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Tennō Shō

FieldValue
classInt'l Grade 1
horse raceTennō Shō (Spring)
image[[File:Justin Palace Tenno Sho (Spring) 2023(IMG1).jpg220px]]
captionJustin Palace winning the 167th Tennō Shō
locationKyoto Racecourse, Kyoto
inauguratedMay 15, 1938
race typeThoroughbred
website
distance3200 meters
(About 16 furlongs / 2 miles)
surfaceTurf
trackRight-handed
qualification4-y-o & Up, Thoroughbreds
weight58 kg
Allowances: 2 kg for fillies and mares
purse
bonusesWinner of the following in the same year:
Ōsaka Hai, Tennō Shō (Spring), Takarazuka Kinen
Domestic: ¥ 300,000,000
International: ¥ 150,000,000
Winner of any three of the following in the same year:
Ōsaka Hai, Tennō Shō (Spring/Autumn), Japan Cup, Takarazuka Kinen, Arima Kinen
Domestic: ¥ 200,000,000
International: ¥ 100,000,000

The Tennō Shō is a horse race held twice a year in Japan, once in the spring and once in the autumn. Tennō refers to the emperor of Japan. The races are both International Grade 1 races. Prior to the 2007 races, both Tennō Shō races were Japanese domestic Grade 1 races.

Spring

(About 16 furlongs / 2 miles) Allowances: 2 kg for fillies and mares Ōsaka Hai, Tennō Shō (Spring), Takarazuka Kinen Domestic: ¥ 300,000,000 International: ¥ 150,000,000 Winner of any three of the following in the same year: Ōsaka Hai, Tennō Shō (Spring/Autumn), Japan Cup, Takarazuka Kinen, Arima Kinen Domestic: ¥ 200,000,000 International: ¥ 100,000,000

The Spring Tennō Shō is held at Kyoto Racecourse, in late April or early May. It is run over a distance of 3200 m, making it the longest Grade 1 race in Japan.

Deep Impact won the 2006 version of the race setting the world record for a 3,200-metre race with a time of 3:13.4, beating the World Record set in the 1988 Wellington Cup by Daria’s Fun, held for almost 20 years of 3:15.59, the closest time run in the Melbourne Cup is 3:16.3. Deep Impact's record stood until Kitasan Black won in 3:12.5 in 2017. The average time for the Tennō Shō rom 1990 to 2018 is 3:16.7, while the same for the Melbourne Cup is 3:21.1, a difference of 4.4 seconds. In the race's history only one mare has won; Leda, in 1953. https://web.archive.org/web/20260128202729/https://www.sahracing.com/index/contents/printable/14813--

