2025 Japan Cup: Contenders and Latest News | Masquerade Ball, Danon Decile, and Other Top Horses Gather

The Japan Cup (G1), a festival of horse racing, will be held on November 30, 2025, at Tokyo Racecourse. Top contenders from Japan and abroad, including Tenno Sho (Autumn) winner Masquerade Ball, Derby winner Danon Decile, and Europe’s top horse candidate Calandagan, have announced their participation. This article provides a detailed analysis of each horse’s status and key points based on the latest information from the past two weeks.

Key Points of This Article

• ✓Masquerade Ball, the 3-year-old winner of the 2025 Tenno Sho (Autumn), has officially confirmed entry into the Japan Cup.
• ✓2025 Japanese Derby winner Danon Decile will head straight to the Japan Cup after returning from an overseas campaign.
• ✓Calandagan, a candidate for Europe’s strongest active horse, has also announced participation, drawing global attention.
• ✓The Japan Cup will be held on November 30, 2025, at Tokyo Racecourse (Turf 2400m).

2025 Japan Cup Overview

The Japan Cup is an international G1 race that invites top-class racehorses from around the world. The overview for the 2025 event is as follows.

Top Contenders and Latest Updates

This year’s Japan Cup is expected to be a high-level competition, with star horses gathering from both Japan and abroad. Here is the latest information on three particularly noteworthy contenders.

Masquerade Ball (Tenno Sho – Autumn Winner)

The 3-year-old Masquerade Ball achieved his first G1 victory in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) on November 2, 2025. It was a brilliant win, avenging his 3rd place in the Satsuki Sho and 2nd place in the Japanese Derby. His entry into the Japan Cup was officially announced by Shadai Thoroughbred Club on November 5.

• Recent Performance: 1st in Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1). The fifth 3-year-old to win the race in the last three years.
• Next Scheduled Race: November 30, 2025, Japan Cup (G1).
• Current Status: Resting at Yamamoto Training Center in Miyagi Prefecture. Expected to officially enter if his condition remains good.
• Jockey: Ridden by Christophe Lemaire in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), achieving his third consecutive G1 win.

The jockey commented, “He has matured both mentally and physically this autumn,” raising expectations for further success.

Danon Decile (Japanese Derby Winner)

Danon Decile, the 2025 Japanese Derby winner, will head straight to the Japan Cup after returning from the Juddmonte International Stakes in August (where he finished 5th), without any other races in between. Trainer Shogo Yasuda announced this on September 14.

• Major Wins: 2024 Japanese Derby (G1), 2025 Dubai Sheema Classic (G1).
• Race Schedule: The Japan Cup was chosen as his first race back from his overseas campaign, considered a strategic decision with an eye on the following year.
• Current Status: Reported to be returning to Ritto Training Center in late October.

All eyes will be on whether he can prove his strength again on the same Tokyo Turf 2400m course as the Japanese Derby.

Calandagan (Europe’s Top Contender)

French powerhouse Calandagan won the Champion Stakes (G1) on October 18 and has set his sights on the Japan Cup for his next race. He has earned the provisional world number one rating and is attracting significant attention as a candidate for Europe’s strongest active horse in 2025.

• Major Wins: King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S (G1), Champion S (G1). Finished 2nd to Danon Decile in the Dubai Sheema Classic.
• Camp Comments: Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard expressed confidence, stating, “The Japan Cup is a major goal. The 2400m distance suits him well.”
• Key Point: Adaptation to Japan’s fast tracks will be key, but the camp has indicated they see no issues, raising hopes for a historic achievement.

A rematch with Danon Decile would be a race watched by horse racing fans all over the world.

Conclusion: Anticipation Builds for a Three-Way Showdown

The 2025 Japan Cup is highly likely to feature a spectacular lineup, including the leading 3-year-old Masquerade Ball, the established older horse Danon Decile, and the international challenger Calandagan. All eyes are on how these horses will perform on the grand stage as they proceed smoothly with their preparations.