The Sprinters Stakes ( スプリンターズステークス ) is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan open to thoroughbreds which are three-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 1,200 metres (approximately 6 furlongs) at Nakayama Racecourse , and it takes place annually in late September or early October.
7-512: It was first run in 1967, and was given Domestic Grade 3 status when race grading was introduced to Japan in 1984. This was elevated to Domestic Grade 2 in 1987, Domestic Grade 1 in 1990, and to its present level in 2006. Horses trained outside Japan have been eligible to run in the race since 1994. Prior to 2000 the race was run in December, the week before the Arima Kinen (Grand Prix). It
14-480: A Japan Racing Association horse. If at least one horse in top 10 decided not to participate in the race, the void will be filled with next available horse until 10 available runners are filled. The remainder of 6 (including National Association of Racing (NAR) and foreign-based horses) are determined by the amount of prize money won. Until 1999 the Arima Kinen was open to Japanese trained horses only. However,
21-619: Is a Grade I flat horse race in Japan open to Thoroughbreds which are three-years-old or above and the world's largest betting horserace. It is run over a distance of 2,500 metres (approximately 1 mile and 4 + 1 ⁄ 2 furlongs) at Nakayama Racecourse , and it takes place annually in late December. It is one of the two "All-Star" races in Japanese horse racing; the other is the Takarazuka Kinen in late June. The event
28-621: Is now the seventh leg in the nine race Global Sprint Challenge series, preceded by the July Cup and followed by The Age Classic . The 2014 running of the Sprinters Stakes was held at Niigata Racecourse , since Nakayama Racecourse was closed for renovations to the grandstand. The race was previously held in Niigata in 2002. The 2002 race took place at Niigata Racecourse . Arima Kinen The Arima Kinen (有馬記念)
35-511: The Japan Racing Association introduced a new condition in 2000 which allowed for the participation of a foreign trained horse, if it had won that year's Japan Cup (although no such eligible horse has participated in this race). The Arima Kinen was classed as a Domestic Grade I until 2006, and it was then promoted to an International Grade I in 2007. Consequently, it is now possible for more foreign trained horses to compete in
42-488: The race. The maximum number of these was set at four in 2007, and this increased to six for the 2008 running. Speed record: Most wins: Most wins by a jockey : In 2004 vote, Zenno Rob Roy was estimated to have received fewer votes than Cosmo Bulk (Deduced from the official result of Internet vote). However, as Cosmo Bulk was not a Japan Racing Association horse (but belonged to Hokkaido Keiba from NAR ) all votes cast for him were invalid. Vodka
49-489: Was first run in 1956, and it was initially titled the Nakayama Grand Prix (中山グランプリ). The following year it was renamed in memory of Yoriyasu Arima (1884–1957), the founder of the race. The distance was originally set at 2,600 metres, and it was shortened to the present length, 2,500 metres, in 1966. The majority of the runners (10 out of 16) in the field are selected by a vote from racing fans, which must be
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