Winners since 1990

Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Time
1990Yaeno Muteki5Yukio OkabeSyuuji ItouMakoto Kikura3:21.9
1991Mejiro McQueen4Yutaka TakeYasuo IkeeMejiro Stud3:18.8
1992Mejiro McQueen5Yutaka TakeYasuo IkeeMejiro Stud3:20.0
1993Rice Shower4Hitoshi MatobaYoshitsugu IizukaHideo Kurabayashi3:17.1
1994Biwa Hayahide4Yukio OkabeMitsumasa HamadaBiwa Co Ltd3:22.6
1995Rice Shower6Hitoshi MatobaYoshitsugu IizukaHideo Kurabayashi3:19.9
1996Sakura Laurel5Norihiro YokoyamaKatsutarou SakaiSakura Commerce3:17.8
1997Mayano Top Gun5Seiki TabaraMasahiro SakaguchiYuu Tadokoro3:14.4
1998Mejiro Bright4Hiroshi KawachiHidekazu AsamiMejiro Stud3:15.3
1999Special Week4Yutaka TakeToshiaki ShiraiHiroyoshi Usuda3:17.1
2000T. M. Opera O4Ryuji WadaIchizo IwamotoMasatsugu Takezono3:17.6
2001T. M. Opera O5Ryuji WadaIchizo IwamotoMasatsugu Takezono3:16.2
2002Manhattan Cafe4Masayoshi EbinaFutoshi KojimaKen Nishikawa3:19.5
2003Hishi Miracle4Koichi TsunodaMasaru SayamaMasaichiro Abe3:17.0
2004Ingrandire5Norihiro YokoyamaYoshinami ShimizuChizu Yoshida3:18.4
2005Suzuka Mambo4Katsumi AndoMitsuru HashidaKeiji Nagai3:16.5
2006Deep Impact4Yutaka TakeYasuo IkeeMakoto Kaneko3:13.4
2007Meisho Samson4Mamoru IshibashiShigetada TakahashiYoshio Matsumoto3:14.1
2008Admire Jupiter5Yasunari IwataYasuo TomomichiRiichi Kondo3:15.1
2009Meiner Kitz6Masami MatsuokaSakae KuniedaThoroughbred Club Ruffian3:14.4
2010Jaguar Mail6Craig WilliamsNoriyuki HoriKen Yoshida3:15.7
2011Hiruno d'Amour4Shinji FujitaMitsugu KonHashimoto Bokujo3:20.6
2012Beat Black5Syu IshibashiHitoshi NakamuraKoji Maeda3:13.8
2013Fenomeno4Masayoshi EbinaHirofumi TodaSunday Racing3:14.2
2014Fenomeno5Masayoshi EbinaHirofumi TodaSunday Racing3:15.1
2015Gold Ship6Norihiro YokoyamaNaosuke SugaiKobayashi Eiichi Holdings3:14.7
2016Kitasan Black4Yutaka TakeHisashi ShimizuOno Shoji3:15.3
2017Kitasan Black5Yutaka TakeHisashi ShimizuOno Shoji3:12.5
2018Rainbow Line5Yasunari IwataHidekazu AsamiMasahiro Mita3:16.2
2019Fierement4Christophe LemaireTakahisa TezukaSunday Racing3:15.0
2020Fierement5Christophe LemaireTakahisa TezukaSunday Racing3:16.5
2021World Premiere5Yuichi FukunagaYasuo TomomichiRyoichi Otsuka3:14.7
2022Titleholder4Kazuo YokoyamaToru KuritaHiroshi Yamada3:16.2
2023Justin Palace4Christophe LemaireHaruki SugiyamaMasahiro Miki3:16.1
2024T O Royal6Yuji HishidaInao OkadaTomoya Ozasa3:14.2
2025Redentor4Damian LaneTetsuya KimuraU Carrot Farm3:14.0

The 1994 race was contested at Hanshin Racecourse.

The 2021 and 2022 races were contested at Hanshin Racecourse, due to construction at Kyoto Racecourse.

Earlier winners

  • 1938 - Hase Park
  • 1939 - Sugenuma
  • 1940 - Toki no Chikara
  • 1941 - Marutake
  • 1942 - Minami Mor
  • 1943 - Grand Lite
  • 1944 - Hiro Sakura
  • 1945 - No race
  • 1946 - No race
  • 1947 - Olite
  • 1948 - Cyma
  • 1949 - Miharu O
  • 1950 - Owens
  • 1951 - Takakura Yama
  • 1952 - Mitsuhata
  • 1953 - Leda
  • 1954 - Hakuryou
  • 1955 - Taka O
  • 1956 - Meiji Hikari
  • 1957 - Kitano O
  • 1958 - Onward There
  • 1959 - Tosa O
  • 1960 - Kuripero
  • 1961 - Yamanin More
  • 1962 - Onslaught
  • 1963 - Korehisa
  • 1964 - Hikaru Pola
  • 1965 - Asahoko
  • 1966 - Hakuzuikou
  • 1967 - Speed Symboli
  • 1968 - Hikarutakai
  • 1969 - Takeshiba O
  • 1970 - Riki Eikan
  • 1971 - Mejiro Musashi
  • 1972 - Bell Wide
  • 1973 - Tai Tehm
  • 1974 - Take Hope
  • 1975 - Ichifuji Isami
  • 1976 - Erimo George
  • 1977 - Ten Point
  • 1978 - Green Grass
  • 1979 - Kashuu Chikara
  • 1980 - Nichidou Taro
  • 1981 - Katsurano Haiseiko
  • 1982 - Monte Prince
  • 1983 – Amber Shadai
  • 1984 – Monte Fast
  • 1985 - Symboli Rudolf
  • 1986 - Kushiro King
  • 1987 - Miho Shinzan
  • 1988 - Tamamo Cross
  • 1989 - Inari One

