Race structure is arranged in a pyramid formation with GI (Grade 1) races at ■ GI Race Schedule the top. As well as turf and dirt races, flat or steeplechase races, and races at different distances, age and sex. Horses are entered in the type of race that Tokyo (Dirt) 1,600m Nakayama (Turf) 1,200m February 4yo&up best suits their disposition, and vie to be the very best in their respective 3yo&up classes. (Turf) 2,000m Chukyo (Turf) 1,200m October Shuka Sho GI, GII and GIII races are known March 3yo fillies Type of 4yo&up collectively as graded races. Kikuka Sho Kyoto (Turf) 3,000m GI (Japanese St. Leger) 3yo colts & fillies Open Class (1000 Guineas) Hanshin (Turf) 1,600m Race GII 3yo fillies Tokyo (Turf) 2,000m GIII (Autumn) April Nakayama (Turf) 4,250m 3yo&up 4yo&up Open Special Queen Elizabeth II Kyoto (Turf) 2,200m ●Race structure Up to ¥16 million (2000 Guineas) Nakayama (Turf) 2,000m Commemorative Cup 3yo&up fillies & mares 3yo colts & fillies November Races are divided into different grades according to the Conditions Up to ¥10 million Kyoto (Turf) 1,600m runners’ ages and the prize money offered. GI races are of Class 3yo&up Up to ¥5 million Kyoto (Turf) 3,200m the highest grade. A horse moves up one class each Tenno Sho (Spring) Maiden / Novice 4yo&up Tokyo (Turf) 2,400m time it wins a race. 3yo&up Tokyo (Turf) 1,600m NHK Mile Cup 3yo colts & fillies ●Classics Japan Cup Dirt Hanshin (Dirt) 1,800m May Tokyo (Turf) 1,600m 3yo&up Five races – the Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas), 4yo&up fillies & mares Japanese Derby and Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Hanshin (Turf) 1,600m Leger), all limited to three-year-olds, and the Oka Tokyo (Turf) 2,400m 2yo fillies Japanese Oaks 3yo fillies Sho (1000 Guineas) and Japanese Oaks, limited Nakayama (Turf) 1,600m to three-year-old fillies, are known as the Classic December Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes Japanese Derby Tokyo (Turf) 2,400m 2yo colts & fillies Races. They were originally modeled after the 3yo colts & fillies British racing system. Nakayama (Turf) 4,100m 3yo&up Tokyo (Turf) 1,600m 3yo&up Nakayama (Turf) 2,500m June 3yo&up Hanshin (Turf) 2,200m Japanese Derby 3yo&up

14 15