Welcome to the 2026 JRA Racing Season! For fans of Japanese horse racing around the globe, the calendar doesn’t truly flip until the gates open for the first graded race of the year. We kick things off traditionally on the first Sunday of the New Year—January 4, 2026—with the Grade 3 Nakayama Kimpai at Nakayama Racecourse.
This 2000-meter handicap contest is more than just the first leg of the JRA 2026 racing schedule. In Japan, “Kimpai” translates to “Gold Cup,” signifying luck and good fortune for the year ahead. For connections and bettors alike, a win here isn’t just a paycheck; it’s an auspicious start to the new campaign.
As we prepare for the opener, let’s dive into the history, the demanding course specifications, and the trends you need to know before placing your wagers.
Race Review: The 2025 Edition (Recap)
Before looking ahead to the nakayama kimpai 2026, it is valuable to review the 2025 edition. It was a thrilling contest run on firm going. The race was captured by Al Naseem, ridden masterfully by Yusuke Fujioka. Al Naseem showed a tremendous turn of foot in the final 300 meters, threading through traffic to secure victory.
Notably for our 2026 outlook, he held off a very determined challenge from Meiner Moment, who had to settle for second place by a narrow margin. Keep an eye on that runner-up—he is registered to run again this year and will be looking to go one better.
2025 Nakayama Kimpai race replay won by Al Naseem.
Race History & Legend: The Story of Sakura Laurel
The Nakayama Kimpai isn’t just a celebratory season opener; history proves it can be a legitimate launching pad for future Grade 1 stars. While it is run under handicap conditions, elite talent has often emerged from this G3 test.
The quintessential example of this stepping-stone effect is the legendary Sakura Laurel. In 1995, Sakura Laurel captured the Kimpai, signaling his arrival on the big stage. That win propelled him to a historic season where he famously defeated the Triple Crown winner, Narita Brian, in the Tenno Sho (Spring) and capped his brilliant career with a victory in the prestigious Arima Kinen over the same Nakayama turf. Winning the Nakayama Gold Cup can truly be the first step toward immortality in Japanese racing lore.
Mastering the Nakayama Racecourse 2000m Test
Understanding the venue is crucial for betting success in Japan, and nakayama racecourse presents a unique, physically demanding challenge for thoroughbreds.
The Kimpai is run over the 2000m Inner Turf Course. Unlike the sweeping, long straights of Tokyo Racecourse, Nakayama is a tight, turning circuit that often favors agile horses over long-striding gallopers who need time to wind up.
The Crucial Elements of the Course:
- The Double Slope: The race starts at the top of the homestretch. Almost immediately, runners face Nakayama’s infamous steep uphill climb right out of the gate, which tests stamina immediately. They must negotiate this grueling slope twice during the race—once at the start and again in the critical final 200 meters before the wire.
- Tight Geometry: The corners at Nakayama are notably sharp. This geometry naturally favors horses with a low center of gravity that can handle turns efficiently without losing momentum.
- The Draw and Rail Bias: Because of the tight turns, an interior draw is often a significant advantage, saving valuable ground while outside runners risk being carried wide. Furthermore, as this is the start of the winter meet, the track is usually set to the “C-Course” (rail moved out), which tends to preserve the inside ground. This setup frequently aids front-runners and those nestled on the rail, making it difficult for closers to swoop wide.
Recent Winners of the Nakayama Kimpai (Past 10 Years)
To better understand the type of horse that excels at the Nakayama Gold Cup, looking at the honor roll of previous champions is essential. From future G1 winners like Lovely Day to course specialists like Win Bright, this race consistently rewards toughness and tactical speed.
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Win Odds |
| 2025 | Al Naseem | 6 | Yusuke Fujioka | Shinsuke Hashiguchi | 8.4 |
| 2024 | Licancabur | 5 | Akihide Tsumura | Katsunori Tanaka | 7.8 |
| 2023 | Lagulf | 4 | Keita Tosaki | Yoshitada Munakata | 4.5 |
| 2022 | Red Galant | 7 | Arata Saito | Takayuki Yasuda | 15.9 |
| 2021 | Hishi Iguazu | 5 | Kohei Matsuyama | Noriyuki Hori | 2.5 |
| 2020 | Triomphe | 6 | Mirco Demuro | Naosuke Sugai | 4.6 |
| 2019 | Win Bright | 5 | Masami Matsuoka | Yoshihiro Hatakeyama | 3.9 |
| 2018 | Seda Brillantes | 4 | Keita Tosaki | Takahisa Tezuka | 3.5 |
| 2017 | Tsukuba Azuma O | 6 | Yutaka Yoshida | Mitsuhiro Ogata | 2.8 |
| 2016 | Yamakatsu Ace | 4 | Kenichi Ikezoe | Kaneo Ikezoe | 4.9 |
| 2015 | Lovely Day | 5 | Francis Berry | Yasutoshi Ikee | 10.3 |
Editor’s Note: Notice the prevalence of 4 to 6-year-olds in the winner’s circle. Only one horse older than 6 (Red Galant in 2022) has managed to defy the weight and the hill in the last decade.
Key Statistical Trends for the Nakayama Kimpai
To help refine your early thoughts, here are some historical trends regarding the Nakayama Kimpai over the last decade:
- Market Reliability: While the first favorites are generally stable and often hit the board, they aren’t unbeatable in this handicap scenario. However, the winner almost exclusively emerges from the top five in popularity. It is relatively rare for a massive longshot to steal the “Gold Cup.”
- The Sweet Spot for Age: The data heavily favors mature, stronger horses. 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, and 6-year-olds dominate this race. Younger horses often lack the physical seasoning for the Nakayama hill, while veterans aged 7 or older often find the handicap weight conditions too demanding against sprightlier rivals.
- Rotation Matters: Horses entering the Kimpai off a similar middle distance (like the 2000m Challenge Cup in December) often perform well. Conversely, fresh horses returning from a significant autumn break also have a strong record, indicating that freshness can be key for having enough energy for that final uphill drive.
2026 Field Outlook: Early Contenders
While final declarations and the all-important barrier draw are not yet set, the list of registered entries for the nakayama kimpai 2026 promises a competitive affair.
The narrative starts with the returning runner-up, Meiner Moment. After his agonizingly close second-place finish in the 2025 edition, he returns seeking vengeance. He has proven he handles the course topology and the distance; the question is if he can find that extra length this year under new handicap weights.
Other notable entries include Angola Black, whose recent form over the autumn suggested he is peaking at the right time for a graded stakes attempt, and Sirius Colt, a talented 5-year-old looking to make a firm statement in graded company to start his season.
As we get closer to race day, keep an eye out for our definitive Japan horse racing picks. We will publish our final analysis on January 3rd once the final field, track conditions, and jockey assignments are confirmed.
Conclusion
The Nakayama Kimpai is the perfect appetizer for what promises to be another incredible year of JRA action. It offers a challenging course, a fascinating blend of seasoned handicappers and rising stars, and the historical weight of fighting for the “Gold Cup.” Get your form guides ready, and be sure to bookmark Japan Racing Daily for the final verdict on the season opener!
We analyze the clash between rising stars Angola Black and Canela Fina against pedigree powerhouses like Meiner Mond and Sirius Colt. Explore expert bloodline insights, weight advantages, and course suitability for Japan’s 2026 season opener.
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