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Kanichi Kusano explains, “Residents of Japan and read a sports newspaper, three major sports appear. One is baseball, one is sumo wrestling, and the final one is horse racing. Racing is ever-present, and these athletes are stunning. The challenge and passion are palpable, with the Arc as the ultimate goal as Japan has pursued victory for more than 50 years. I think that’s why the nation are emotionally invested.”

Renewed Ambition

For thousands of Japanese racing fans making the 12,000-mile round trip along with many more following live broadcasts, the season is here as usual. Beginning with Speed Symboli, the first Japanese-trained runner at the Arc, finished 11th in 1969, 32 more have tried and failed. On Sunday, additional challengers – this year’s candidates – will make the attempt.

A prime instance of determination despite painful and often bitter experience, few stories compare across sports. Supporters of England may grumble over decades of disappointment, yet their squad boasts a global title. Over the last 30 years, the nation’s turf sport has developed into the richest and most successful globally. Yet the result for the trillions of yen and countless journeys are numerous of painful near-misses.

Bitter Defeats

• One early contender was narrowly defeated by Montjeu having led until the last moment.
• A national icon, who drew tens of thousands, finished a close third that year though subsequently disqualified due to a prohibited substance.
• The 2010 entry was narrowly beaten by the winning horse.
• Orfevre took command with a furlong to go then drifted and was overtaken in the closing strides.

Unfavorable track conditions along with ill fortune, regarding post positions and racing incidents, have been factors in Japan’s 0-for-33 record. Entrants familiar with firm turf domestically falter on testing tracks common in Paris at Longchamp in early October. However, Kusano suggests it was an evolving strategy. “If you are an owner and you win a Japanese Derby, often the thought is: ‘We can conquer Europe,’ yet that isn’t true because it looks similar, the competition is distinct.

“Domestic tracks is really flat and local thoroughbreds bred to be sprint specialists, overseas, a sturdier type, since the ground seems perfect in reality, it’s totally different. This is why the Japanese connections have studied a lot to select entrants able to handle variety and greater resilience.

Current Contenders

Interestingly the latest entrants set to compete have all had what could be described as European training regimen: a summer hiatus and then a run in a trial. This isn’t the most numerous group that Japan has fielded for this race – a quartet two years ago finished widely further back – but it has notable depth.

Is success imminent when the travelling fans celebrate at last after years of loyalty for these athletes.

“Basically, wagering is limited nationally with just four permitted activities, among them horse racing,” he adds. “Yet the governing body has succeeded to reshape perceptions beyond wagering as a multifaceted spectacle accessible to all, and bonding people to racing in a different way compared to elsewhere.

“In the view of enthusiasts, as top competitors entering, naturally, fans journey, to experience the excitement. Success abroad and the Middle East across various venues on comparable tracks, this trophy is that we have wanted to tick for decades.”