Will JRA Add More Dirt G1 Races? Explaining the 2024 Reforms and the New 3-Year-Old Dirt Triple Crown

November 3, 2025

In recent years, the JRA and local governments have collaborated on a major reform of Japan’s dirt racing system. The creation of the “3-Year-Old Dirt Triple Crown,” launched in 2024, is a significant turning point. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the reforms, including the background, objectives, current status of the Triple Crown, changes to the older horse divisions, and the future outlook for internationalization and a potential “Japan Cup Dirt” revival.

Key Takeaways

• ✔Starting in 2024, the “3-Year-Old Dirt Triple Crown” was established through a collaboration between the JRA and NAR, open to horses from both central and regional racing.
• ✔The Haneda Hai and Tokyo Derby were upgraded to JpnI status, while the Japan Dirt Derby was renamed the “Japan Dirt Classic” and rescheduled.
• ✔For older horses, the system has been structured from sprint to middle distances, with races like the Sakitama Hai being upgraded to JpnI.
• ✔There is a long-term plan to phase out the “Jpn” grade designation and unify it with the international “G” grading system.
• ✔While there is little direct discussion of a “Japan Cup Dirt” revival, the overall value of dirt racing is steadily increasing.

An Overview of the Dirt Racing Reforms by JRA and NAR

In recent years, a major movement has been underway in Japanese horse racing to enhance the value of the dirt racing circuit. Led by the JRA (Japan Racing Association) and NAR (National Association of Racing), a long-term plan titled “Comprehensive Restructuring of the All-Japan Dirt Racing System” was announced in November 2022 and is being implemented in stages.

Background and Objectives: “Making Turf and Dirt the Two Wheels of Japanese Racing”

Historically, Japanese racing has been centered on turf races, and the dirt circuit lacked a unified, nationwide competition structure. This made it difficult for horses to follow a clear career path based on their aptitude and caused dirt racing to lag behind turf racing in international prestige.

These reforms, led by regional racing authorities in partnership with the JRA, fundamentally overhaul the dirt racing system. The shared goal is to “develop turf and dirt as the two wheels of Japanese racing,” aiming to elevate the quality and value of all graded dirt races by offering more compelling competitions.

Key Components of the Long-Term Plan

The long-term plan began with 2-year-old races in 2023, with the new system for 3-year-olds and older horses introduced in 2024. The main components include:

• Establishment of the 3-Year-Old Dirt Triple Crown series.
• Development of prep and trial races leading up to the Triple Crown.
• Restructuring of the 2 and 3-year-old dirt sprint divisions.
• Expansion of the older horse divisions (sprint, mile, middle-distance, and fillies/mares).
• Promotion of the internationalization of graded dirt races.

The 3-Year-Old Dirt Triple Crown: Launch and Current Status

The most notable aspect of these reforms is the creation of the “3-Year-Old Dirt Triple Crown,” which transcends the boundaries between central and regional racing to determine the year’s top 3-year-old dirt horse. This has established a clear series of target races from spring to autumn.

Triple Crown Races and Prize Money

The 3-Year-Old Dirt Triple Crown consists of three JpnI races, all held at Ohi Racecourse. A bonus of 80 million yen is awarded to any horse that sweeps all three races.

*The Japan Dirt Classic was renamed from the former Japan Dirt Derby and its date was changed.

2024 & 2025 Results and Evaluation

In its inaugural year, 2024, the series drew significant attention with the participation of JRA-trained horses. The first leg, the Haneda Hai, was a major commercial success, with betting turnover increasing by 145.2% compared to the previous year. The series produced three different winners: Amante Bianco (Haneda Hai), Ramjet (Tokyo Derby), and Forever Young (Japan Dirt Classic).

In 2025, Natural Rise won the first two legs, the Haneda Hai and Tokyo Derby, putting him on the verge of becoming the first-ever Triple Crown winner. However, he was defeated by Narukami in the Japan Dirt Classic, and the first Triple Crown champion remains elusive. The series has been highly praised by racing officials and the media as the “new era of dirt racing,” providing fans with exciting new storylines.

