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A former JRA representative notes, “Residents of Japan and pick up a sports section, the top three activities come up. Baseball is one, one is sumo wrestling, and the third is horse racing. The sport is ubiquitous, and the horses are magnificent. It’s full of excitement and allure, with the Arc as the ultimate goal in this long-running endeavor for half a century. This is the reason the nation are emotionally invested.”

Annual Pilgrimage

A multitude of devotees making the 12,000-mile round trip along with many more tuning in back home, the moment has arrived as usual. Ever since the first entrant, Japan’s pioneer contender at the Arc, finished 11th over five decades ago, 32 more sought victory in vain. On Sunday, another trio – the latest hopefuls – aim to break the streak.

As an example of determination amid repeated setbacks, there is little to match it globally. England fans might complain about 59 years of hurt, yet their squad does at least have a World Cup win. In recent decades, Japanese horse racing has expanded to become the leading and most lucrative in the world. Yet the result despite massive investment and millions of air miles is a series of painful near-misses.

Bitter Defeats

• El Condor Pasa finished half a length behind the winner having led near the finish.
• A national icon, bringing masses of supporters, was less than a length behind in 2006 later stripped of placement due to a prohibited substance.
• Nakayama Festa lost by a mere head the victor.
• The 2012 favorite took command a furlong out yet veered and was overtaken at the line.

Unfavorable track conditions and bad luck, during the event, have been factors to the winless streak. Entrants familiar with lightning-fast going in Japan falter on the deep ground common in Paris this time of year. However, Kusano thinks it has also been an evolving strategy. “For an owner and you win a Japanese Derby, the natural conclusion is: ‘The Arc is possible,’ however, reality differs because it looks similar, but it’s a totally different game.

“Domestic tracks is really flat and local thoroughbreds developed into like a Formula One car, but in Europe, a sturdier type, since the ground looks green and smooth but when you walk on it, it’s totally different. This is why racing teams have adapted their approach to bring horses which both run on smooth ground with added stamina.

This Year's Hopefuls

Notably that the three Japanese challengers in the upcoming race have all had a typically localized buildup: an extended midsummer break then a tune-up event. This isn’t the most numerous group previously entered in an Arc – several in the past were spread out further back – yet they possess impressive quality.

So perhaps this will finally be the year allowing the pilgrims celebrate at last after years of loyalty for these athletes.

“Basically, wagering is limited across the country with just four authorized betting sports, including thoroughbred racing,” Kusano says. “Yet the governing body has done a very good job in rebranding the sport beyond wagering as a multifaceted spectacle accessible to all, and bonding people with the sport in a different way internationally.

“For local supporters, when we have star horses participating, of course people will travel, to experience the excitement. We’ve won in Hong Kong and the Middle East and most places on comparable tracks, and this is the box the elusive prize over many years.”