Some 5,000 Japanese fans, with individual fan clubs for horses and riders, traveled to Longchamp in Paris for last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. A similar contingent is expected this weekend.
Japan's love affair with horse racing —
Some 5,000 Japanese fans, with individual fan clubs for horses and riders, traveled to Longchamp in Paris for last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. A similar contingent is expected this weekend.
BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images
Japan's enthusiasm for the sport is growing. Its biggest annual horse race, the Japan Cup, attracts thousands of fans -- on the whole much younger than those in Europe -- to Tokyo Racecourse in November, from early in the morning.
Japan's love affair with horse racing —
Japan's enthusiasm for the sport is growing. Its biggest annual horse race, the Japan Cup, attracts thousands of fans -- on the whole much younger than those in Europe -- to Tokyo Racecourse in November, from early in the morning.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images
Japan's most famous jockey is Yutaka Take, who has been likened to the David Beckham of his sport. Here the veteran is on board a golden replica of Oguri Cap, which won four Grade One races.
Japan's love affair with horse racing —
Japan's most famous jockey is Yutaka Take, who has been likened to the David Beckham of his sport. Here the veteran is on board a golden replica of Oguri Cap, which won four Grade One races.
YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images
One of the nation's most famous horses is Deep Impact (center), ridden by Take, which came within a whisker of winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2006 -- when Britain's Rail Link snatched the race honors.
Japan's love affair with horse racing —
One of the nation's most famous horses is Deep Impact (center), ridden by Take, which came within a whisker of winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2006 -- when Britain's Rail Link snatched the race honors.
BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images
Japan's best bet at Longchamp this year is Orfevre, which has competed there before and is among the favorites to win a race that has become an obsession for his country's punters.
Japan's love affair with horse racing —
Japan's best bet at Longchamp this year is Orfevre, which has competed there before and is among the favorites to win a race that has become an obsession for his country's punters.
FRED DUFOUR/AFP/GettyImages
Much of the improvement in Japanese racing is down to wholesale purchases of some of Europe's best horses, with a view to improving breeding programs. Teruya Yoshida, right, is one of the leading owners.
Japan's love affair with horse racing —
Much of the improvement in Japanese racing is down to wholesale purchases of some of Europe's best horses, with a view to improving breeding programs. Teruya Yoshida, right, is one of the leading owners.
MYCHELE DANIAU/AFP/Getty Images
Arguably the best known Japanese trainer is Yasuo Ikee, who looked after Deep Impact among others before he retired in 2011. His son, Yasutoshi, has taken over the family work.
Japan's love affair with horse racing —
Arguably the best known Japanese trainer is Yasuo Ikee, who looked after Deep Impact among others before he retired in 2011. His son, Yasutoshi, has taken over the family work.
JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images/file
British riders are increasingly heading over to Japan to make their mark. Three-time champion jockey Ryan Moore is among the foreigners to have raced in Japan in 2013.
Japan's love affair with horse racing —
British riders are increasingly heading over to Japan to make their mark. Three-time champion jockey Ryan Moore is among the foreigners to have raced in Japan in 2013.
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images