Arlington Million winner to earn automatic berth in Japan
Cup
The Japan Racing Association has announced that the winner of the 27th
edition of the Arlington Million (G1) on August 8 will receive an automatic
invitation to participate in the $5.6 million Japan Cup (Jpn-G1). The about 1
1/2-mile turf test will be contested for the 29th time on November 29 at Tokyo
Racecourse.
The Arlington Million is the only North American race to be selected for its
winner to receive an automatic berth to the prestigious event, joining such
international Group 1 fixtures as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. at
Ascot, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, the Grosser Preis von Baden
at Baden-Baden and the Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown.
“We are honored that the Japan Racing Association is offering the winner of
the Arlington Million an automatic invitation to the prestigious Japan Cup,
which further emphasizes Arlington’s commitment to the expansion of
international racing,” Arlington Park President Roy Arnold said. “We value
our long standing friendship with the JRA and our international exchange races
— the Arlington Cup (Jpn-G3) raced in Japan and the Hanshin Cup (G3) raced here
at Arlington every summer.
“The Million is North America’s premier turf race, and we trust this
opportunity will encourage the best horses in North America to make the trip to
the Far East and compete in the premier race in Asia.”
Inaugurated in 1981, the same year as the Japan Cup, the Arlington Million
was the first Thoroughbred horse race to offer a $1 million purse and has been
won over the years by such stalwarts as 1981 and 1984 Horse of the Year John
Henry; Hall of Famer Manila (1987); champion turf males Perrault (GB) (1982),
Steinlen (GB) (1989), Tight Spot (1991) and Paradise Creek (1994); and champion
turf female Estrapade (1986).
Golden Pheasant, the 1990 Arlington Million hero, traveled overseas to take
top honors in the 1991 Japan Cup, and he remains the only horse to win both
races. The Japan Racing Association planted a cherry tree in the Arlington
paddock area to commemorate the feat.