Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame


The Horse Racing Hall of Fame is a Japanese horse racing memorial hall which was installed on September 2, 1985 at the JRA Horse Racing Museum, Fuchu, Tokyo. It was founded by Japan Racing Association to honor the achievements of race horses, jockeys and trainers.
Race horses inducted into the Hall of Fame are called Kensho-ba while jockeys and trainer are called Kensho-sha by the Japan Racing Association.

Race horse nomination

The selection of a race horse for the Hall of Fame is decided annually by a vote in June. It is voted on by members of the press. Racehorses are inducted into the Hall of Fame if they gather over three-quarters of the total vote.
Voters can vote for race horses which:
  • Have won more than three Grade 1 races.
  • Have had excellent racing and breeding results
  • Have had a positive contribution to the racing world or JRA.
Since 2004, an additional rule was introduced: that race horses which retired less than a year, or more than 20 years ago cannot be nominated. In that year only, an extra vote was held exclusively for horse which retired more than 20 years.
YearNameSexFoaled
2025Equinox Stallion23 MAR 2019
2024King Kamehameha Stallion20 MAR 2001
2024Contrail Stallion1 APR 2017
2023Almond Eye Mare10 MAR 2015
2020Kitasan Black Stallion10 MAR 2012
2018Lord Kanaloa Stallion11 MAR 2008
2016Gentildonna Mare20 FEB 2009
2015Orfevre Stallion14 MAY 2008
2014El Condor Pasa Stallion17 MAR 1995
2011Vodka Mare4 APR 2004
2008Deep Impact Stallion25 MAR 2002
2004T. M. Opera O Stallion13 MAR 1996
2004Takeshiba O Stallion23 APR 1965
1999Taiki Shuttle Stallion23 MAR 1994
1997Narita Brian Stallion3 MAY 1991
1995Tokai Teio Stallion20 APR 1988
1994Mejiro McQueen Stallion3 APR 1987
1991Oguri Cap Stallion27 MAR 1985
1990Maruzensky Stallion19 MAY 1974
1990Ten Point Stallion19 APR 1973
1990Speed Symboli Stallion3 MAY 1963
1990Meiji Hikari Stallion24 MAR 1952
1990Kodama Stallion15 APR 1957
1987Mejiro Ramonu Mare9 APR 1983
1987Symboli Rudolf Stallion13 MAR 1981
1986Mr. C.B. Stallion7 APR 1980
1985Grand Marchs Stallion13 MAY 1969
1985Seiyu Stallion28 MAR 1954
1984Tosho Boy Stallion15 APR 1973
1984Haiseiko Stallion6 MAR 1970
1984Shinzan Stallion2 APR 1961
1984Hakuchikara Stallion20 APR 1953
1984Tokino Minoru Stallion2 MAY 1948
1984Tosa Midori Stallion20 MAY 1946
1984Tokitsukaze Mare10 MAR 1944
1984Kurifuji Mare12 MAR 1940
1984St Lite Stallion2 APR 1938
1984Kumohata Stallion4 MAR 1936

Criticism against the voting process

The voting process for race horse selection has been called in to question, including by some voters, in 2022 after no horses gained the required votes to be inducted in to the Hall of Fame, including Almond Eye despite winning 9 Grade 1 races in her career. While Almond Eye was ultimately inducted in 2023, during that same voting process Contrail was not selected by 1 less vote, and at least 3 votes were cast to Stay Gold, who was already ineligible due to the retirement rules; leading to more criticism against the voting process.

Jockeys

The jockeys who have shown remarkable activity as well as more than 1000 victories are inducted to hall of Fame. The selection was started in 2004.
  • Youichi Fukunaga
  • Hiroyuki Gohara
  • Hiroshi Kawachi
  • Yuuji Nohira
  • Yukio Okabe
  • Masato Shibata
  • Takayoshi Yasuda

Trainers

Trainers who have won more than 1000 races and who have won more than ten times at the eight biggest races: Tokyo Yushun, Satsuki Sho, Kikuka Sho, Yushun Himba, Oka Sho, Tenno Sho and Arima Kinen, are inducted to hall of Fame. The selection was started in 2004.