1. Japanese Derby Latest News
2. Japanese Derby 2025 Entries Horse
3. Japanese Derby 2025 Notable Runners
4. Japanese Derby race overview
5. Racecourse Feature
6. Japanese Derby Past Winners

Japanese Derby Latest News

Japanese Derby 2025 Entries Horse

2025 SATSUKI SHO (G1) winner Museum Mile, 2024 HOPEFUL STAKES (G1) winner Croix du Nord and 2025 KYODO NEWS HAI (G3) winner Masquerade Ball etc are scheduled to run.

＊Please check the entries, Field, result, and other data against JRA official data.

Japanese Derby 2025 Notable Runners

Museum Mile

Two races ago, he finished fourth in the G2 Yayoi Sho but then came back strong to win his first Grade 1 race—the Satsuki Sho—in impressive fashion.

Last year, he placed second to Admire Zoom in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes and shows great potential. He has a strong finishing kick, as demonstrated when he overtook Croix du Nord in the Satsuki Sho, but he can also take the lead early. With his flexible racing style, he will be aiming for the double crown.

Croix du Nord

He won the G1 Hopeful Stakes with three consecutive victories from his debut but suffered his first defeat in his most recent race, the G1 Satsuki Sho, where he was beaten by Museum Mile.

That said, despite the loss, he ran a solid race using conventional tactics, and with the upcoming change of venue to the Tokyo Racecourse, there is still a strong chance for a comeback.

Masquerade Ball

He finished a disappointing 11th behind Croix du Nord in last year’s Hopeful Stakes, but this year he has begun to show flashes of his potential, winning the G3 Kyodo News Hai and finishing third in his most recent start, the G1 Satsuki Sho.

His sire, Duramente, was a dual Colt's Classic winner in 2015, and now the G1 Japanese Derby title is on the line, with a rare father-son triumph within reach.

Japanese Derby race overview

The G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) is a horse race organized by the Japan Racing Association. It holds an international Grade 1 status and is known as the "Nippon Derby."

Established in 1932, it was modeled after the Epsom Derby in the UK and initially held at the Meguro Racecourse as a race limited to 4-year-old (now 3-year-old) horses. It serves as a contest to determine the best horse of its generation.

Positioned as the second title of the "JRA Triple Crown" following the G1 Satsuki Sho, it allows 3-year-old colts and fillies to compete, but geldings are not permitted. Winning this race is considered one of the highest honors coveted by participants in Japanese horse racing.

Racecourse Feature

Tokyo 2400m turf course : Tokyo Racecourse is a premier venue for JRA, hosting numerous major races. The starting point is at the midpoint of the straight in front of the grandstand, where the course is one lap around after passing the finish line once. The distance to the first corner is approximately 350m (A Course). The straight measures 525.9m. While races often feature a slow pace leading to a sprint finish, in higher-level conditions, overall ability is tested comprehensively.

Japanese Derby Past Winners

Japanese Derby Feature

Latest information on the Japanese Derby (G1).