The Takarazuka Kinen (宝塚記念) is a
Grade I flat horse race
Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its bas ...
in
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
for
Thoroughbreds
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed developed for horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are considered ...
aged three and over a distance of 2,200 metres (approximately miles) at
Hanshin Racecourse
is located in Takarazuka, Hyogo, Japan. It has a capacity of 139,000 and is used for horse racing. The land was originally owned by Kawanishi Aircraft Company, which manufactured combat planes during World War II. After World War II, GHQ orde ...
(阪神競馬場) in late June. It is one of the two "All-Star" races in Japanese horse racing; the other being the
Arima Kinen
The Arima Kinen (有馬記念) is a Conditions races, Grade I Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in Japan open to Thoroughbreds three-years-old and above and the world's largest betting horserace. It is run in late December each year, over ...
(the Grand Prix) held in late December.
The Takarazuka Kinen was first run in 1960 with a distance of 1,800 metres. From 1961 to 1965 the race was run over 2,000 metres and since 1966 it has been run over its present distance.
The race is run on the turf and is named after the city of
Takarazuka,
Hyōgo, the location of Hanshin Racecourse, which is the venue of the race.
As with the Arima Kinen, the majority of the runners in the field are selected by a vote from racing fans, while the remainder are determined by the amount of prize money won.
Winners since 1984
Earlier winners
* 1960 - Homare Hiro
* 1961 - Caesar
* 1962 - Kodama
* 1963 - Ryu Forel
* 1964 - Hikaru Pola
* 1965 -
Shinzan
* 1966 - Eight Crown
* 1967 - Taiyo
* 1968 - Hikaru Takai
* 1969 - Date Horai
* 1970 - Speed Symboli
* 1971 - Mejiro Musashi
* 1972 - Shofu Midori
* 1973 - Hamano Parade
* 1974 -
Haiseiko
* 1975 - Naoki
* 1976 - Fujino Parthia
* 1977 - Tosho Boy
* 1978 - Erimo George
* 1979 - Sakura Shori
* 1980 - Teru Tenryu
* 1981 - Katsu R
* 1982 - Monte Prince
* 1983 - Hagino Kamui O
Vote leaders since 2004
See also
*
Horse racing in Japan
*
List of Japanese flat horse races
This is a list of notable Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse races which take place annually in Japan. Except for the Tokyo Daishoten, all graded races are operated by Japan Racing Association, including all conditions races which currently hold ...
References
*Netkeiba:
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*
Racing Post
''Racing Post'' is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing, and sports betting publisher published in print and digital formats. It is printed in tabloid format from Monday to Sunday. , it has an average daily circulation of 60,629 ...
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External links
Horse Racing in Japan
{{Japanese Grade I horse races
Open middle distance horse races
Horse races in Japan
Turf races in Japan
Breeders' Cup Challenge series