Kanichi Kusano observes, “Anyone in Japan and open a sports newspaper, three major sports come up. First is baseball, one is sumo wrestling, and the final one is the sport of kings. We are always exposed to racing, and these athletes are stunning. There is drama and romance, and a challenge to the Arc because we’ve been trying to win for more than 50 years. This is the reason the nation are so attached.”
A Tradition of Hope
A multitude of devotees making the 12,000-mile round trip and millions more following live broadcasts, the season is here annually. Beginning with Speed Symboli, the initial representative in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, came in 11th back in 1969, three dozen others have tried and failed. This year, additional challengers – the latest hopefuls – will make the attempt.
A prime instance of persistence in the face of repeated setbacks, there is little to match it across sports. British followers might complain over decades of disappointment, but the national team boasts a global title. Over the last 30 years, the nation’s turf sport has expanded as the leading and most lucrative internationally. But the return despite massive investment and countless journeys is a series of frustrating outcomes.
Heartbreak and Near-Misses
- A 1999 runner finished half a length behind the winner while in front near the finish.
- Deep Impact, who drew tens of thousands, finished a close third that year later stripped of placement over a drug violation.
- An unexpected challenger was just a head behind Workforce.
- Orfevre sprinted ahead in the final stretch but wandered and got caught by Solemia.
Unfavorable track conditions combined with misfortune, during the event, have both played a part in the string of losses. Horses accustomed to quick surfaces in Japan come unstuck on the deep ground that generally prevails at Longchamp in early October. An expert perspective believes it’s also part of a learning process. “If you are an owner and you win a Japanese Derby, normally they will think: ‘We might be able to win an Arc,’ yet that isn’t true while it seems alike, the competition is distinct.
“Domestic tracks tend to be uniform and the Japanese horses developed into sprint specialists, overseas, more versatile athletes, as the turf appears pristine but when you walk on it, it feels different. And that’s why the Japanese connections have researched extensively to prepare runners which both run on smooth ground with added stamina.
This Year's Hopefuls
It is certainly striking that the three Japanese challengers for this year’s Arc have all had an almost French preparation: time off in summer and then a run in a trial. It is not the biggest team ever sent overseas – several in the past were spread out further back – yet they possess impressive quality.
So perhaps this will finally be the year for the devoted supporters are rewarded for their indefatigable devotion behind their stars.
“Basically, gambling is prohibited in Japan and there are only four permitted activities, among them horse racing,” Kusano says. “However, the JRA has succeeded to reshape perceptions away from mere gambling into a broader entertainment accessible to all, uniting enthusiasts to racing in a different way to other countries.
“In the view of enthusiasts, when we have star horses lining up, naturally, fans journey, to experience the excitement. We’ve won in Hong Kong and the Middle East across various venues with similar surfaces, the Arc remains the final goal for decades.”
