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A former JRA representative explains, “If you’re living in Japan and read a sports section, three key disciplines come up. One is baseball, sumo wrestling is another, and the final one is thoroughbred racing. Racing is ever-present, and thoroughbreds are beautiful animals. The challenge and passion are palpable, and a challenge to the Arc because we’ve been trying to win for over five decades. I think that’s why Japanese people are deeply connected.”

A Tradition of Hope

Countless enthusiasts from Japan traveling the long distance along with many more tuning in back home, it is that time annually. Ever since the first entrant, the initial representative at the Arc, finished 11th in 1969, three dozen others sought victory in vain. On Sunday, three more – Byzantine Dream, Alohi Alii and Croix Du Nord – aim to break the streak.

As an example of unwavering effort despite painful and often bitter experience, there is little to match it globally. British followers may grumble over decades of disappointment, but the national team boasts a World Cup win. Since the 1990s, the nation’s turf sport has developed to become the leading and most lucrative internationally. All it has to show after enormous spending and extensive travel is a string of painful near-misses.

Close Calls

• One early contender was narrowly defeated by the champion after leading until the last moment.
• A national icon, bringing masses of supporters, nearly triumphed in 2006 though subsequently disqualified over a drug violation.
• An unexpected challenger lost by a mere head Workforce.
• The 2012 favorite sprinted ahead with a furlong to go but wandered and was chased down by Solemia.

Heavy going along with ill fortune, regarding post positions and racing incidents, have both played a part in Japan’s 0-for-33 record. Entrants familiar with firm turf domestically come unstuck in softer conditions typically found during the Arc. Kusano, though believes it’s also an evolving strategy. “For an owner and you win a Japanese Derby, normally they will think: ‘We might be able to win an Arc,’ however, reality differs because it looks similar, the challenges are unique.

“Racing surfaces in Japan is really flat and local thoroughbreds bred to be precision machines, abroad, you need an SUV, as the turf looks green and smooth yet underfoot, the going varies. And that’s why the Japanese connections have researched extensively to bring horses able to handle variety and maybe have an element of SUV.

This Year's Hopefuls

It is certainly striking the latest entrants in the upcoming race experienced an almost localized buildup: time off in summer then a tune-up event. While not the largest squad previously entered overseas – several in the past finished widely in the lower positions – yet they possess impressive quality.

So perhaps this will finally be the year when the travelling fans receive their due after years of loyalty to their equine heroes.

“Fundamentally, betting is restricted nationally and there are only four officially approved gambling sports, among them horse racing,” Kusano says. “However, the JRA has succeeded of changing the image from purely a betting sport to a more diverse sport that everyone can enjoy, uniting enthusiasts with the sport distinctly compared to elsewhere.

“In the view of enthusiasts, when we have star horses lining up, supporters make the trip, to feel part of the drama. Victories in Hong Kong and other regions and most places on comparable tracks, the Arc remains the elusive prize over many years.”