Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix): The Ultimate Year-End Showdown at Nakayama Racecourse

By Dr. Toku, DVM, Senior Analyst for Japan Racing Daily

In the global landscape of horse racing, few events rival the emotional intensity and sheer spectacle of the Arima Kinen (G1). While the Japan Cup showcases international prestige, the Arima Kinen—known simply as “The Grand Prix”—is the race that belongs to the people.

Run in late December at the historic Nakayama Racecourse, this race is unique because the field is primarily selected by a public fan vote. Millions of votes are cast by fans hoping to see their favorite horses—whether they are sprinters, milers, or stayers—clash in one final dream matchup. It is a national tradition in Japan, regularly generating the highest betting turnover of any single race in the world. For us in the industry, it is the ultimate “final exam” of the year.

Course Analysis: Nakayama Racecourse 2500m (Veterinary Perspective)

As a veterinarian, I look at racecourses not just as tracks, but as biomechanical challenges for the equine athlete. The Nakayama 2500m (Inner Turf) is arguably the most technical and physically demanding Grade 1 course in Japan.

Unlike the sweeping, spacious turns of Tokyo Racecourse, Nakayama is tight, tricky, and unforgiving.

• The “Trick” Start: The race begins on the outer turf course, but quickly transitions to the inner track. This requires immediate positional awareness; getting trapped wide here forces a horse to cover significantly more ground right from the gate.
• The Six-Corner Gauntlet: Over the 2500m journey, horses must navigate six corners. From a veterinary standpoint, this places immense stress on the joints and soft tissues of the inside legs (particularly the suspensory ligaments). A horse must be agile and able to change leads smoothly to conserve energy. A large-strided, cumbersome horse often struggles to maintain balance through these repetitive turns.
• The Deadly Slope: The defining feature of Nakayama is the final straight. It is incredibly short—only 310 meters—and features a steep incline (rising about 2 meters over the last 200 meters). This demands explosive anaerobic power right when the horse is most fatigued. We look for horses with exceptional “posterior power”—strong glutes and hamstrings—to drive them up this hill after running 2300 meters.

Ideal Body Type: For the Arima Kinen, I prefer a horse with agility over raw top speed. A medium-sized, balanced horse that can accelerate instantly (tactical speed) and handle the tight corners is often superior to a long-strided galloper who needs time to wind up.

Past Winners & Results

Below is the history of the Arima Kinen, focusing on the modern era and the legends that defined the sport, based on the official race records.

Note: The data below reflects the race history up to the 70th running in 2025.

Legendary Moments

The Arima Kinen is where the “spirit” of the Japanese thoroughbred shines brightest. Here are the heroes who etched their names into history.

• Oguri Cap (1988 & 1990)
  A true “Idol Horse” who transcended the sport. In 1988, he won the Grand Prix as a 3-year-old. However, his 1990 victory is the stuff of legend. After a string of crushing defeats, critics said he was finished. In his retirement race, under the legendary Yutaka Take, Oguri Cap found one last reserve of spirit to win the 1990 edition. The “Oguri Call” from 170,000 weeping fans remains one of the greatest moments in Japanese sports history.

• Tokai Teio (1993)
  The “Miracle Comeback.” Tokai Teio, the elegant son of Symboli Rudolf, had been plagued by fractures and injury. He entered the 1993 Arima Kinen after a 364-day absence from the track—a layoff that should have made victory impossible. Yet, defying veterinary science and logic, he stormed home to win, leaving the entire nation in tears.

• Grass Wonder (1998 & 1999)
  A foreign-bred monster who loved Nakayama. He first won as a 3-year-old in 1998. But the 1999 renewal was a “Titan vs. Titan” clash against Special Week. In a finish too close to call with the naked eye, Grass Wonder prevailed by a mere 4cm to secure back-to-back Grand Prix titles.

• T M Opera O (2000)
  The year 2000 belonged to the “Opera King.” He completed a perfect autumn campaign by winning the Tenno Sho, Japan Cup, and finally the Arima Kinen in a suffocatingly tight finish. This victory completed his “Grand Slam” and cemented his era of total dominance.

• Symboli Kris S (2002 & 2003)
  A symbol of power. After winning as a 3-year-old in 2002, he returned in 2003 for his retirement race. He didn’t just win; he demolished the field by a record-breaking 9 lengths. It was a terrifying display of strength that remains the gold standard for course suitability.

• Orfevre (2011 & 2013)
  The “Golden Tyrant.” He won the Arima Kinen as a Triple Crown winner in 2011. But his 2013 retirement run was his masterpiece. Known for his volatile temperament, he channeled all his energy into a breathtaking 8-length victory, proving that when focused, he was untouchable.

• Gold Ship (2012)
  The “Unpredictable Grey.” A fan favorite for his wild personality, Gold Ship mastered the difficult Nakayama course like no other. In the 2012 Arima Kinen, he unleashed his signature “long spurt” from the back of the pack, sweeping wide and crushing his rivals. His ability to navigate the six corners while accelerating was a biomechanical marvel.

Conclusion

The Arima Kinen is more than just a horse race; it is a celebration of the equine athletes that have thrilled us throughout the year. The unique combination of fan participation, the punishing technical demands of Nakayama Racecourse, and the massive stakes ensures that only the truly great and versatile horses add their names to its illustrious honor roll. It is the perfect curtain-call for the Japanese racing season.