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A former JRA representative observes, “If you’re living in Japan and open a racing paper, three major sports are featured. Baseball is one, one is sumo wrestling, and the third is thoroughbred racing. Racing is ever-present, and these athletes are stunning. It’s full of excitement and allure, with the Arc as the ultimate goal because we’ve been trying to win for more than 50 years. That explains Japanese people are so attached.”

Annual Pilgrimage

Countless enthusiasts from Japan making the 12,000-mile round trip and millions more tuning in back home, the season is here once again. Ever since the first entrant, Japan’s pioneer contender in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, finished 11th in 1969, three dozen others sought victory in vain. On Sunday, additional challengers – this year’s candidates – will take their shot.

One standout case of determination in the face of heartbreaking losses, few stories compare globally. British followers may grumble about 59 years of hurt, however, the team does at least have a global title. In recent decades, the nation’s turf sport has expanded as the wealthiest and top-performing in the world. All it has to show after enormous spending and extensive travel is a string of frustrating outcomes.

Heartbreak and Near-Misses

• A 1999 runner came up just short against the champion after leading until the last moment.
• Deep Impact, attracting huge crowds, was less than a length behind in his attempt later stripped of placement over a drug violation.
• An unexpected challenger was narrowly beaten by the victor.
• The 2012 favorite took command with a furlong to go then drifted and was chased down at the line.

Heavy going along with ill fortune, during the event, have both played a part in the string of losses. Horses accustomed to firm turf in Japan falter in softer conditions that generally prevails during the Arc. Kusano, though thinks it has also been part of a learning process. “As a horse owner taking a classic race, often the thought is: ‘The Arc is possible,’ yet that isn’t true since it appears comparable, the competition is distinct.

“Racing surfaces in Japan is really flat and local thoroughbreds are trained to become precision machines, but in Europe, more versatile athletes, as the turf seems perfect yet underfoot, the going varies. And that’s why the Japanese connections have adapted their approach to select entrants able to handle variety with added stamina.

2024's Trio

Notably the latest entrants set to compete experienced an almost localized buildup: an extended midsummer break then a tune-up event. While not the largest squad ever sent in an Arc – a quartet two years ago finished widely among the also-rans – but it has impressive quality.

So perhaps this will finally be the year for the devoted supporters celebrate at last for unwavering support to their equine heroes.

“Fundamentally, gambling is prohibited across the country and there are only four officially approved gambling sports, among them horse racing,” Kusano says. “Yet the governing body has worked effectively to reshape perceptions away from mere gambling into a broader entertainment that everyone can enjoy, uniting enthusiasts with the sport in a different way to other countries.

“For local supporters, as top competitors participating, supporters make the trip, to experience the excitement. Success abroad and other regions and most places on comparable tracks, and this is the box the elusive prize over many years.”