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Kanichi Kusano explains, “If you’re living in Japan and read a sports section, the top three activities are featured. One is baseball, next is sumo, and the other one is the sport of kings. The sport is ubiquitous, and the horses are magnificent. It’s full of excitement and allure, with the Arc as the ultimate goal because we’ve been trying to win for over five decades. That explains Japanese people are emotionally invested.”

Annual Pilgrimage

A multitude of devotees traveling the long distance along with many more tuning in back home, the season is here as usual. Since Speed Symboli, Japan’s pioneer contender at the Arc, came in 11th back in 1969, three dozen others have tried and failed. At Longchamp, another trio – the latest hopefuls – aim to break the streak.

As an example of persistence in the face of painful and often bitter experience, it’s nearly unmatched globally. England fans might complain about 59 years of hurt, but the national team boasts a major trophy. Since the 1990s, the nation’s turf sport has grown as the richest and most successful globally. Yet the result after enormous spending and extensive travel is a string of frustrating outcomes.

Bitter Defeats

• One early contender came up just short against Montjeu having led to the final strides.
• A national icon, who drew tens of thousands, finished a close third that year later stripped of placement for banned medication.
• Nakayama Festa was narrowly beaten by the winning horse.
• Orfevre sprinted ahead in the final stretch then drifted and was chased down in the closing strides.

Unfavorable track conditions along with ill fortune, during the event, have both played a part in Japan’s 0-for-33 record. Runners used to lightning-fast going at home often struggle on the deep ground that generally prevails this time of year. However, Kusano suggests it was an evolving strategy. “As a horse owner taking a classic race, normally they will think: ‘The Arc is possible,’ but sometimes it’s not the case because it looks similar, the challenges are unique.

“Domestic tracks are very level and local thoroughbreds developed into sprint specialists, but in Europe, a sturdier type, since the ground seems perfect but when you walk on it, it’s totally different. This is why the Japanese connections have researched extensively to bring horses able to handle variety and maybe have an element of SUV.

Current Contenders

Interestingly that the three Japanese challengers in the upcoming race underwent an almost localized buildup: time off in summer and then a run in a trial. This isn’t the most numerous group previously entered in an Arc – a quartet two years ago finished widely among the also-rans – however, there is impressive quality.

Is success imminent allowing the pilgrims receive their due for their indefatigable devotion behind their stars.

“In essence, wagering is limited across the country and there are only four permitted activities, among them the turf,” notes the expert. “However, the JRA has done a very good job in rebranding the sport from purely a betting sport to a more diverse sport that everyone can enjoy, connecting fans with the sport distinctly compared to elsewhere.

“From a Japanese fan’s aspect, with elite runners lining up, of course people will travel, to share in the challenge. We’ve won in Hong Kong and Dubai in numerous locations with similar surfaces, the Arc remains that we have wanted to tick for decades.”