What About JRA’s Dirt G1s? Changes for Older Horses

These reforms have had a significant impact not only on the 3-year-old division but also on the older horse dirt circuit. The value of all graded dirt races, including those hosted by the JRA and regional tracks, is being re-evaluated.

Upgrades and Reviews of Existing Graded Dirt Races

For older horses, the Sakitama Hai (Urawa, 1400m) was upgraded to JpnI status in 2024, serving as a key target for sprinters in the first half of the year. This has helped clarify the championship race structure for each category throughout the year. Other existing races, such as the Kawasaki Kinen, have also been rescheduled.

Is a “Japan Cup Dirt” Revival Being Discussed?

The “Japan Cup Dirt,” once Japan’s premier dirt race, was moved to Chukyo Racecourse in 2014 and renamed the “Champions Cup” due to factors like a decline in foreign participation.

Some fans have called for the “revival” of the Japan Cup Dirt, hoping to restore the international flair of the Japan Cup weekend. However, as of November 2025, there is no official information from the JRA indicating that a revival is under serious consideration. The Champions Cup has inherited its legacy and is now firmly established as Japan’s top dirt race.

Major JRA Dirt G1s and the Rise of International Campaigns

The JRA’s two main Dirt G1 races are the February Stakes in the spring and the Champions Cup in the fall. In recent years, Japanese horses that have performed well in these races are increasingly challenging for the world’s richest prizes, such as the Saudi Cup, Dubai World Cup, and Breeders’ Cup Classic, achieving remarkable success.

Landmark victories, such as Ushba Tesoro’s win in the Dubai World Cup and Forever Young’s historic triumph as the first Japanese horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, have proven that Japanese dirt horses are world-class. This success abroad has created a positive feedback loop, further enhancing the value of the domestic dirt racing circuit.

Internationalization and the Future of Dirt Racing

This restructuring is not just about organizing the domestic system; it also includes a long-term vision to elevate Japanese dirt racing to a global standard.

From “Jpn” to “G”: The Goal of International Grade Unification

Currently, many graded dirt races held at regional tracks use the “Jpn” designation, which is considered a local grade internationally. The reforms aim to increase prize money and improve facilities for international horses, with the goal of phasing out the “Jpn” designation starting in 2028 and having all graded dirt races recognized with the international “G” grade.

Comparison with Major International Dirt Races

The major international dirt races that Japanese horses target offer staggering prize money. As Japan’s domestic dirt circuit becomes more structured, it is expected that even more Japanese horses will take on these challenges.

*Amounts vary based on exchange rates.

Frequently Asked Questions about the JRA Dirt Racing Reforms

Why are all three races of the 3-Year-Old Dirt Triple Crown held at Ohi Racecourse?

Historically, the Minami Kanto racing circuit has played a central role in Japan’s dirt racing scene. The decision to establish the new system at Ohi Racecourse, its main venue, is likely intended to build upon this legacy. While some fans have suggested rotating venues, similar to the JRA’s turf Triple Crown, the current plan is to keep the races at Ohi.What is the difference between the Japan Cup Dirt and the Champions Cup?

The main differences are the venue, name, and whether it is an international invitational race. The Japan Cup Dirt was an international invitational held first at Tokyo and later at Hanshin. Due to a decline in foreign participation, it was moved in 2014 to the left-handed Chukyo Racecourse, which is considered more suitable for international horses, and rebranded as the “Champions Cup” without the invitational status.Is it possible that the JRA will add more Dirt G1 races in the future?

As of now, the JRA has not officially announced any plans to create new Dirt G1 races. The current priority is to enhance the overall value and structure of the entire dirt graded stakes system in collaboration with regional racecourses. However, if these reforms are successful and the status of dirt racing rises, the creation of new G1 races could become a topic of discussion in the future.