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An industry expert notes, “If you’re living in Japan and open a sports newspaper, the top three activities appear. One is baseball, sumo wrestling is another, and the third is thoroughbred racing. Racing is ever-present, and thoroughbreds are beautiful animals. The challenge and passion are palpable, with the Arc as the ultimate goal as Japan has pursued victory for more than 50 years. This is the reason Japanese people are so attached.”

Annual Pilgrimage

A multitude of devotees traveling the long distance and millions more following live broadcasts, it is that time as usual. Ever since the first entrant, Japan’s pioneer contender at the Arc, placed 11th over five decades ago, three dozen others have tried and failed. At Longchamp, another trio – this year’s candidates – aim to break the streak.

One standout case of unwavering effort in the face of heartbreaking losses, few stories compare in international sport. British followers could lament over decades of disappointment, however, the team boasts a global title. Since the 1990s, the nation’s turf sport has developed as the wealthiest and top-performing globally. Yet the result after enormous spending and millions of air miles is a series of painful near-misses.

Heartbreak and Near-Misses

• A 1999 runner finished half a length behind the winner having led until the last moment.
• Deep Impact, bringing masses of supporters, was less than a length behind in 2006 though subsequently disqualified over a drug violation.
• The 2010 entry lost by a mere head Workforce.
• The 2012 favorite sprinted ahead a furlong out then drifted and was chased down in the closing strides.

Unfavorable track conditions combined with misfortune, regarding post positions and racing incidents, have contributed in the string of losses. Horses accustomed to quick surfaces in Japan often struggle on testing tracks that generally prevails this time of year. Kusano, though thinks it has also been a gradual education. “If you are an owner and you win a Japanese Derby, normally they will think: ‘We can conquer Europe,’ however, reality differs while it seems alike, but it’s a totally different game.

“Domestic tracks tend to be uniform with domestic runners developed into sprint specialists, but in Europe, you need an SUV, since the ground seems perfect but when you walk on it, the going varies. This is why racing teams have studied a lot to prepare runners suited to firm conditions and greater resilience.

2024's Trio

Interestingly the latest entrants set to compete have all had a typically European training regimen: an extended midsummer break then a tune-up event. It is not the biggest team previously entered for this race – several in the past were spread out among the also-rans – however, there is notable depth.

Is success imminent for the devoted supporters receive their due after years of loyalty for these athletes.

“Basically, gambling is prohibited in Japan with just four officially approved gambling sports, one of which is horse racing,” notes the expert. “But the Japan Racing Association has worked effectively of changing the image from purely a betting sport as a multifaceted spectacle that everyone can enjoy, connecting fans to racing in a different way to other countries.

“In the view of enthusiasts, as top competitors participating, supporters make the trip, to share in the challenge. We’ve won in Hong Kong and the Middle East in numerous locations with similar surfaces, the Arc remains the final goal for a long time.”