Takamatsunomiya Kinen

The Takamatsunomiya Kinen (高松宮記念) is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1,200 metres (approximately 6 furlongs) at Chukyo Racecourse in late March.

The forerunner of this race was the Chukyo Daishoten (中京大賞典). It was started as the Takamatsunomiya Hai (高松宮杯) when the victory cup was designed by Prince Takamatsu in 1971, and was given Domestic Grade 2 status when race grading was introduced to Japan in 1984. It was run over a distance of 2,000 metres. This was shortened to 1,200 metres and elevated to Domestic Grade 1 in 1996, and to its present level in 2006. Horses trained outside Japan have been eligible to run in the race since 2001. It was renamed the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in 1998 because the family of Prince Takamatsu stopped designing the victory cup.

From 2011 The Takamatsunomiya Kinen has taken over from the Centaur Stakes as a Japanese leg of the Global Sprint Challenge Series it is the second leg of the series preceded by the Lightning Stakes and from 2012 followed by the Dubai Golden Shaheen.

It is also the only JRA Grade 1 turf race not held at one of the 4 major racecourses: (Hanshin, Kyoto, Nakayama, Tokyo).

Winners since 1996

 * The 2011 race took place at Hanshin Racecourse.

Past winners

 * 1971: Shunsakuo
 * 1972: Josetsu
 * 1973: Takeden Bird
 * 1974: Haiseiko
 * 1975: Itto
 * 1976: Fujino Parthia
 * 1977: Tosho Boy
 * 1978: Yamanin Goro
 * 1979: Nehai Jet
 * 1980: Lindo Pleben
 * 1981: Hagino Top Lady
 * 1982: Kazushige
 * 1983: Hagino Kamui O
 * 1984: Kyoei Rare
 * 1985: Mejiro Mont Cenis
 * 1986: Rugby Ball
 * 1987: Land Hiryu
 * 1988: Oguri Cap
 * 1989: Mejiro Ardan
 * 1990: Bamboo Memory
 * 1991: Daitaku Helios
 * 1992: Mr. Spain
 * 1993: Longchamp Boy
 * 1994: Nice Nature
 * 1995: Matikanetannhauser