While horse racing faces challenges in the U.S., including track closures and competition from legalized sports betting, Japan is emerging as a powerhouse in the sport through significant investments in breeding, training, and racing. Historically focused on turf racing, Japan has shifted attention to dirt-track horses over the past decade, aiming for success in prestigious international events like the Kentucky Derby. With strong contenders like Danon Bourbon and Wonder Dean, and a legacy boosted by influential sires such as Sunday Silence and American Pharoah, Japan is steadily closing the gap in elite global competition.

Japanese racing officials emphasize a long-term, strategic approach that incorporates learning from international techniques and investing across all facets of the industry—from breeding to training to racing. This comprehensive effort has elevated Japan’s thoroughbred quality and increased domestic interest in major races like the Kentucky Derby, which now garners significant attention and betting activity in Japan. The country’s growing presence at top-level events reflects a deliberate ambition to reshape horse racing history and secure a lasting place among the sport’s elite.