Shinzan Kinen


The Shinzan Kinen is a Grade 3 flat horse race in Japan.

Namesake

The race was named in honor of Shinzan, Japan’s second Triple Crown winner, who also won the Tenno Sho and Arima Kinen in 1965, earning the title “Five-Crown Horse.”

Background

The Shinzan Kinen is a Grade III Thoroughbred race in Japan open to 3-year-old horses of either sex. It is held annually in early January at Kyoto Racecourse over a distance of 1,600 meters on turf. Eligible entrants include JRA-trained horses, up to two certified NAR horses, and foreign-trained horses with priority entry. The race is run under weight-for-age conditions: colts and geldings carry 57 kg, while fillies receive a 2 kg allowance. The first-place prize in 2026 is ¥41 million. The race is officially titled the “Nikkan Sports Sho Shinzan Kinen”, sponsored by Nikkan Sports Nishi-Nihon, and the winner receives the Nikkan Sports Newspaper Prize.

History

The Shinzan Kinen was inaugurated on January 15, 1967, as a 4-year-old restricted stakes race to commemorate the legendary horse Shinzan. Although the Chukyo Owners’ Association, where Shinzan’s owner, Kosaku Hashimoto, was a member, had lobbied for the race to be held at Chukyo Racecourse, the JRA chose Kyoto, leading instead to the creation of the Chukyo Daishoten as a compromise. The race has been held almost exclusively at Kyoto over 1,600m since its inception, with only a few exceptions: it was run at Hanshin in 1980 and 1994, and temporarily relocated to Chukyo from 2021 to 2023 and again in 2025 due to Kyoto Racecourse renovations and Hanshin stand refurbishment.
It was elevated to Grade III status in 1984 under JRA’s grading system. International participation expanded gradually: foreign-bred horses were allowed from 1995, NAR horses from 1996, and foreign-trained horses from 2009, when it became an international GIII event with up to 9 foreign runners permitted. In 2024, the race formally adopted fixed weight-for-age, replacing earlier variable systems.
Although several descendants of Shinzan have competed, including Shinzan Homare, Shingun, and Reigning Land, none have ever won the race named in his honor.

Past winners

The Runnings from 2021 to 2023 were held at Chukyo Racecourse due to construction at Kyoto Racecourse.
The 2025 running was held at Chukyo Racecourse due to construction at Hanshin Racecourse.

Gallerie

Netkeiba

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