Inaugurated 1960 Website japanracing.jp/ | Race type Thoroughbred Surface Turf | |
 | ||
Distance 2200 meters(About 11 furlongs / 1 ⁄8 miles) | ||
2016 takarazuka kinen international group 1
The Takarazuka Kinen (宝塚記念) is a Grade I flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 2,200 metres (approximately 1 3⁄8 miles) at Hanshin Racecourse (阪神競馬場) in late June. It is one of the two "All-Star" races in Japanese horse racing; the other is the Arima Kinen (the Grand Prix) in late December.
Contents
It 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 prizemoney won.