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Kanichi Kusano notes, “Anyone in Japan and pick up a sports section, three major sports come up. Baseball is one, next is sumo, and the final one is thoroughbred racing. We are always exposed to racing, and thoroughbreds are beautiful animals. It’s full of excitement and allure, and a challenge to the Arc in this long-running endeavor for more than 50 years. This is the reason fans in Japan are emotionally invested.”

A Tradition of Hope

A multitude of devotees making the 12,000-mile round trip plus additional viewers tuning in back home, the season is here as usual. Since Speed Symboli, the initial representative in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, finished 11th over five decades ago, another 32 sought victory in vain. At Longchamp, additional challengers – Byzantine Dream, Alohi Alii and Croix Du Nord – will take their shot.

As an example of unwavering effort amid repeated setbacks, it’s nearly unmatched globally. Supporters of England may grumble over decades of disappointment, yet their squad does at least have a global title. Over the last 30 years, Japan’s racing industry has developed to become the wealthiest and top-performing internationally. But the return for the trillions of yen and millions of air miles are numerous of increasingly agonising disappointments.

Heartbreak and Near-Misses

• El Condor Pasa came up just short against the winner while in front until the last moment.
• The legendary Deep Impact, attracting huge crowds, finished a close third in his attempt though subsequently disqualified due to a prohibited substance.
• The 2010 entry was just a head behind Workforce.
• Perhaps the most painful charged into a clear lead with a furlong to go but wandered and was chased down by Solemia.

Heavy going and bad luck, with the draw and in the race, have contributed in Japan’s 0-for-33 record. Runners used to firm turf in Japan falter on testing tracks typically found during the Arc. Kusano, though suggests it was an evolving strategy. “As a horse owner taking a classic race, often the thought is: ‘We might be able to win an Arc,’ but sometimes it’s not the case since it appears comparable, the challenges are unique.

“Domestic tracks tend to be uniform and the Japanese horses are trained to become sprint specialists, overseas, a sturdier type, since the ground seems perfect yet underfoot, it feels different. And that’s why trainers and owners have adapted their approach to select entrants suited to firm conditions and maybe have an element of SUV.

This Year's Hopefuls

Notably the latest entrants in the upcoming race underwent a typically European training regimen: time off in summer and then a run in a trial. It is not the biggest team that Japan has fielded overseas – four runners in 2022 placed apart further back – however, there is impressive quality.

Could this be the breakthrough for the devoted supporters celebrate at last for their indefatigable devotion for these athletes.

“Basically, wagering is limited across the country with just four officially approved gambling sports, among them horse racing,” Kusano says. “However, the JRA has worked effectively of changing the image beyond wagering as a multifaceted spectacle for general audiences, and bonding people to racing in a different way compared to elsewhere.

“For local supporters, as top competitors entering, supporters make the trip, to share in the challenge. Success abroad and the Middle East and most places where conditions align, the Arc remains the elusive prize for a long time.”