Has A Japanese-Trained Horse Ever Won The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe?

With three big chances for Japan ahead of Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – we ask if a Japanese-trained horse has ever won Europe’s richest horse race?

Japan Are Yet To Win The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – But Have Gone Close Many Times

Horses trained in Japan are no strangers to running all over the world.

And they’ve had some decent success too, including winning the Dubai World Cup twice, with Ushba Tesoro (2023) and Victoire Pisa (2011).

Plus, Forever Young was a close third in the 2024 Kentucky Derby in the US and Deirdre become the first Japanese-trained horse in 19 years to win a Group One in the UK – when taking the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in 2019.

Their El Condor Pasa also won both Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan and Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in 1999 in France.

However, they are still to get their hands on the ‘big one’ in France – the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – despite going close several times.

The already mentioned El Condor Pasa started Japan’s love affair with the Arc, when finishing an agonising second in 1999 – getting mowed down in the Longchamp straight by Montjeu (watch below).

Since then Japan have been trying to win France’s most famous flat race – but, despite some more near-misses, are yet to take gold.

Japan Near Misses In Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

• El Condor Pasa (1999): Finished a close second to Montjeu
• Nakayama Festa (2010): Finished second to Workforce
• Orfevre (2012, 2013): Placed second in two consecutive years – to Solemia and Treve
• Deep Impact (2006): Finished third, but was later disqualified

The good news though is they are back for more in 2025 and with arguably their best chance yet of grabbing their first Arc win.

You can find out how they do, with the 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe also set to be shown on the ITV Racing schedule.

Japan Have THREE Big Chances To Win The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe For The First Time

See below the three 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runners for Japan.

BYZANTINE DREAM  🇯🇵

Oisin Murphy has been booked to ride Byzantine Dream, after riding him to win the Prix Foy (watch below) in early September at Longchamp.

Murphy is also no stranger to getting jocked up on a Japanese-trained horse -having steered home Deirdre in the 2019 G1 Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

In his last win, Byzantine Dream had last year’s Arc 4th Sosie 1/2 a length back in second and one of Aidan O’Brien’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runners Los Angeles in 4th and Arrow Eagle in 6th.

That Longchamp course experience is a huge positive and is still lightly-raced (10 runs) for his age so should have a lot more to come.

CROIX DU NORD 🇯🇵

The next Arc runner for Japan is Croix Du Nord, who won the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange at Longchamp (1m 2f) last time so will certainly have his supporters – beating a promising sort in Daryz (watch below).

That victory came on very soft ground but has also won on good-to-firm- meaning he handles most underfoot conditions and has also shown his class by winning the Japan Derby over 1m4f back in June.

This 3 year-old colt will also get the age allowance and is well-bred by leading Japanese sire Kitasan Black.

ALOHI ALII 🇯🇵

The last of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runners flying the flag for Japan is Alohi Alii.

Last seen winning the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville easily – beating the Brian Meehan-trained Rashabar with a fair bit to spare, 3 1/2 lengths.

That success came on soft ground and also over 1m2f – so will need to stay the longer Arc trip on Sunday.

However, certainly wasn’t stopping at the finish of that Deauville race and despite being the longest-priced of the Japan Arc runners – is still not without a chance.

Shin Emperor Could Only Manage 12th in the 2024 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 

12 months ago in 2024, Japan tried again to win the Arc – this time with Shin Emperor.

Having been sent off a 10/1 chance in the market, this Siyouni colt wasn’t unfancied – with many feeling he’d be their first Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Prior to his 2024 Arc run, he’d run a blinder to be third in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown – beaten only a length to the classy Economics.

However, he wasn’t handed the best of draws in 11 – as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe trends tell us 18 of the last 23 winners came from gates eight or lower.

He also swerved left when the stalls opened and never really recovered – eventually trailing in 12th of the 16 runners.

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2025 Race Details

📅Date: Sunday 5th October 2025
⌚Time: 3:05pm
🏇Racecourse: Longchamp
💰Winning Purse: €2,857,000
📺 TV: ITV Racing / Sky Racing

What Time Will The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Be Shown In Japan?

Tokyo is six hours ahead of Paris, which means Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will be shown at 22:00pm in Japan.

Which is not too bad for horse racing fans in the Far East wanting to witness a bit of horse racing history.