American Jockey Club Cup

The American Jockey Club Cup is a Grade II Thoroughbred flat race in Japan open to horses aged four years and older. Additional weight penalties apply based on recent graded stakes performances. The first-place prize in 2026 was ¥62 million. The trophy is officially known as the American Jockey Club Prize. == History ==

The American Jockey Club Cup was inaugurated on January 5, 1960, at Nakayama Racecourse as a 2,000-meter handicap race for horses aged five and older, created to commemorate the post–World War II friendship between Japan and the United States, following a gift of the winner’s cup from the New York Jockey Club. In 1961, the race was restructured: it swapped scheduling dates with the Kinpai (now the Nakayama Kimpai), changed from handicap to weight-for-age conditions, and extended to 2,600 meters. In 1984, coinciding with the introduction of Japan’s official grading system, the race was designated Grade II and permanently settled at Nakayama over 2,200 meters, though that year’s edition was exceptionally run on dirt (1,800m) due to heavy snowfall. The race gradually opened to international participation: foreign-bred horses were allowed from 1972, foreign-trained horses from 2006, and regional (NAR) horses from 2020. Following Japan’s elevation to “Part I” status in the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the race received international Grade II recognition in 2009. Over the years, the field size has gradually increased, expanding from 16 to 18 runners. == Past winners ==