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An industry expert notes, “If you’re living in Japan and pick up a sports newspaper, three key disciplines come up. First is baseball, sumo wrestling is another, and the third is horse racing. Racing is ever-present, and thoroughbreds are beautiful animals. The challenge and passion are palpable, with the Arc as the ultimate goal in this long-running endeavor for more than 50 years. That explains fans in Japan are so attached.”

Annual Pilgrimage

Countless enthusiasts from Japan traveling the long distance plus additional viewers following live broadcasts, the season is here once again. Ever since the first entrant, Japan’s pioneer contender in Europe’s premier race, came in 11th in 1969, three dozen others sought victory in vain. On Sunday, another trio – this year’s candidates – aim to break the streak.

One standout case of unwavering effort in the face of painful and often bitter experience, there is little to match it in international sport. British followers could lament regarding their own drought, but the national team can claim a global title. In recent decades, the nation’s turf sport has developed as the richest and most successful internationally. All it has to show despite massive investment and countless journeys are numerous of increasingly agonising disappointments.

Close Calls

• One early contender was narrowly defeated by Montjeu after leading near the finish.
• The legendary Deep Impact, who drew tens of thousands, finished a close third in 2006 before being disqualified for banned medication.
• Nakayama Festa was just a head behind the winning horse.
• The 2012 favorite charged into a clear lead in the final stretch yet veered and was overtaken by Solemia.

Bad ground combined with misfortune, during the event, have both played a part to the winless streak. Horses accustomed to quick surfaces domestically come unstuck on the deep ground typically found during the Arc. An expert perspective thinks it has also been a gradual education. “For an owner and you win a Japanese Derby, often the thought is: ‘We can conquer Europe,’ but sometimes it’s not the case because it looks similar, the competition is distinct.

“Racing surfaces in Japan tend to be uniform and the Japanese horses are trained to become precision machines, abroad, you need an SUV, since the ground looks green and smooth in reality, it’s totally different. And that’s why the Japanese connections have researched extensively to bring horses which both run on smooth ground and greater resilience.

This Year's Hopefuls

It is certainly striking that the three Japanese challengers for this year’s Arc experienced a typically French preparation: time off in summer then a tune-up event. While not the largest squad ever sent overseas – a quartet two years ago were spread out in the lower positions – yet they possess notable depth.

So perhaps this will finally be the year allowing the pilgrims celebrate at last after years of loyalty to their equine heroes.

“Fundamentally, betting is restricted in Japan and there are only four permitted activities, including thoroughbred racing,” notes the expert. “Yet the governing body has succeeded of changing the image beyond wagering to a more diverse sport for general audiences, connecting fans to the events in a different way internationally.

“For local supporters, when we have star horses participating, of course people will travel, to share in the challenge. Victories in Hong Kong and other regions and most places where conditions align, and this is the box the final goal for decades.”