Kawasaki Kinen

The Kawasaki Kinen (Kawasaki Memorial) (川崎記念) is a Japanese thoroughbred horse race on dirt track for horses aged four years or older. It was graded as a domestic grade 1 race in 1998. It is held in early April, so it is the first (domestic) grade 1 race in Japanese horseracing season. Its name "Kawasaki" comes from that of the racecourse, Kawasaki Racecourse, which in turn is named after the city that it is situated in; Kawasaki city in Kanagawa prefecture.

This race was formerly regarded as a preparation race for the Dubai World Cup, along with the February Stakes. Although some past winners (such as and Vermilion) ran the Dubai World Cup after winning this race, only Ushba Tesoro won both the Kawasaki Kinen and the Dubai World Cup. But in 2024, the race schedule was moved from January to April, losing the race's status as a preparation race for the Dubai World Cup and February Stakes.

Records
Most successful horses (3 wins):
 * Countess Up – 1985, 1986, 1987
 * Hokko Tarumae – 2014, 2015, 2016

Other repeat winners (2 wins):
 * Ichi Kanto – 1958, 1959
 * Gold Spencer – 1980, 1981
 * Daring Grass – 1982, 1984
 * Hokuto Vega – 1996, 1997
 * Abukuma Poro – 1998, 1999
 * Vermilion – 2007, 2010
 * Chuwa Wizard – 2020, 2022

Earlier winners

 * 1951 - Ezo Tetsuzan
 * 1952 - Kiyofuji
 * 1953 - Ikaho dake
 * 1954 - Ichisachi Homare
 * 1955 - Asakuni
 * 1956 - Kane Eikan
 * 1957 - Sweetheart
 * 1958 - Ichi Kanto
 * 1959 - Ichi Kanto
 * 1960 - A Time
 * 1961 - Ichiasahide
 * 1962 - Asabue
 * 1963 - Sakimidori
 * 1964 - Galing
 * 1965 - Tetsuryu
 * 1966 - Eikozan
 * 1967 - Hello Time
 * 1968 - Marble Arch
 * 1969 - Ashiya Fuji
 * 1970 - Apo Speed
 * 1971 - Ryuto Kitsu
 * 1973 - Nero
 * 1974 - Golden Snap
 * 1975 - Maruichi Daio
 * 1976 - Hideno Arashi
 * 1977 - Plus One
 * 1978 - F.Chirin
 * 1979 - Tagawa Ace
 * 1980 - Gold Spencer
 * 1981 - Gold Spencer
 * 1982 - Daring Grass
 * 1983 - Kanesho Super
 * 1984 - Daring Grass
 * 1985 - Countess Up
 * 1986 - Countess Up
 * 1987 - Countess Up
 * 1988 - Tomihisa Dancer
 * 1989 - Aeroplane
 * 1990 - Rosita
 * 1991 - Daiko Galdan
 * 1992 - Toshin Eagle
 * 1993 - Hashiru Shogun
 * 1994 - Sakura High Speed
 * 1995 - Amazon Opera
 * 1996 - Hokuto Vega
 * 1997 - Hokuto Vega
 * 1998 - Abukuma Poro
 * 1999 - Abukuma Poro