Autumn

(About 10 furlongs / miles) Allowances 2 kg for fillies and mares Tenno Sho (Autumn), Japan Cup, Arima Kinen Domestic: ¥ 300,000,000 International: ¥ 150,000,000 Winner of any three of the following in the same year: Ōsaka Hai, Tenno Sho (Spring/Autumn), Japan Cup, Takarazuka Kinen, Arima Kinen Domestic: ¥ 200,000,000 International: ¥ 100,000,000

The Autumn Tennō Shō is held at Tokyo Racecourse, in late October. It is run over a distance of 2000 m. It is considered the first leg of the Japanese Autumn Triple Crown (the other two are the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen).

Originally, the Autumn Tennō Shō was run over a distance of 3200 m, but was shortened to its current distance to promote middle-distance horses and to promote 3-year-old horses as a shorter-distance alternative to the Kikuka Sho, the Japanese St. Leger, which is 3000 m. The current record holder for this race is Equinox who set up a time of 1:55.2 in 2023, beating previous record holder Tosen Jordan by point nine seconds.

Winners since 1990

Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Time
1990Yaeno Muteki5Yukio OkabeMitsuo OginoFuji Co1:58.2
1991Prekrasnie*4Teruo EdaTerumaso YanoEijiro Tajima2:03.9
1992Let's Go Tarquin5Akikasu OsakiKojiro HashiguchiDiners Club Japan1:58.6
1993Yamanin Zephyr4Masao ShibataHiromu KuritaTadashi Doi1:58.9
1994Nehai Caesar4Katsumi ShiomuraAkira HuseDaimaru Enterprise1:58.6
1995Sakura Chitose O5Futoshi KojimaKatsutarao SakaiSakura Commerce1:58.8
1996Bubble Gum Fellow3Masayoshi EbinaKazuo FujisawaShadai Racehorse1:58.7
1997Air Groove4Yutaka TakeYasunori ItoLucky Field Co Ltd1:59.0
1998Offside Trap7Yoshitomi ShibataShuho KatoTakashi Watanabe1:59.3
1999Special Week4Yutaka TakeToshiaki ShiraiHiroyoshi Usuda1:58.0
2000T. M. Opera O4Ryuji WadaIchizo IwamotoMasatsugu Takezono1:59.9
2001Agnes Digital4Hirofumi ShiiToshiaki ShiraiTakao Watanabe2:02.0
2002Symboli Kris S3Yukio OkabeKazuo FujisawaSymboli Stud1:58.5
2003Symboli Kris S4Olivier PeslierKazuo FujisawaSymboli Stud1:58.0
2004Zenno Rob Roy4Olivier PeslierKazuo FujisawaShinobu Osako1:58.9
2005Heavenly Romance5Mikio MatsunagaMasashi YamamotoNosohiruzu Management2:00.1
2006Daiwa Major5Katsumi AndoHiroyuki UeharaKeizou Ooshiro1:58.8
2007Meisho Samson4Yutaka TakeShigetada TakahashiYoshio Matsumoto1:58.4
2008Vodka4Yutaka TakeKatsuhiko SumiiYuzo Tanimizu1:57.2
2009Company#8Norihiro YokoyamaHidetaka OtonashiEiko Kondou1:57.2
2010Buena Vista4Christophe SoumillonHiroyoshi MatsudaSunday Racing Co Ltd1:58.2
2011Tosen Jordan5Nicola PinnaYasutoshi IkeeTakaya Shimakawa1:56.1
2012Eishin Flash5Mirco DemuroHideaki FujiwaraToyomitsu Hirai1:57.3
2013Just A Way4Yuichi FukunagaNaosuke SugaiAkatsuki Yamatoya1:57.5
2014Spielberg5Hiroshi KitamuraKazuo FujisawaHidetoshi Yamamoto1:59.7
2015Lovely Day5Suguru HamanakaYasutoshi IkeeKaneko Makoto Holdings1:58.4
2016Maurice5Ryan MooreNoriyuki HoriKazumi Yoshida1:59.3
2017Kitasan Black5Yutaka TakeHisashi ShimizuOno Shoji2:08.3
2018Rey de Oro4Christophe LemaireKazuo FujisawaU Carrot Farm1:56.8
2019Almond Eye4Christophe LemaireSakae KuniedaSilk Racing1:56.2
2020Almond Eye5Christophe LemaireSakae KuniedaSilk Racing1:57.8
2021Efforia3Takeshi YokoyamaYuichi ShikatoCarrot Farm1:57.9
2022Equinox3Christophe LemaireTetsuya KimuraSilk Racing1:57.5
2023Equinox4Christophe LemaireTetsuya KimuraSilk Racing1:55.2
2024Do Deuce5Yutaka TakeYasuo TomomichiKieffers Co. Ltd.1:57.3
2025Masquerade Ball3Christophe LemaireTakahisa TezukaShadai Race Horse Co. Ltd.1:58.6
  • Mejiro McQueen finished first in 1991 but was demoted to last place following a Stewards' Inquiry. @ The 2002 Autumn Tennō Shō was contested at Nakayama Racecourse, due to construction at Tokyo Racecourse.

