, the Yoshito Yahagi trainee has earned almost $3 million.
Japan’s appetite for sports
By law, those living in Japan may only wager on horse racing, a national lotto and certain motorsports. But they make the most of these options and horse racing generates the most interest. According to Statista, last year Japan residents wagered more than $23 billion on the sport.
Those living in Japan are restricted to betting on four international races. In 2023, they were responsible for $19.2 million of the almost $25 million in separate-pool wagering at the Breeder’s Cup.
The country’s sports-loving fans watch their favourites compete in simulcasts from around the world. For example, an estimated 15.9 million Japanese watched the 2024 World Series. As the New York Times reports, that’s more than 10% of the entire population of Japan – and more than the American audience of fewer than 11.45 viewers.
Japan’s favorite Major League Baseball player is Shohei Ohtani, a five-time all-star who pitches and is a designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani started his career with Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters before signing with the Dodgers in 2018.
Japanese fans were rewarded for their devotion to baseball when the LA Dodgers, including Ohtani and starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, rallied to beat the New York Yankees, 7-6 in Game 5 on 30 October. With the win, the Dodgers won their eighth World Series in franchise history.
Rooting for their favourites, two-legged and four-legged
There’s no question Japan has become a force in international horse racing. For the Japanese, it’s a matter of pride, prestige and the potential for big money from a breeding perspective.
On Saturday, Forever Young and two other Japanese horses, Derma Sotogake and Ushba Tesoro, will enter the gate for the mile-and-a-quarter Longines Classic. US Racing calls them part of “Japan’s juggernaut”.
Trainer Yahagi says his colt is ready to run. “We had a frustrating experience in the spring (at the Kentucky Derby), so I have a strong desire to get revenge,” he told the news outlet. “I hope to show off a strong Forever Young again. He will continue to do his best and I want to win the next in the United States.”
