The anticipation builds as the draw results for the 2024 Arima Kinen race have been unveiled, marking one of the most significant events on the Japanese horse racing calendar. This year’s draw took place on December 19, 2024, at the prestigious Shinagawa Prince Hotel, where both fans and horse connections gathered to learn the starting positions for this eagerly awaited race.
At 17:00, the draw commenced, highlighting the importance of starting positions at the Nakayama Racecourse, where the Arima Kinen, often labeled as the grand final of the year, takes place. This race allows horses aged three and older to compete for one of the biggest titles, and the draw featured high-profile horses who have caught the attention of the racing community.
Trainer Tomonari was the first to express his thoughts as his horse Dou Deuce was drawn to start from 1枠2番. He stated, "I honestly wanted to draw from more outside," indicating his desire for a more advantageous starting position. Meanwhile, Danon Desail, last year’s Derby winner, pulled the coveted 1枠1番 position, with jockey Nori Hiroshi noting, "I’m glad to be next to Yutaka," referring to the esteemed jockey Yutaka Take.
The excitement continued as the 13th draw yielded Regaleira, who landed at 4枠8番, and trainer Kimura's optimistic outlook was clear as he remarked, "Regardless of the slot, I feel lucky" after securing what he called his lucky number. Each trainer took turns expressing their sentiments about the draw, crafting a narrative rich with hope and anticipation.
High-profile entries include the two-time G1 winner Stunning Rose, who settled at 7枠13番. Trainer Takano felt confident, stating, "This is the best condition we’ve had this year." He believed his horse was well-prepared to tackle the notoriously tough competition.
On the other hand, there were feelings of trepidation when the draw culminated with Shafriyar selected for the challenging 8枠16番. Trainer Fujihara, expressing his disappointment said, "Getting the outside slot is unfortunate, but we’re optimistic," rallying behind his horse's inherent abilities.
The Arima Kinen has become synonymous with thrilling narratives and high-stakes competition. This year's race commands attention, especially considering its combination of history and prestige. Known for its fan voting system determining which horses will compete, the Arima Kinen is renowned for its inclusivity of diverse racing competitors including both local and international entries.
Last year, the dynamic covered on this race led to record-breaking betting sales, and predictions are already swirling around this year's anticipated totals. Historically, horses drawn within the first four slots have outshone their competitors. With this year’s draw illustrating how many favorites will run from strong inside positions, experts suggest viewers may see exciting strategy plays leading up to the race.
Fans are gearing up to witness not only the grand competition among seasoned contenders but also the promise of younger entrants eager to test their skills against established champions. The race will begin at 15:40 on December 22, 2024, and spectators await the thrill of seeing whether this year's favorites can deliver on their anticipated performances.
With decisions made under the tension of the draw, now it’s about strategy as the teams fine-tune their preparations leading up to the main event. With excellent horse specimens like Dou Deuce, Danon Desail, and Blows the Horn slated for entrance, jockeys and trainers have much to discuss as they ready their contenders for the rigor of racing over 2500 meters of turf.
This year’s excitement surrounds not just the competition but also the potential for stories to emerge from the race, from celebrated veterans to fresh stars hoping to etch their names alongside racing legends. Fans from all corners of Japan and abroad are eager to lock their attention on this year’s festive occasion, which promises to be steeped not only in tradition and history but also unbridled excitement, as the horses are prepared to charge out of the gates on race day.
