is a Japanese horse racing course in Fuchū, Japan.
Overview Built in 1932 and officially opened in 1933, Tokyo Racecourse is widely regarded as the "racecourse of racecourses" in Japanese horseracing. Located in Fuchū, western Tokyo, it is easily accessible via public transport: a footbridge connects the venue directly to Fuchūkeiba-seimommae Station,Fuchūkeiba (Fuchu Racecourse) is another name derived from Fuchu City, where the Tokyo Racecourse is located. while another links it to JR East’s Fuchūhommachi Station. With a total spectator capacity of 223,000, including 13,750 seats, the racecourse serves as the premier venue for Japan’s most prestigious flat races, including the Japan Cup, the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), and the Yasuda Kinen, a key event in the Asian Mile Challenge.
History
Founding and early years Tokyo Racecourse was constructed in 1932 on land in Fuchū, western Tokyo, and opened the following year under the Japan Racing Association (JRA)’s predecessor.
Post-war development and prestige Following World War II, the racecourse underwent several upgrades, it became the permanent home of the Tokyo Yushun (first run in 1932) and later hosted the inaugural Japan Cup in 1981.
Modernization and renovation (2000–2007) A redevelopment project, launched in 2000 and completed in 2007, transformed the venue into a state-of-the-art racing and entertainment complex. Among its key additions were the Fuji View Stand, the new main grandstand, which offers views of Mount Fuji on clear days, and the Memorial 60 Stand, erected to commemorate 60 years of the Japan Racing Association. The project also introduced what was then the world’s largest video screen, (66 meters by 11 meters), a record that stood until Kauffman Stadium surpassed it in 2009.
Physical layout and courses The racecourse features three distinct tracks:
Turf Course: Measuring 2,083 meters (6,834 ft) in circumference, it includes two chutes for 1,800 m and 2,000 m starts. Races are run on one of five rail settings: A Course (on the hedge) B Course (rail out 3 m) C Course (rail out 6 m) D Course (rail out 9 m) E Course (rail out 12 m) Dirt Course: 1,899 meters (6,230 ft) around, with a 1,600-meter (5,200 ft) chute for shorter races. Jump Course: A 1,675-meter (5,495 ft) course designed for steeplechase events.
Historically, a 3,200-meter chute was used for the Tenno Sho (Autumn), but it was decommissioned after the race distance was shortened to 2,000 meters and is no longer in use.
Race timing protocol Consistent with international standards, all races at Tokyo Racecourse employ a 5-meter gate run before official timing begins. This ensures accurate distance measurement from the moment horses pass the designated timing point.
Notable races MonthRaceDistanceAge/SexGrade IFeb.February StakesDirt 1600m4yo +MayNHK Mile CupTurf 1600m3yo c&fMayVictoria MileTurf 1600m4yo + fMayYushun Himba (Japanese Oaks)Turf 2400m3yo fMay/Jun.Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby)Turf 2400m3yo c&fJun.Yasuda KinenTurf 1600m3yo +Oct./Nov.Tennō Shō (Autumn)Turf 2000m3yo +Nov.Japan CupTurf 2400m3yo +Grade IIApr.Flora Stakes (Oaks Trial)Turf 2000m3yo fApr./MayAoba Sho (Derby Trial)Turf 2400m3yoMayKeio Hai Spring Cup (Yasuda Kinen Trial)Turf 1400m4yo +May/Jun.Meguro Kinen (Handicap)Turf 2500m3yo +Oct.Ireland Trophy (Queen Elizabeth II Cup trial)Turf 1800m3yo + fOct.Mainichi Okan (Tenno Sho Autumn Trial)Turf 1800m3yo +Oct.Fuji Stakes (Mile Championship Trial)Turf 1600m3yo +Nov.Copa Republica Argentina (Handicap)Turf 2500m3yo +Nov.Keio Hai Nisai StakesTurf 1400m2yoNov.Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai StakesTurf 1800m2yoGrade IIIJan./Feb.Negishi Stakes (February Stakes Trial)Dirt 1400m4yo +Feb.Tokyo Shimbun HaiTurf 1600m4yo +Feb.Kyodo Tsushin HaiTurf 1800m3yoFeb.Diamond Stakes (Handicap)Turf 3400m4yo +Feb.Queen CupTurf 1600m3yo fMayEpsom CupTurf 1800m3yo +Jun.Fuchu Himba StakesTurf 1800m3yo + fOct.Artemis StakesTurf 1600m2yo fNov.Musashino Stakes (Champions Cup Trial)Dirt 1600m3yo +ListedJan.Crocus StakesTurf 1400m3yoJ-Grade II (Steeplechase)Jun.Tokyo High-JumpTurf 3300m3yo +J-Grade III (Steeplechase)Oct.Tokyo Autumn JumpTurf 3300m3yo +
Track records Source: Date RecordedRaceRacehorseJockeyDistanceTimeSexWeightTurf course (2yo)November 4, 2023Keio Hai Nisai StakesCorazon BeatTakeshi Yokoyama1400m1:20.6Filly55kgOctober 5, 2019Saudi Arabia Royal CupSaliosShuu Ishibashi1600m1:32.7Colt55kgNovember 16, 2019Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai StakesContrailRyan Moore1800m1:44.5Colt55kgNovember 28, 20212yo MaidenWith GraceChristophe Lemaire2000m1:58.5Filly54kgTurf course (3yo+)May 3, 2025Keio Hai Spring CupToshin MacauTakeshi Yokoyama1400m1:18.3Horse 658kgMay 12, 2019Victoria MileNormcoreDamian Lane1600m1:30.5Filly 455kgMay 10, 2025Epsom CupSeiun HadesHideaki Miyuki1800m1:43.9Horse 657kgOctober 29, 2023Tennō Shō (Autumn)EquinoxChristophe Lemaire2000m1:55.2Colt 458kgApril 24, 2021Shinryoku Shō (3yo ALW, 1 Win)AlbillaChristophe Lemaire2300m2:18.4Colt 356kgNovember 30, 2025Japan CupCalandaganMickael Barzalona2400m2:20.3Gelding 458kgMay 26, 2019Meguro KinenLook TwiceDamian Lane2500m2:28.2Horse 655kgFebruary 18, 2023Diamond StakesMixologyAtsuya Nishimura3400m3:29.1Colt 456kgDirt course (2yo)November 4, 20172yo NewcomerMr MelodyKeita Tosaki1300m1:17.4Colt55kgOctober 8, 2005Platanus Shō (2yo ALW, 1 Win)Yuwa HurricaneEiji Nakadate1400m1:23.1Colt55kgNovember 23, 20242yo MaidenLuxor CafeRyan Moore1600m1:35.9Colt56kgDirt course (3yo+)November 12, 20163yo+ ALW, 2 WinsSatono FantasyKeita Tosaki1300m1:16.1Colt 356kgJanuary 28, 2018Negishi StakesNonkono YumeHiroyuki Uchida1400m1:21.5Gelding 658kgNovember 1, 2025Perseus Stakes (OP)J PalmsTakuya Ohno1600m1:32.9Gelding 556kgNovember 24, 2007Japan Cup DirtVermilionYutaka Take2100m2:06.7Horse 557kgFebruary 18, 20074yo+ ALW, 2 WinsGroovin' HighKatsuharu Tanaka2400m2:28.6Colt 456kg
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References