1. Osaka Hai Latest News
2. Osaka Hai 2026 Entries Horse
3. Osaka Hai 2026 Notable runners
4. Osaka Hai race overview
5. Racecourse Feature
6. Osaka Hai Past Winners

Osaka Hai Latest News

Osaka Hai 2026 Entries Horse

2025 JAPANESE DERBY (G1) winner Croix du Nord, 2025 DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC (G1) winner Danon Decile and 2025 TAKARAZUKA KINEN (G1) winner Meisho Tabaru etc are scheduled to run.

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

Osaka Hai 2026 Notable runners

Croix du Nord

Croix du Nord has emerged as one of the standout colts of his generation in Japan. After making an immediate impact as a two-year-old, he established himself among the leading Classic prospects by capturing the Hopeful Stakes at the end of 2024.

He confirmed that status the following year when he won the Japanese Derby, securing his first Classic title and underlining both his class and his potential at the highest level.

Danon Decile

Danon Decile has developed into one of Japan’s leading middle-distance performers on turf. After making steady progress from his two-year-old season, he announced himself as a major Classic contender by winning the Keisei Hai in early 2024, then reached a new high when he captured the Japanese Derby later that spring.

He continued to compete at the top level thereafter, and in 2025 added further major victories in the American Jockey Club Cup and the Dubai Sheema Classic, underlining both his class and his international credentials.

Meisho Tabaru

Meisho Tabaru has developed into a high-class middle-distance performer on turf in Japan. After showing promise early in his career, he took a major step forward in 2024 when he won the Mainichi Hai and later added the Kobe Shimbun Hai, establishing himself as a colt with both speed and staying power.

He reached a new high the following year when he made the running to capture the Takarazuka Kinen for his first G1 title, underlining both his toughness and his ability at the highest level.

Osaka Hai race overview

The G1 Osaka Hai, organized by the Japan Racing Association (JRA), is a prominent international Grade 1 race. Eligible participants include racehorses aged four years and older, competing over a distance of 2000 meters on the turf at Hanshin Racecourse. This race is crucial in determining the champion of middle-distance turf racing for older horses in the spring season.

The event's history dates back to 1957, making it one of the more traditional races in Japan. It was renamed the "Sankei Osaka Hai" in 1964 and was elevated to its current status as an international Grade 1 race in 2017, adopting its present name at the same time. Winners of the Nakayama Kinen (G2) and the Kinko Sho (G2) from the same year are granted priority entry into the Osaka Cup. Additionally, regional horses registered in NAR that finish in the top two in these races are also given priority entry rights.

Racecourse Feature

Hanshin 2000m turf course : The race uses the inner track, covering slightly more than one full circuit. The start is located near the exit of the 4th corner in front of the main grandstand, with a distance of 325 meters to the 1st corner. A steep incline right after the start makes it challenging for the pace to increase rapidly. The curves between the 3rd and 4th corners are relatively gentle for an inner track. The final stretch measures 356.5 meters (when using the A course), providing a test of speed and stamina as horses make their final bid for victory.

Osaka Hai Past Winners

OSAKA HAI Feature

Latest information on the Osaka Hai (G1).