Also Japanese record of flat racing for oldest horse winning first G1 race.

Earlier winners

Source:

  • 1937 – Happy Might
  • 1938 - Hisatomo
  • 1939 - Tetsumon
  • 1940 – Rocky Mor
  • 1941 - Estates
  • 1942 - Nipatois
  • 1943 - Kuri Hikari
  • 1944 - No race
  • 1945 - No race
  • 1946 - No race
  • 1947 - Toyo Ume
  • 1948 - Katsu Fuji
  • 1949 - Newford
  • 1950 - Yashima Daughter
  • 1951 - Hatakaze
  • 1952 - Track O
  • 1953 - Queen Narubi
  • 1954 - Opal Orchid
  • 1955 - Dainana Hoshu
  • 1956 - Midfarm
  • 1957 - Hakuchikara
  • 1958 - Cellulose
  • 1959 - Garnet
  • 1960 - Ote Mon
  • 1961 - Takamagahara
  • 1962 - Kurihide
  • 1963 - Ryu Forel
  • 1964 - Yamato Kyodai
  • 1965 - Shinzan
  • 1966 - Korehide
  • 1967 - Kabuto Ciro
  • 1968 - Knit Eight
  • 1969 - Mejiro Taiyo
  • 1970 - Mejiro Asama
  • 1971 - Tomei
  • 1972 - Yamanin Wave
  • 1973 - Tani no Chikara
  • 1974 - Kami no Tesio
  • 1975 - Fujino Parthia
  • 1976 - Eyeful
  • 1977 - Hokuto Boy
  • 1978 - Tenmei
  • 1979 - Three Giants
  • 1980 - Pretty Cast
  • 1981 - Hoyo Boy
  • 1982 - Mejiro Titan
  • 1983 - Kyoei Promise
  • 1984 - Mr. C. B.
  • 1985 - Gallop Dyna
  • 1986 - Sakura Yutaka O
  • 1987 - Nippo Teio
  • 1988 - Tamamo Cross
  • 1989 - Super Creek

