The Horse Racing Hall of Fame is a Japanese horse racing memorial hall which was installed on September 2, 1985 at the JRA Horse Racing Museum, Fuchu, Tokyo. It was founded by Japan Racing Association to honor the achievements of race horses, jockeys and trainers. Race horses inducted into the Hall of Fame are called Kensho-ba (顕彰馬) while jockeys and trainer are called Kensho-sha (顕彰者) by the Japan Racing Association.

Race horse nomination

The selection of a race horse for the Hall of Fame is decided annually by a vote in June. It is voted on by members of the press. Racehorses are inducted into the Hall of Fame if they gather over three-quarters of the total vote. Voters can vote for race horses which: Since 2004, an additional rule was introduced: that race horses which retired less than a year or more than 20 years ago cannot be nominated. In that year only, an extra vote was held exclusively for horse which retired more than 20 years (where Takeshiba O was selected). • Almond Eye (アーモンドアイ 2023) • Contrail (コントレイル 2024) • Deep Impact (ディープインパクト 2008) • El Condor Pasa (エルコンドルパサー 2014) • Gentildonna (ジェンティルドンナ 2016) • Grand Marches (グランドマーチス 1985) • Haiseiko (ハイセイコー 1984) • Hakuchikara (ハクチカラ 1984) • Lord Kanaloa (ロードカナロア 2018) • King Kamehameha (キングカメハメハ 2024) • Kitasan Black (キタサンブラック 2020) • Kodama (コダマ 1990) • Kumohata (クモハタ 1984) • Kurifuji (クリフジ 1984) • Maruzensky (マルゼンスキー 1990) • Meiji Hikari (メイヂヒカリ 1990) • Mejiro McQueen (メジロマックイーン 1994) • Mejiro Ramonu (メジロラモーヌ 1987) • Mr. C.B. (ミスターシービー 1986) • Narita Brian (ナリタブライアン 1998) • Oguri Cap (オグリキャップ 1991) • Orfevre (オルフェーヴル 2015) • Seiyu (セイユウ 1985) • Shinzan (シンザン 1984) • Speed Symboli (スピードシンボリ 1990) • St Lite (セントライト 1984) • Symboli Rudolf (シンボリルドルフ 1987) • Taiki Shuttle (タイキシャトル 1999) • Takeshiba O (タケシバオー 2004) • Ten Point (テンポイント 1990) • T M Opera O (テイエムオペラオー 2004) • Tokai Teio (トウカイテイオー 1995) • Tokino Minoru (トキノミノル 1984) • (トキツカゼ 1984) • Tosa Midori (トサミドリ 1984) • Tosho Boy (トウショウボーイ 1984) • Vodka (ウオッカ 2011)

Criticism against the voting process

The voting process for race horse selection has been called in to question, including by some voters, in 2022 after no horses gained the required votes to be inducted in to the Hall of Fame, including Almond Eye despite winning 9 Grade 1 races in her career. While Almond Eye was ultimately inducted in 2023, during that same voting process Contrail was not selected by 1 less vote, and at least 3 votes were cast to Stay Gold, who was already ineligible due to the retirement rules; leading to more criticism against the voting process.

Jockeys

The jockeys who have shown remarkable activity as well as more than 1000 victories are inducted to hall of Fame. The selection was started in 2004.

Trainers

Trainers who have won more than 1000 races and who have won more than ten times at the eight biggest races: Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks), Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas), Tenno Sho (Spring and Autumn) and Arima Kinen, are inducted to hall of Fame. The selection was started in 2004. • Tomiyoshi Fujimoto (藤本冨良, 2004) • Kazuo Fujisawa (藤沢和雄,2022) • Yukio Inaba (稲葉幸夫, 2004) • Yuji Ito (伊藤雄二, 2014) • Kinzou Kubota (久保田金造, 2004) • Kichisaburou Matsuyama (松山吉三郎, 2004) • Yasuhisa Matsuyama (松山康久, 2014) • Hashiguchi Koujirou (橋口弘次郎, 2013) • Toshio Nihonyanagi (二本柳俊夫, 2004) • Tokichi Ogata (尾形藤吉, 2004) • Bungo Takeda (武田文吾, 2004)

Footnotes