Takarazuka Kinen

The Takarazuka Kinen (宝塚記念) is a Grade I flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds where they run over a distance of 2,200 metres (approximately $1 3/8$ miles) at Hanshin Racecourse (阪神競馬場) in late June. It is one of the two "All-Star" races in Japanese horse racing; the other being the Arima Kinen (the Grand Prix) held in late December.

It was first run in 1960 with a distance of 1,800 metres. From 1961 to 1965 the race was run over 2,000 metres and since 1966 it has been run over its present distance.

The race is run on the turf and is named after the city of Takarazuka, Hyōgo, the location of Hanshin Racecourse, which is the venue of the race.

As with the Arima Kinen, the majority of the runners in the field are selected by a vote from racing fans, while the remainder are determined by the amount of prize money won.

Earlier winners

 * 1960 - Homare Hiro
 * 1961 - Caesar
 * 1962 - Kodama
 * 1963 - Ryu Forel
 * 1964 - Hikaru Pola
 * 1965 - Shinzan
 * 1966 - Eight Crown
 * 1967 - Taiyo
 * 1968 - Hikaru Takai
 * 1969 - Date Horai
 * 1970 - Speed Symboli
 * 1971 - Mejiro Musashi
 * 1972 - Shofu Midori
 * 1973 - Hamano Parade
 * 1974 - Haiseiko
 * 1975 - Naoki
 * 1976 - Fujino Parthia
 * 1977 - Tosho Boy
 * 1978 - Erimo George
 * 1979 - Sakura Shori
 * 1980 - Teru Tenryu
 * 1981 - Katsu R
 * 1982 - Monte Prince
 * 1983 - Hagino Kamui O