Kyoto Racecourse is the venue for one of Japan’s most prestigious long distance races on Sunday, April 30, the Tenno Sho (Spring), or Emperor’s Cup as it is known in English.

The countdown to one of the biggest days on the Japanese racing calendar is almost done with the 61st Arima Kinen to be run on Christmas Day at Nakayama racecourse near Tokyo.

This afternoon’s 36th running of the time honoured Japan Cup at Fuchi racecourse in Tokyo has assembled an outstanding line up of local and international stayers.

The past 35 running of the Japan Cup have been won by 21 Japanese horses and the locals are favoured to continue their dominanve over three foreign challengers in Sunday’s premier international contest in Tokyo.

Last year’s Japanese St Leger winner Kitasan Black stamped himself as a stayer of the highest quality when he won the prestigious G1 Tenno Sho Spring in Kyoto on Sunday.