The JRA Award (JRA賞) is given annually since 1987 by the Japan Racing Association (JRA) to the outstanding horses and people in Japanese Thoroughbred horse racing. The awards originally started as the Keishū Sha Awards (啓衆社賞) in 1954 and since 1972 the Yūshun Awards (優駿賞).
The most prestigious award for horses is JRA Award for Horse of the Year.
The equivalent in Australia is the Australian Thoroughbred racing awards, in Canada the Sovereign Awards, in the United States the Eclipse Awards, and in Europe, the Cartier Racing Awards.
Current awards:
JRA Award for Horse of the YearJRA Award for Best Two-Year-Old ColtJRA Award for Best Two-Year-Old FillyJRA Award for Best Three-Year-Old ColtJRA Award for Best Three-Year-Old FillyJRA Award for Best Older Male HorseJRA Award for Best Older Filly or MareJRA Award for Best Sprinter or MilerJRA Award for Best Dirt HorseJRA Award for Best Steeplechase HorseJRA Award for Best Trainer (races won)JRA Award for Best Trainer (winning average)JRA Award for Best Trainer (money earned)JRA Award for Best trainer (training technique)JRA Award for Best Jockey (races won)JRA Award for Best Jockey (winning average)JRA Award for Best Jockey (money earned)JRA Award for Best Steeplechase JockeyJRA Award for Best Jockey (newcomer)JRA Grand Prize JockeyMost Valuable JockeyJRA Special AwardJRA Equine Cultural AwardJRA Equine Cultural Award of MeritThe JRA Grand Prize Jockey and JRA Special Award are not regularly given out, as they will only be given if a horse/jockey is sufficiently deserving of the award.
Retired Awards:
JRA Award for Best Horse By Home-bred SireJRA Award for Best Anglo-Arab Horse