Oka Sho

The Oka Sho (桜花賞) is a Japanese Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan. The race is restricted to three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies and is run over a distance of 1,600 metres (approximately 1 mile) at Hanshin Racecourse in Takarazuka, Hyōgo. Run in early April, it is the traditional start to the annual classic races for three-year-olds in Japan.

The Oka Sho was first contested in 1939, and is the Japanese equivalent of the English 1,000 Guineas.

The race was run at Nakayama Racecourse until 1944 when it was run at Tokyo Racecourse. After a two-year hiatus the Oka Sho was staged at Kyoto Racecourse from 1947 to 1949. The race was also run at Kyoto in 1967, 1991 and 1995.

Winners of the Oka Sho usually go on to contest the Yushun Himba and the double has been completed by Sweet Sue (1952), Yamaichi, Miss Onward, Kane Keyaki, Tesco Gaby, Titania, Mejiro Ramonu, Max Beauty, Vega, Still In Love, Buena Vista, Apapane, Gentildonna, Almond Eye and Daring Tact. Still In Love, Apapane, Gentildonna and Almond Eye went on to take the Shuka Sho and secure the Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown.

Trial races
Trial races provide automatic berths to the winning horses or placed horses as specified.

Earlier winners

 * 1939 - Soul Lady
 * 1940 - Tairei
 * 1941 - Brand Sol
 * 1942 - Banner Goal
 * 1943 - Miss Theft
 * 1944 - Yamaiwai
 * 1945 - no race
 * 1946 - no race
 * 1947 - Browny
 * 1948 - Hamakaze
 * 1949 - Yashima Daughter
 * 1950 - Tosa Mitsuru
 * 1951 - Tsuki Kawa
 * 1952 - Swee Sue
 * 1953 - Kansei
 * 1954 - Yamaichi
 * 1955 - Yashima Belle
 * 1956 - Miss Lilas
 * 1957 - Miss Onward
 * 1958 - Hoshu Queen
 * 1959 - Kiyo Take
 * 1960 - Tokino Kiroku
 * 1961 - Sugi Hime
 * 1962 - Kenho
 * 1963 - Miss Masako
 * 1964 - Kane Keyaki
 * 1965 - Hatsuyuki
 * 1966 - Wakakumo
 * 1967 - Sea Ace
 * 1968 - Koyu
 * 1969 - Hide Kotobuki
 * 1970 - Tamami
 * 1971 - Nasuno Kaori
 * 1972 - Achieve Star
 * 1973 - Nitto Chodori
 * 1974 - Takaeno Kaori
 * 1975 - Tesco Gaby
 * 1976 - Titania
 * 1977 - Inter Gloria
 * 1978 - Oyama Tesco
 * 1979 - Horsemen Tesco
 * 1980 - Hagino Top Lady
 * 1981 - Brocade
 * 1982 - Riesengross
 * 1983 - Shadai Sophia
 * 1984 - Diana Tholon
 * 1985 - Erebus
 * 1986 - Mejiro Ramonu
 * 1987 - Max Beauty
 * 1988 - Ara Hotoku
 * 1989 - Shadai Kagura