Cattleya Sho - Tokyo 2025 Notes & History

Tokyo Racecourse, located in Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan, is the largest horse racing venue in the world, with a capacity of up to 223,000 spectators and seating for 13,750. In existence since 1933, it is operated by the Japan Racing Association (JRA) and is renowned as the "Racecourse of Racecourses" in Japanese horseracing.

This venue spans a vast area, with views of Mt. Fuji on clear days, and includes turf, dirt, and steeplechase tracks for all racing formats. There is a slope and slight changes in the elevations down the stretch on the dirt course (more pronounced on the turf course). It is also usually packed to the rafters with die-hard racing fans all year long.

Dirt Track Layout (Historical JRA Data)

The dirt course at Tokyo Racecourse is designed for high-speed, left-handed (counter-clockwise) racing. It is known for its wide, sweeping turns and a notably long stretch, which allows for dramatic come from behind finishes. The track's design favors horses with strong stamina and closing speed, particularly in longer dirt races, due to the extended stretch, slight elevations, and the chute's use for distances up to 2,100 meters.

Feature	Details
Circumference	1,900 meters (approximately 9.5 furlongs or 1 mile, 1 furlong, and 98 yards)
Chute	1,600 meters (for longer races, extending from the main oval)
Direction	Left-handed (counter-clockwise), consistent with three JRA tracks (Tokyo, Chūkyō, and Niigata)
Width	Approx. 27 yards (varies slightly, providing ample room for large fields)
The Stretch	Approximately 550 yards, one of the longest in Japan, enabling sustained speed in the final stretch
Turns	Wide and sweeping, but generally flatter for dirt consistency

JRA dirt courses generally use a blend of fine sand (for drainage and speed) and clay (for cohesion and stability). This composition ensures a firm, fast base that can handle heavy use. September through November at Tokyo offers the best racing climate, 64 to 77 degrees, clear skies and very mild temperatures where frost is very uncommon.

Monthly Dirt Track Condition Tendencies (Historical JRA Data)

Month	Typical Dirt Rating	Notes
Jan–Feb	Fast (90%)	Dry, cold, sunny
Mar–May	Fast to Good	Spring rain increases "Good" ratings
Jun–Jul	Muddy/Sloppy (60%)	Peak of rainy season
Aug–Sep	Fast	Post-rainy season, hot and dry
Oct–Nov	Fast to Good	Ideal racing weather
Dec	Fast	Dry winter return

CATTLEYA SHO PAST WINNERS - 1600 meters / approx 8f

Year	Winner	Trainer	First Call	Notes	DOSAGE
2024	Natural Rise	Keizo Ito	4th	Settled midpack early; rallied strongly in the stretch to win by 3/4 length.	Index: 4.00 ANZ = 5.00 Scale: 12/12 16-17-16
2023	Amante Bianco	Keisuke Miyata	7th	Closed from off the pace in his second start at the distance; edged clear by 3/4 length.	Index: 3.00 ANZ = 6.20 Scale: 10/10 17-18-17
2022	Continuar - This horse became a famous TURF RUNNER after this win on dirt.	Yoshito Yahagi	5th	Tracked in second flight (10-horse field); wore down the leader late for a neck victory.	Index: 1.15 ANZ = 1.89 Scale: 10/17 13-21-20 Turf Runner
2021	Consigliere	Yukio Inagaki	6th	Midpack in 15-horse field; surged outside turning for home to hold on by a neck.	Index: 3.67 ANZ = 5.67 Scale: 08/12 14-15-18
2020	Lemon Pop	Hiroyasu Tanaka	2nd	Stalked the pacesetter (Takeru Pegasus) before drawing clear by 1 1/2 lengths.	Index: 1.30 ANZ = 1.55 Scale: 14/16 17-20-19
2019	Dieu du Vin	Yukihiro Kato	8th	Came from well back on a sloppy track; powered home by 3/4 length in fast time.	Index: 3.00 ANZ = 3.80 Scale: 11/13 16-21-18
2018	Make Happy (filly)	Koichi Shinkai	5th	Midpack stalker, quickened midway through stretch for 2 1/2-length win.	Index: 3.57 ANZ = 3.57 Scale: 09/16 13-21-20
2017	Ruggero	Yuichi Shikato	4th	Stalking trip; inherited lead when pacesetter fell, held on by 1/2 length.	Index: 2.27 ANZ = 1.93 Scale: 11/18 11-22-18
2016	Mont Saint Legame	Koji Maki	3rd	Tracked leaders throughout; edged clear by 1 1/4 lengths in debut at distance.	Index: 3.00 ANZ = 3.00 Scale: 13/13 14-16-14
2015	Lani	Yoko Maeda	3rd	Stalked, drew off by 2 length. Turf debut. Triple Crown run.	Index: 1.92 ANZ = 1.71 Scale: 14/15 15-12-16 1st Gen Tapit

1. No repeat Trainers mastering this race.

2. Only one showed up for US Triple Crown. This may change with the addition of more Prep races in UAE.

3. No Gate to Wire winners or pressers.

4. Balanced mare scale or leaning heavily to stamina. None speed heavy through mares.

5. Mix of high and low indexes, based solely on the lead pace setter's credentials.

6. Mid-pack runners with killer late speed dominate this race.

Official entries will drop on Wednesday, November 26th, and I will update each entry with notes, style, breeding, recent form, etc.