Tokyo Daishoten (G1): The Year-End Dirt Championship at Oi Racecourse & The Legends of Umamusume

By Dr. Toku Veterinarian (DVM) & Senior Analyst, Japan Racing Daily

As the year draws to a close and the festive mood settles over Japan, the racing calendar saves one of its most prestigious events for last. Held annually on December 29th, the Tokyo Daishoten (G1) is the grand finale of Japanese dirt racing. Unlike the Arima Kinen which concludes the JRA (Japan Racing Association) turf season, the Tokyo Daishoten is the jewel of the NRA (National Association of Racing)—the local government racing circuit.

Taking place at the iconic Oi Racecourse (Tokyo City Keiba – TCK), known for its glamorous “Twinkle Race” night events, this race is held during the day, shining a spotlight on the grit and power of the nation’s best dirt horses. It is the only international G1 race hosted by a local government track, making it a unique bridge between Japan’s “grassroots” racing culture and the global stage. For many fans, this race decides the “Dirt Horse of the Year,” crowning the true king of the sand before the season resets.

Course Analysis: Oi Racecourse 2000m (Veterinary Perspective)

To understand why certain horses flourish here, we must look at the anatomy of the course and the surface itself. The Oi 2000m is a right-handed outer course known for its fairness. It features a spacious layout and the longest home stretch in local racing at 386 meters. This allows for dramatic late charges, unlike smaller local tracks where positioning in the corners is everything.

Veterinary Insight: The Physics of “Deep Sand”

From a veterinary standpoint, the dirt at Oi is fundamentally different from the turf surfaces seen in the JRA or the dirt tracks in the USA. Japanese dirt is essentially sand, often maintained at a depth of 8cm.

• Concussion vs. Resistance: Turf racing creates high impact forces (concussion) on the hoof and fetlock, favoring horses with lighter skeletal structures and “snap.” Oi’s deep sand absorbs impact but creates immense resistance.
• The “Power” Requirement: When a horse’s hoof lands in this sand, the pastern sinks deep. To propel forward, the horse cannot rely on the ground’s rebound; they must physically lift and push their leg out of the sand. This requires extraordinary gluteal and hamstring strength.
• Stamina over Speed: This surface saps energy rapidly. A horse built for pure speed (fast-twitch muscle fibers) will often “drown” in the sand over 2000m. The winners here are typically those with superior cardiovascular endurance and heavy, muscular frames capable of grinding through the resistance for two minutes straight.

Recent Winners & Results (Data Table)

Looking at the history of this race, we see a trend of “Repeaters”—horses who master the specific demands of Oi and return to dominate for years. Based on the data from the last decade, here are the recent champions who have defined this era.

(Note: Data reflects the dominance of Omega Perfume and the rise of world-class talents like Ushba Tesoro and Forever Young.)

The “Umamusume” Legends of Tokyo Daishoten

For fans of Umamusume: Pretty Derby, the Tokyo Daishoten is holy ground. Many of the “dirt girls” in the franchise built their legends right here. Let’s separate the anime lore from the real history.

Inari One (1988 Winner)

Before he was Oguri Cap’s rival or a JRA superstar, Inari One was the “Monster of Oi.” Born from humble beginnings, he debuted in local racing (NRA) rather than the elite JRA circuit. His 1988 season at Oi was nothing short of tyrannical. In the Tokyo Daishoten that year, he displayed the raw, unrefined power that would later shock the turf world. His victory wasn’t just a win; it was his ticket out. It proved he was too strong for local racing, propelling him to transfer to the JRA where he would go on to win the Arima Kinen and Tenno Sho. He represents the “American Dream” of Japanese racing—starting from the grit of the dirt to reach the stars.

Smart Falcon (2010, 2011 Winner)

Known to fans as the “Suzuka of Dirt,” Smart Falcon radically changed how dirt racing was perceived. In the anime, she is an idol who wants to be the center of attention; in reality, his racing style was just as dominant. Smart Falcon was a “nige” (runner/escape) specialist who possessed such terrifying speed that he would often seal the race by the first corner. His camp famously avoided JRA turf battles to focus entirely on dominating the local dirt grades. By winning the Tokyo Daishoten back-to-back, he didn’t just win races; he effectively “toured” the local tracks of Japan, raising the prestige of every race he entered.

Hokko Tarumae (2013, 2014 Winner)

If Smart Falcon was the fleeing star, Hokko Tarumae was the “King of Durability.” The pride of Tomakomai City, he was a horse of immense fortitude. He holds a special place in history for breaking the record for most G1/Jpn1 wins (10 wins) at the time. His style wasn’t flashy; it was a grinding, crushing pressure that broke his opponents’ spirits. Winning the Tokyo Daishoten twice demonstrated his incredible consistency. In a sport where horses are fragile, Tarumae was a tank, showing up to the biggest fights year after year and rarely missing the board.

Copano Rickey (2017 Winner)

The “Feng Shui” Horse, famous for his owner Dr. Copa’s rituals, had one of the most dramatic careers in history. His rivalry with Hokko Tarumae is legendary. But his greatest moment came at the very end. In the 2017 Tokyo Daishoten, his final retirement race, many thought he was past his prime. Instead, Rickey delivered a masterclass. He took the lead, controlled the pace, and pulled away in the straight to win his 11th G1 title, breaking the record previously held by Hokko Tarumae. It was a perfect storybook ending—proving he was the strongest dirt horse of his generation on his very last day.

Why Japanese Dirt Racing is Special

While the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen get the global headlines, NRA dirt racing has a “soul” that is distinct. It is closer to the fans, grittier, and often features horses that race much more frequently than their turf counterparts.

The Tokyo Daishoten has evolved from a local festival to a global proving ground. Recent winners like Ushba Tesoro have used this race as a springboard to win the Dubai World Cup, proving that horses honed on the deep sand of Oi are the toughest in the world. When you watch this race, you aren’t just watching a local event; you are watching potential world champions in the making.

Conclusion

The Tokyo Daishoten is more than just a race; it is a celebration of endurance, history, and the unique culture of Japanese dirt racing. Whether you are cheering for the next “Umamusume” legend or analyzing the biomechanics of the thoroughbred, December 29th at Oi Racecourse is the place to be.

We invite you to witness history. Don’t miss the next chapter of the legend.

Recommended Watch:

For those who want to see the perfect “last run” mentioned above, witness Copano Rickey’s emotional retirement victory.

This video captures the 2017 Tokyo Daishoten where Copano Rickey, in his final career race, secured a record-breaking 11th G1 victory with a dominant wire-to-wire performance that solidified his status as a dirt racing legend.