Multiple winners

Prior to 1980, a horse winning a Tennō Shō race was not allowed to participate in future editions of the race but this ban was lifted in 1981. Only two horses won the prize three times:

  • Kitasan Black (2016 Spring, 2017 Spring and Autumn)
  • T. M. Opera O (2000 Spring and Autumn, 2001 Spring)

Apart from Kitasan Black and T. M. Opera O, four horses to date have won consecutive runnings, either by winning both the Spring and Autumn races in the same year or by winning the Autumn race, and following year's Spring race.

  • Tamamo Cross (1988 Spring, Autumn)
  • Super Creek (1989 Autumn, 1990 Spring)
  • Special Week (1999 Spring, Autumn)
  • Meisho Samson (2007 Spring and Autumn)

Five horses have won two non-consecutive runnings.

  • Mejiro McQueen (1991, 1992 Spring, finished 1st in 1991 Autumn but demoted to last)
  • Rice Shower (1993, 1995 Spring)
  • Symboli Kris S (2002, 2003 Autumn)
  • Fenomeno (2013, 2014 Spring)
  • Fierement (2019, 2020 Spring)
  • Almond Eye (2019, 2020 Autumn)
  • Equinox (2022, 2023 Autumn)

References

Spring

  • Netkeiba:

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  • Racing Post:

    • , , , , , , , , ,
    • , , , , , , , , ,
    • , , , , , , , , ,

Autumn

  • Netkeiba:

    • , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Racing Post:

    • , , , , , , , , ,
    • , , , , , , , , ,
    • , , , , , , , , ,

References

  1. "2011.10.25 Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) - Preview - News - Horse Racing in Japan". Japanracing.jp.
  2. "平成２９年度競馬番組等について". [[Japan Racing Association]].
  3. "Results from the 7.40 race at KYOTO (JPN) - 30 April 2006". Racing Post.
  4. (3 May 2006). "Drought ends with a week's free vision - Horseracing - Sport". smh.com.au.
  5. "第109回 天皇賞（春）（ＧＩ）". Japan Racing Association.
  6. (19 October 2020). "令和３年度の重賞競走の主な変更点について". 日本中央競馬会.
  7. [http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000333040/ JBIS Japan Bloodstock Information System (Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association)]
  8. [http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000000175/ JBIS Japan Bloodstock Information System (Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association)]
  9. [http://www.horsenavi.com/html/homepage/familytb/ftb_E1.html Family Tables of Racinghorses Vol.IV], Edited by Thoroughbred Pedigree Center / In collaboration with France Galop,Published by Japan Racing Association and The Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association,2003
  10. According to [[Romanization of Japanese]],Shîmâ(pronounced as 'seemer').
  11. [http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000005310/ JBIS Japan Bloodstock Information System (Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association)]
  12. [http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000005199/ JBIS Japan Bloodstock Information System (Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association)]
  13. [http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000006951/ JBIS Japan Bloodstock Information System (Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association)]
  14. [http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000030382/ JBIS Japan Bloodstock Information System (Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association)]
  15. "同一年度に本会が定める競走に優勝した馬に対する褒賞金交付基準". [[Japan Racing Association]].
  16. (29 October 2023). ""Could not believe the finish time" Equinox in record-setting G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) {{!}} Horse Racing News". NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd.
  17. "Tennō Shō".
  18. "Past Winners".
  19. [http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000333055/ JBIS Japan Bloodstock Information System (Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association)]
  20. [http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000001310/ JBIS Japan Bloodstock Information System (Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association)]
  21. [http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000003332/ JBIS Japan Bloodstock Information System (Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association)]
  22. "天皇賞(春)".
  23. "Tennō Shō (Spring)".
  24. "天皇賞(秋)".
  25. "Tennō Shō (Autumn)".
Wikipedia Source

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