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An industry expert notes, “Anyone in Japan and pick up a sports section, three key disciplines come up. First is baseball, one is sumo wrestling, and the third is thoroughbred racing. We are always exposed to racing, and the horses are magnificent. There is drama and romance, with the Arc as the ultimate goal in this long-running endeavor for half a century. That explains fans in Japan are so attached.”

A Tradition of Hope

Countless enthusiasts from Japan making the 12,000-mile round trip plus additional viewers watching from Japan, the moment has arrived once again. Since Speed Symboli, the first Japanese-trained runner at the Arc, came in 11th in 1969, 32 more attempted without success. On Sunday, additional challengers – Byzantine Dream, Alohi Alii and Croix Du Nord – aim to break the streak.

One standout case of unwavering effort amid heartbreaking losses, few stories compare globally. England fans could lament about 59 years of hurt, however, the team boasts a global title. In recent decades, Japanese horse racing has grown to become the wealthiest and top-performing globally. But the return after enormous spending and extensive travel is a string of frustrating outcomes.

Heartbreak and Near-Misses

• El Condor Pasa finished half a length behind Montjeu while in front near the finish.
• The legendary Deep Impact, bringing masses of supporters, was less than a length behind that year later stripped of placement for banned medication.
• Nakayama Festa was just a head behind Workforce.
• Orfevre charged into a clear lead a furlong out but wandered and was chased down by Solemia.

Heavy going and bad luck, during the event, have been factors in the string of losses. Runners used to firm turf in Japan often struggle on the deep ground common in Paris at Longchamp in early October. An expert perspective suggests it was an evolving strategy. “As a horse owner and you win a Japanese Derby, the natural conclusion is: ‘We can conquer Europe,’ however, reality differs while it seems alike, the competition is distinct.

“Racing surfaces in Japan tend to be uniform and the Japanese horses developed into sprint specialists, but in Europe, a sturdier type, because the surface looks green and smooth in reality, it feels different. Hence the Japanese connections have researched extensively to bring horses suited to firm conditions and maybe have an element of SUV.

2024's Trio

It is certainly striking the latest entrants set to compete underwent a typically European training regimen: a summer hiatus followed by a prep race. While not the largest squad that Japan has fielded overseas – several in the past placed apart in the lower positions – yet they possess notable depth.

Could this be the breakthrough for the devoted supporters receive their due after years of loyalty behind their stars.

“In essence, wagering is limited 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 in rebranding the sport from purely a betting sport as a multifaceted spectacle for general audiences, and bonding people to racing in a different way to other countries.

“For local supporters, with elite runners lining up, of course people will travel, to share in the challenge. We’ve won in Hong Kong and the Middle East across various venues with similar surfaces, and this is the box the final goal over many years.”