Close but no cigar as Japanese-bred Orfevre (right) ridden by Christophe Soumillon is pipped at the post by Solemia in the 2012 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. Orfevre was Japan's great hope last year too but once again finished second. Can Japan finally land their first Arc in Sunday's race?
So near, yet so far —
Close but no cigar as Japanese-bred Orfevre (right) ridden by Christophe Soumillon is pipped at the post by Solemia in the 2012 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. Orfevre was Japan's great hope last year too but once again finished second. Can Japan finally land their first Arc in Sunday's race?
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images/file
Last year's result was a huge disappointment to Japanese racing fans, seeking a first win in what is now the world's richest turf race. But it reconfirmed how strong the challenge from the Far East has become -- Japan has fielded three runners-up in the past four seasons.
Closing in on the Arc crown —
Last year's result was a huge disappointment to Japanese racing fans, seeking a first win in what is now the world's richest turf race. But it reconfirmed how strong the challenge from the Far East has become -- Japan has fielded three runners-up in the past four seasons.
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This year, three horses will challenge in the famous mile-and-a-half race in Paris -- Gold Ship, Harp Star and the highly-rated Just A Way (pictured). The five-year-old will be fancied by many after storming to victory in Dubai Duty Free last March, but some question his ability to last the distance.
Can Just A Way find a path to victory? —
This year, three horses will challenge in the famous mile-and-a-half race in Paris -- Gold Ship, Harp Star and the highly-rated Just A Way (pictured). The five-year-old will be fancied by many after storming to victory in Dubai Duty Free last March, but some question his ability to last the distance.
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Nestling near the banks of the Seine in the western suburbs of Paris, Longchamp has played host to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe since 1920.
Glorious Parisian setting —
Nestling near the banks of the Seine in the western suburbs of Paris, Longchamp has played host to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe since 1920.
LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty Images/file
It attracts not only the finest flat racers in the world but also some A-listers from the world of film, sport and entertainment.
Lush turf and glamorous guests —
It attracts not only the finest flat racers in the world but also some A-listers from the world of film, sport and entertainment.
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El Condor Pasa (left) was the horse that ignited Japan's passion for the Arc when he finished a close second to French thoroughbred Montjeu in the 1999 race. Nakayama Festa repeated the effort in 2010.
Japan's first glorious failure —
El Condor Pasa (left) was the horse that ignited Japan's passion for the Arc when he finished a close second to French thoroughbred Montjeu in the 1999 race. Nakayama Festa repeated the effort in 2010.
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Both Deep Impact and jockey Yutaka Take are legends of Japanese horse racing. The stallion raced to third in the 2006 Arc before later being disqualified for testing positive for a banned substance used to treat respiratory problems. Take is credited with helping popularize horse racing during the 1980s and is a superstar in Japan. He has also blazed a trail for his younger counterparts. "Handsome young jockeys are kind of like rock stars and ladies come to the racetrack not for the racing but to see their favorite jockey," says Naohiro Goda, a leading Japanese racing pundit.
Heroes both —
Both Deep Impact and jockey Yutaka Take are legends of Japanese horse racing. The stallion raced to third in the 2006 Arc before later being disqualified for testing positive for a banned substance used to treat respiratory problems. Take is credited with helping popularize horse racing during the 1980s and is a superstar in Japan. He has also blazed a trail for his younger counterparts. "Handsome young jockeys are kind of like rock stars and ladies come to the racetrack not for the racing but to see their favorite jockey," says Naohiro Goda, a leading Japanese racing pundit.
BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images/file
Japan's love affair with horses shows no sign of slowing down. This year's Arc will be shown live on TV in the early hours of Monday morning in Japan, attracting millions of viewers, Goda told CNN.
A deep affection —
Japan's love affair with horses shows no sign of slowing down. This year's Arc will be shown live on TV in the early hours of Monday morning in Japan, attracting millions of viewers, Goda told CNN.
BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images/file