The Japan Cup: runner-by-runner guide plus verdict

The 44th running of the Japan Cup on Sunday has attracted three high-class European challengers in Auguste Rodin, Fantastic Moon and Goliath, perhaps in no small part to the “incentive bonus” which could see connections of the winner walk away with as much as $6.5million. 

The great race was established in 1981 and last year was crowned as No 1 in the list of the World’s Top 100 Group One and Grade One races for 2023, compiled by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The brilliant winner, Equinox, was also named the World’s Best Racehorse.

Alkaased was the last international winner of the mile and a half (2400 metres) contest back in 2005. 

Could the barren run be about to end? You can watch what happens live on Racing TV. Here’s a guide to all the contenders 

Age: 4 Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Jockey: Ryan Moore Draw: 8 

Like Longfellow’s little girl with a curl, when he’s good, he’s very good indeed but when he’s bad, he’s horrid. As a son of Japanese legend Deep Impact, he’s a hugely significant runner and one who should relish the track conditions while Moore has won this race twice. Never wins by far but the six-time Group One winner is a high class and gritty performer. 

Age: 5 Trainer: Tatsuya Yoshioka. Jockey:  --. Draw: 2 

Took nine attempts to win and didn’t win a graded race until this season but had several of these behind when winning a first Grade One in the Takarazuka Kinen with cut in the ground. However, ran no race last time and up against it. 

Age: 3 Trainer: Tetsuya Kimura. Jockey: Christophe Lemaire. Draw: 9 

Almond Eye and Gentildonna won this at three and Cervinia may well have emulated that pair in winning the fillies’ Triple Crown but for injury, a wide draw and absence of Lemaire. Won the last two legs impressively, showing a smart turn of foot, and this Harbinger filly gets all the allowances. 

Age: 5 Trainer: Noriyuki Hori. Jockey: Kohei Matsuyama. Draw: 6 

Proved his class on the world stage when second and third in the Dubai Turf in 2023 and 2024 but hasn’t landed a blow in the past two renewals of this, finishing fifth and sixth, and a similar outcome is likely for this hold-up performer. 

Age: 5 Trainer: Yasuo Tomomichi. Jockey: Yutaka Take. Draw: 3 

Japanese Derby winner in 2022 (beating 2024 Japan Cup winner Equinox) before finding testing conditions against him in the Arc de Triomphe. Given a lot to do when a never nearer fourth 12 months ago when Take was sidelined. Posted impressive sectionals when coming from rear to win a slowly run race last time and arrives in top form. 

Age: 4 Trainer: Tomohito Ozeki. Jockey: William Buick. Draw: 10 

Last seen finishing fifth behind City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International. The 2023 Japanese Leger winner is two from two at Tokyo, has a powerful finishing kick and is tactically versatile but has it all to do.

Age: 4 Trainer: Sarah Steinberg. Jockey: Rene Piechulek. Draw: 13 

Has found underfoot conditions against him in the past two renewals of the Arc and better judged on his defeat of Dubai Honour on his penultimate start. Ground won’t be an issue here and connections have had this race in mind for some time. Could hit the frame. 

Age: 4 Trainer: Francis Graffard. Jockey: Christophe Soumillon. Draw: 1 

Announced himself on the big stage with a brilliant victory in the King George VI at Royal Ascot, beating Bluestocking, Rebel’s Romance and Auguste Rodin. Warmed up for this with a defeat of Hamish despite a penalty, testing ground and being said to be short of peak fitness. Leading claims. 

Age: 5 Trainer: Haruki Sugiyama. Jockey: Cristian Demuro. Draw: 4 

Enjoyed a fine 2023 campaign, hitting the frame behind Equinox in the Takarazuka Kinen and Tenno Sho (autumn). This son of Deep Impact was fourth in the Sheema Classic before finding soft ground against him in the Takarazuka Kinen but latest run in the Tenno Sho (autumn) was a step in the right direction and he’s entitled to be on the premises. 

Age: 8 Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi. Jockey: Makoto Sugihara. Draw: 11. 

Little to suggest this veteran, eighth in 2022, can take the fight to his opponents at this level. 

Age: 3 Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi. Jockey: Ryusei Sakai. Draw: 7 

Japanese Derby third ran a blinder to finish close-up in the Irish Champion Stakes despite being said to be short of full fitness. Can be excused his Arc defeat due to the ground and his Leopardstown form puts him in the picture. 

Age: 4 Trainer: Takahisa Tezuka. Jockey: Takeshi Yokoyama. Draw: 12 

Won the 2023 Japanese 2000 Guineas and was a neck second in the Derby over course and distance. Has struggled to improve on that form and was three lengths behind Do Deuce last time which leaves him with work to do. 

Age: 5 Trainer: Mizuki Takayanagi. Jockey: Yuga Kawada. Draw: 14 

Kept on well to finish a five-length third last year under William Buick, one place in front of Do Deuce, when drawn wide and having her first start since May. Disappointed on her sole start this year in Meydan’s Sheema Classic but said to be pleasing connections and last season’s form puts her firmly in the mix. 

Age: 5 Trainer: Noriyuki Hori. Jockey:  Katsuma Sameshima. Draw: 5. 

Grade Two winner over course and distance but looks out of his depth. 

A low draw has been advantageous but may not have the same bearing with a smaller than usual field. 

Last year’s third and fourth should go well again and Cervinia has live claims of providing Lemaire with a record-breaking fifth Japan Cup win but the international challenge is the strongest for some time. 

This is a huge day in Auguste Rodin’s career and he should be dangerous on the pace under Moore but Goliath is preferred. His star is firmly in the ascendancy, and he can provide Soumillon with a second Japan Cup, ten years on from the first. 

1 Goliath 2 Cervinia 3 Stars On Earth