Tokyo Daishōten


The Tokyo Daishōten is a Japanese horse race on dirt track for thoroughbreds three years old and above. It is run over a distance of 2,000 meters at Ōi Racecourse in Shinagawa, Tokyo in December.

History

The race was first held in 1955. At first it was named Aki-no-Kura, meaning 'The Race of Autumn race meeting', and raced over a distance of 2,600 meters. Along with the Spring Kura, the Spring Special, and the Autumn Special, it was positioned as one of the four major races at Oi Racecourse. The first race was run over 2600 meters on dirt, with a first-place prize of 1 million yen.
In 1966, its name was changed to the Tokyo Daishōten.
Since 2011, It has been held as an international Grade 1 race, and is the only international race in Japan not organized by the Japan Racing Association. As of 2011 regulations, foreign-trained horses that preregister for the Japan Cup Dirt are automatically preregistered for the Tokyo Daishoten as well, with transportation costs and travel expenses for returning home the responsibility of the foreign horse's connections. However, if a horse participates in both the Champions Cup and Tokyo Daishōten consecutively, the Special Ward Horse Racing Association covers transportation and travel expenses.
The race provides an alternative to the February Stakes and to the Dubai World Cup Night's meetings for Japanese horses.
Its distance has been changed three times. From 1962 to 1988, it was 3,000 meters long. From 1989 to 1997, it was 2,800 meters. In 1998, the race had been changed to its present distance of 2,000 meters.
Gold Allure, Vermilion, Kane Hekili, Hokko Tarumae, and Copano Rickey have all won the race on the way to winning the JRA Award for Best Dirt Horse.

Records

Speed record
Most successful horse :
  • Omega Perfume – 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 - the first in Japan to win the same international Grade I race fourth times in a row.
Other multiple winners :
  • Adjudi Mitsuo – 2004, 2005
  • Smart Falcon – 2010, 2011
  • Hokko Tarumae – 2013, 2014
  • Ushba Tesoro – ''2022, 2023''

    Winners since 1990

Previous Winners

  • 1955 - Miss Asahiro
  • 1956 - Kenchikara
  • 1957 - Ichikanto
  • 1958 - Daiko Tobuki
  • 1959 - Dancer
  • 1960 - Onslaught
  • 1961 - Saki Midori
  • 1962 - Daisan Kotobuki
  • 1963 - Shinnitsukei
  • 1964 - Orion Horse
  • 1965 - Oshachi
  • 1966 - Gokaioh
  • 1967 - Higashijio
  • 1968 - Ashiyafuji
  • 1969 - Yashima National
  • 1970 - Daini Health O
  • 1971 - Fuji Prince
  • 1972 - Friyufast
  • 1973 - Hidemusashi
  • 1974 - Todoroki Mushi
  • 1975 - Speed Persia
  • 1976 - Fairport
  • 1977 - Todoroki Hiryu
  • 1978 - Hatsushiba O
  • 1979 - Ebi Chikara
  • 1980 - Tokei Hope
  • 1981 - Azuma King
  • 1982 - Trust Hawk
  • 1983 - San-Oi
  • 1984 - Tetsuno Kachidoki
  • 1985 - Suzuyu
  • 1986 - Countess Up
  • 1987 - Tetsuno Kachidoki
  • 1988 - Inari One
  • 1989 - Rosita