Takarazuka Kinen
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.jpg) 2022 Takarazuka Kinen winner Titleholder | |
| Class | Grade 1 |
|---|---|
| Location | Hanshin Racecourse, Takarazuka, Hyōgo, Japan |
| Inaugurated | June 26, 1960 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred |
| Website | japanracing.jp/ |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2200 meters (About 11 furlongs / 1+3⁄8 miles) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed (inner course) |
| Qualification | 3-y-o & Up, Thoroughbreds |
| Weight | 3-y-o 53 kg \ 4-y-o & up 58 kg Allowance : Fillies & Mares 2 kg |
| Purse | ¥ 648,000,000 (as of 2025)
|
| Bonuses | Winner of the following in the same year: Ōsaka Hai, Tennō Shō (Spring), Takarazuka Kinen[1] 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 Takarazuka Kinen (宝塚記念) is a Grade I flat horse race in Japan for Thoroughbreds aged three and over a distance of 2,200 metres (approximately 1+3⁄8 miles) at Hanshin Racecourse (阪神競馬場, Hanshin Keibajō) in late June. It is one of the two "All-Star" races in Japanese horse racing; the other being the Arima Kinen (the Grand Prix) held in late December.
The Takarazuka Kinen was first run in 1960 with a distance of 1,800 metres. From 1961 to 1965 the race was run over 2,000 metres and since 1966 it has been run over its present distance.
The race is run on the turf and is named after the city of Takarazuka, Hyōgo, the location of Hanshin Racecourse, which is the venue of the race.
As with the Arima Kinen, the majority of the runners in the field are selected by a vote from racing fans, while the remainder are determined by the amount of prize money won.
Speed record:
- 2:09.7 – Titleholder (2022)
Leading horses:
- 2 – Chrono Genesis (2020, 2021)
- 2 – Gold Ship (2013, 2014)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 5 – Yutaka Take (1989, 1993, 1997, 2006, 2025)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 4 – Bungo Takeda (1962, 1965, 1967, 1972)
Most wins by an owner:
- 4 – Sunday Racing (2009, 2012, 2020, 2021)
Winners since 1984
Earlier winners
- 1960 - Homare Hiro
- 1961 - Caesar
- 1962 - Kodama
- 1963 - Ryu Forel
- 1964 - Hikaru Pola
- 1965 - Shinzan
- 1966 - Eight Crown
- 1967 - Taiyo
- 1968 - Hikaru Takai
- 1969 - Date Horai
- 1970 - Speed Symboli
- 1971 - Mejiro Musashi
- 1972 - Shofu Midori
- 1973 - Hamano Parade
- 1974 - Haiseiko
- 1975 - Naoki
- 1976 - Fujino Parthia
- 1977 - Tosho Boy
- 1978 - Erimo George
- 1979 - Sakura Shori
- 1980 - Teru Tenryu
- 1981 - Katsu R
- 1982 - Monte Prince
- 1983 - Hagino Kamui O
Vote leaders since 2004
| Year | Leader | Age | Votes Received | Race Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004[2] | Lincoln | 4 | 60,865 | 3rd |
| 2005[3] | Zenno Rob Roy | 5 | 67,667 | 3rd |
| 2006[4] | Deep Impact | 4 | 89,864 | Winner |
| 2007[5] | Meisho Samson | 4 | 76,932 | 2nd |
| 2008[6] | Vodka | 4 | 75,594 | Not in race |
| 2009[7] | Vodka | 5 | 139,507 | Not in race |
| 2010[8] | Buena Vista | 4 | 92,024 | 2nd |
| 2011[9] | Buena Vista | 5 | 97,429 | 2nd |
| 2012[10] | Orfevre | 4 | 72,253 | Winner |
| 2013[11] | Orfevre | 5 | 70,519 | Not in race |
| 2014[12] | Gold Ship | 5 | 51,366 | Winner |
| 2015[13] | Gold Ship | 6 | 66,123 | 15th |
| 2016[14] | Kitasan Black | 4 | 82,121 | 3rd |
| 2017[15] | Kitasan Black | 5 | 101,621 | 9th |
| 2018[16] | Satono Diamond | 5 | 63,599 | 6th |
| 2019[17] | Almond Eye | 4 | 78,778 | Not in race |
| 2020[18] | Almond Eye | 5 | 111,842 | Not in race |
| 2021[19] | Chrono Genesis | 5 | 137,448 | Winner |
| 2022[20] | Titleholder | 4 | 191,394 | Winner |
| 2023[21] | Equinox | 4 | 216,379 | Winner |
| 2024[22] | Do Deuce | 5 | 238,367 | 6th |
| 2025[23] | Bellagio Opera | 5 | 228,950 | 2nd |
