INTERVIEW | JRA President & CEO Masayoshi Yoshida on the Vibrant Future of Horse Racing Sponsored

The 40th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) is set to take place in Sapporo from August 27 to September 1. Returning to Japan for the first time since 2008, the ARC is a major event on the international horse racing calendar. Ahead of the event, Masayoshi Yoshida, President and CEO of the Japan Racing Association (JRA), sat down with JAPAN Forward for an interview on July 19. 

Organized by the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), this year JRA is the host of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) biennial congregation. The 2024 conference theme is "Be Connected, Stride Together." It highlights the commitment to enhancing horse racing as a form of sports entertainment in today's rapidly evolving world. The conference aims to spark meaningful discussions that pave the way for a vibrant and sustainable future for the sport.

President and CEO of JRA Yoshida explains how the organization spearheads this and other horse racing initiatives in Japan. Moreover, the ARC was first held in 1960 at Japan and Burma's (now Myanmar) initiative. Our discussion focused on the significance of this year's theme and the strategic choice of Sapporo as the host city. 

Excerpts follow.

First of 2 parts

Hosting the ARC

Why did Japan propose to host the Asian Racing Conference for the first time in 16 years?

Japan first hosted the ARC in 1960, alongside Burma (now Myanmar), to meet and foster goodwill and mutual understanding among Asian horse racing. 

This year, we aim to promote sustainability and address ongoing issues in horse racing from both Asian and global perspectives. In that context, [the event] acknowledges both the post-COVID era and the conference's 40th iteration.

The past four conferences in Japan were all in Tokyo. What is the significance of hosting this event in Sapporo, Hokkaido for the first time?

Horse racing deeply values the thoroughbred lifecycle of breeding, breaking and pre-training, training, racing and then returning to breeding. Breeding is the foundation for supporting exciting and world-class horse racing.

Hokkaido is the epicenter of Japan's thoroughbred breeding. It is home to 98% of the approximately 8,000 thoroughbred foals bred annually in Japan. And of Japan's 270 breeding stallions, 244 are in Hokkaido. 

Hosting the conference there underscores the region's pivotal role in supporting all stages of horse racing in Japan. Meanwhile, visitors can see various aspects of the industry at the epicenter of Japan's thoroughbred breeding and horse racing industry.

Hokkaido in the Horse Racing Ecosystem

In your previous JAPAN Forward interview, you commented on Sapporo's role in horse racing, saying Sapporo 'symbolizes the cycle where horses, after their racing careers, return to breeding.' You also added, 'Japan is likely unique in having such close communication between breeders and racing authorities.'

Communication between racing authorities and breeders is fairly common globally. However, the JRA and the National Association of Racing (NAR), the authority for horse racing organized by local municipalities, uniquely aim to enhance racehorse development through a part of revenue from betting turnover. We frequently engage with breeders and adapt our support to meet their specific needs.

This level of detailed dialogue, taking into account the particular circumstances in different countries, is quite rare internationally. The Japanese model, where private farms reinvest funds generated from betting turnover back into the industry, stands out as particularly distinctive.

The 2024 ARC

Who is expected to attend this conference, and from where?

We expect attendance from top officials of racing authorities worldwide. The conference will host about 600 international and 200 domestic individuals from the industry. That brings the total to approximately 800 official participants.

You mentioned that the first Asian Racing Conference was held in 1960. How has the global standing of Japanese horse racing changed since then?

It is the customers who effectively underpin the cycle from breeding to racing and back. Effective reinvesting of betting turnover from customers into breeding has strengthened Japanese horse racing. The strategy has allowed the purchase of top-quality stallions and broodmares, increased prize money, and encouraged more racehorse ownership. I believe that this is how Japanese horses have become competitive internationally.

In January, Equinox was named the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse, and the Japan Cup (G1) was recognized as the World's Best Horse Race. It was the first time a Japanese race had achieved this honor. Additionally, three other Japanese (G1) races also ranked in the global top 10 ー the Takarazuka Kinen, Tenno Sho (Autumn), and Arima Kinen. I believe the fact that four Japanese Grade 1 races have been selected for the world's top ten is a testament to the high ability of Japanese horses.

Global Spotlight on Japanese Horses

What has been the driving force behind Japanese horse racing's rise to global prominence?

Our effort to rise in the global racing scene can be traced back to the 1970s. That is when we began advocating elevating the level of Japanese horses capable of competing on the world stage. 

This initiative led to the creation of the Japan Cup in 1981 and our inclusion in the International Cataloguing Standards Part I in 2007. I believe we have come this far thanks to the tireless efforts of all horsemen, including owners, breeders, and trainers. 

Two key factors have been pivotal. First, our commitment to integrity has fostered trust with our customers, which has led to increased betting turnover. 

Second, the media's role has been crucial. By telling many moving stories of thoroughbred racing and accurately conveying information, it has helped to dispel the perception that horse racing is simply gambling. Moreover, it has helped to broaden horse racing's appeal as a multifaceted sport, attracting new fans. From what I can see, Japanese media's horse racing coverage is unparalleled globally.

With Japanese horse racing now gaining global attention, what aspects do you intend to showcase at the upcoming Sapporo event?

In Sapporo, we aim to provide a deep dive into our horse breeding, breaking, and pre-training, showcasing Japanese racehorses' high quality and excellence. We will highlight the industry's cyclical nature, where revenue from betting turnover is reinvested into enhancing the sport. It's a system that maintains continuous support from our customers and related parties. By promoting these elements, we hope to contribute to the growth of the horse racing industry worldwide.

Additionally, on June 26, the NAR became an affiliate member of the Asian Racing Federation. Their representative is scheduled to speak at the conference business session "Developments: Big Changes Across the ARF Footprint."

This year, a triple crown series for 3-year-old dirt races was established, aiming for future international grading. Broadcasting these developments globally could accelerate the internationalization of Japanese horse racing at every level and lead to more significant achievements, benefiting our breeding regions.

Continues in Part 2 INTERVIEW | JRA President & CEO Masayoshi Yoshida Puts a Focus on the Future Generation at the Asian Racing Conference

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(Read the interview in Japanese.)

Author: Manabu Suzuki, Writer, Sankei Sports and JAPAN Forward