Kasamatsu Racecourse
Interactive map of Kasamatsu Racecourse 笠松競馬場 | |
| Location | Kasamatsu, Gifu, Japan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°22′19.8″N 136°46′3.1″E / 35.372167°N 136.767528°E |
| Owned by | Gifu Prefecture Racing Association |
| Date opened | 1935 |
| Capacity | 16,000 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred flat racing |
| Course type | Dirt |
| Official website | |
Kasamatsu Racecourse (笠松競馬場, Kasamatsu-keibajō) is a Japanese racecourse located in Kasamatsu, Hashima, Gifu, Japan. Operated by the Gifu Prefecture Racing Association under the National Association of Racing.[1] It was established in 1934 following the relocation of the Nakatsu Racecourse (中津競馬場, Nakatsu-keibajō) in Nakatsu, Oita.
Overview
Kasamatsu Racecourse is known as the place where Katsumi Ando—the first jockey to transfer from local to central horse racing—began his career, alongside Mitsuaki Ando and Yuichi Shibayama, who also later transferred. Moreover, it is widely known for producing many famous horses since the 1980s, such as Fate Northern, Oguri Cap, Max Fleet, Oguri Roman, Raiden Leader, Legend Hunter, and Love Michan. In 2004, it was given the nickname "Dream Stadium: the Home of Famous Horses and Famous Jockeys," which is used in various public relations campaigns.
Kasamatsu Racecourse is located on the bank of the Kiso River, within a 3-minute walk of Kasamatsu Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line.[2]
The stables are located quite a distance away from the racecourse. During training, the horses have to walk from Enjoji Stable (Enjoji, Kasamatsu) and Yakushiji Stable (Yakushiji, Ginan) to the track. In particular, there are some sections on the horse trail extending to Enjoji Stable—about 1.5 kilometers to the east—that intersect and pass through public roads, so security guards are in charge of ensuring safety during transport.
Previously, there were two pedestrian crossings on Gifu Prefectural Road Route 178 with traffic signals set at elevated heights so jockeys would not have to dismount (as of 2024, these signals were removed). However, several past incidents in which racehorses escaped onto public roads or were involved in traffic accidents have raised safety concerns. To prevent future accidents, there are plans to decommission Enjoji Stable, build a new stable in the parking lot on the west side of the racecourse, and expand Yakushiji Stable.
Course Overview
Dirt Course : Clockwise (right-handed)
Circumference : 1,100 meters
Width : 20 meters
Length of straight : 238 meters
Number of horses allowed : Up to 12 horses [a]
Distance : 800 meters · 1,400 meters · 1,580 meters · 1,800 meters · 1,900 meters · 2,500 meters
Due to the aforementioned stable relocation, the starting point for the 1,600 meters race was moved 20 meters forward, distance will be shorten to 1,580 meters since March 30, 2026. The 1,580 meters distance was previously used for a little over two years, from July 1974 to October 1976.[3] However, historical records from that era will not apply; instead, winning times will serve as temporary standards until March 2027, and official course records will be tracked starting in April 2027.
Notable races
| Month | Race Name | Distance | Age & Sex | Latest Winner [b] | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokai Region Grade 1 (SPI) | ||||||||||||
| February | Blue Ribbon Mile | 1,580 meters | Four-year-old & up mares |  A Shin Jolt (JPN) | ||||||||
| April | Hizannōsui Hai | 1,400 meters | Four-year-old & up | Jugemoon (JPN) | ||||||||
| May | Oguri Cap Kinen | 1,400 meters | Four-year-old & up | K's Reve (JPN) | ||||||||
| July | Gifu Seiryū Cup | 1,400 meters | Three-year-old | Bellagio Sonic (JPN) | ||||||||
| August | Kuroyuri Shō | 1,580 meters | Three-year-old & up | Manno Lightning (JPN) | ||||||||
| Gifu Kin Shō | 1,900 meters | Three-year-old | Sanyo Sfida (JPN) | |||||||||
| November | Love Michan Kinen | 1,580 meters | Two-year-old fillies | Koko Kyunkyun (JPN) | ||||||||
| Kasamatsu Grand Prix | 1,400 meters | Three-year-old & up | Stream (JPN) | |||||||||
| December | Raiden Leader Kinen | 1,400 meters | Two-year-old | Mimosa no Kisetsu (JPN) | ||||||||
| Tōkai Gold Cup | 2,500 meters | Three-year-old & up | History Maker (JPN) | |||||||||
| Tokai Region Grade 2 (SPII) | ||||||||||||
| January | Hakugin Sōha | 1,900 meters | Four-year-old & up | Dagr Force (JPN) | ||||||||
| March | Junior Glory | 1,400 meters | Three-year-old | Mimosa no Kisetsu (JPN) | ||||||||
| March Cup | 1,580 meters | Four-year-old & up | Gustar (JPN) | |||||||||
| July | Summer Cup | 1,400 meters | Three-year-old & up | Manno Lightning (JPN) | ||||||||
| October | Autumn Cup | 1,900 meters | Three-year-old & up | Sunrise Hope (JPN) | ||||||||
| Tokai Region Grade 3 (SPIII) | ||||||||||||
| February | Gold Junior | 1,580 meters | Three-year-old | Reversal Top (JPN) | ||||||||
| May | Queen Cup | 1,580 meters | Three-year-old fillies | River Street (JPN) | ||||||||
| June | Shinryoku Shō | 1,400 meters | Three-year-old | Earth Judge (JPN) | ||||||||
| Nadeshiko Sōha | 1,400 meters | Three-year-old & up fillies | Chuwa Spring (JPN) | |||||||||
| September | Bloom Cup | 1,800 meters | Three-year-old | Cash Blitz (JPN) | ||||||||
| October | Tōkai Crown | 1,400 meters | Three-year-old & up | A Shin Jolt (JPN) | ||||||||
| November | Legend Hunter Kinen | 1,900 meters | Three-year-old & up | Gold Gear (JPN) | ||||||||
References
- ↑ Previously, Kasamatsu Racecourse was the only local track limited to a maximum capacity of 10 horses. However, after the Japan Racing Association (JRA) donated a 12-horse starting gate and the display screen was upgraded, the first 12-horse race was held on September 11, 2019.
- ↑ Prior year winners are faded.
- ↑ "Racing by Local Governments (NAR) | Outline | Horse Racing in Japan". Horse Racing in Japan. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Kasamatsu | Racecourse (NAR) | Horse Racing in Japan". Horse Racing in Japan. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "約50年前の笠松競馬の1580m競走レコードタイムの調査". 福山にも競馬があった (in Japanese). February 26, 2026. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
