Track Notes
Course Summary
Technical right-handed marathon course with a compressed 200m opening before an immediate turn. Runners complete more than one and a half laps, face six corners, and climb Nakayama’s steep hill twice. Stamina, Guts, and corner control are mandatory.
Fun Facts
• Symboli Rudolf dominated Nakayama in 1984, winning at three different distances across four different races: Yayoi Sho, Satsuki Sho, St Lite Kinen, and Arima Kinen.
• The “Old Hero,” Speed Symboli, is the oldest horse to win the Arima Kinen at eight years of age, adding to a very long career. Speed Symboli would sire Sweet Luna, the dam of Symboli Rudolf.
• Yoriyasu Arima, the second chairman of the JRA, inherited a troubled horse racing industry dealing with budget struggles and a difficult post-World War II national recovery. His actions as chairman led to many needed renovations for Nakayama Racecourse. Using his knowledge of sports and experience owning the pro baseball team Tokyo Senators, he drew inspiration from baseball's All-Star Game and created the Nakayama Grand Prix, an All-Star race that selected horses through achievements and fan votes. Unfortunately, 17 days after its incredible success, Arima passed away due to pneumonia. As a result, from the second race onward, it was renamed “Arima Kinen,” also known as “the XXth Grand Prix,” a year-end race honoring Arima's achievements.
• Yutaka Take holds the record as both the youngest jockey to win the Arima Kinen, at 21 years old with Oguri Cap, and the oldest jockey to win it, at 54 years old with Do Deuce.
• The “Old Hero,” Speed Symboli, is the oldest horse to win the Arima Kinen at eight years of age, adding to a very long career. Speed Symboli would sire Sweet Luna, the dam of Symboli Rudolf.
• Yoriyasu Arima, the second chairman of the JRA, inherited a troubled horse racing industry dealing with budget struggles and a difficult post-World War II national recovery. His actions as chairman led to many needed renovations for Nakayama Racecourse. Using his knowledge of sports and experience owning the pro baseball team Tokyo Senators, he drew inspiration from baseball's All-Star Game and created the Nakayama Grand Prix, an All-Star race that selected horses through achievements and fan votes. Unfortunately, 17 days after its incredible success, Arima passed away due to pneumonia. As a result, from the second race onward, it was renamed “Arima Kinen,” also known as “the XXth Grand Prix,” a year-end race honoring Arima's achievements.
• Yutaka Take holds the record as both the youngest jockey to win the Arima Kinen, at 21 years old with Oguri Cap, and the oldest jockey to win it, at 54 years old with Do Deuce.
