JRA Announces Autumn International Series Bonus Program
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Photo: Katsumi Saito
Christophe Lemaire celebrates aboard Almond Eye after winning the 2018 Japan Cup in track record time at Tokyo Racecourse
The Japan Racing Association announced the 2019 Japan Autumn International Series Feb. 22, a bonus program aimed at drawing international horses to compete in four Japanese grade 1 stakes.
In 2019, winners of several high-profile international races would be eligible for the bonus program that awards additional purse money to the first three finishers of the Nov. 24 Japan Cup (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse, the Nov. 19 Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ Cup (G1T) for fillies and mares at Kyoto Racecourse, the Nov. 17 Mile Championship (G1) at Kyoto, and the Dec. 1 Champions Cup (G1) at Chukyo Racecourse.
Among American races eligible for the bonus in the Japan Cup are the Arlington Million (G1T), Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T), Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1T), Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T), and Breeders Cup Classic (G1). The winner of any of these races would be eligible for an additional US$2 million bonus should they win the Japan Cup.
Another US$400,000 and US$250,000 will be paid to the winner of any aforementioned U.S. race if they finish second or third, respectively. Other eligible international races include the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), as well as classics in Europe and Australia.
The American-based Beverly D. Stakes (G1T) and Flower Bowl Stakes (G1T) are bonus-eligible races for the Nov. 19 Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ Cup. Bonus purses of US$700,000, US$280,000, and US$175,000 will be paid to the first three finishers.
Only one North American race, the Woodbine Mile (G1T), will be eligible for a bonus in the Mile Championship. Other international races include the Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1T) and the French Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois (G1T), among others. The first three runners with qualifying victories will be also be awarded the US$700,000, US$280,000, and US$175,000, respectively.
A total of 12 U.S. races—the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), Preakness Stakes (G1), Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1), Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1), Whitney Stakes (G1), Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1), Pacific Classic (G1), Woodward Stakes (G1), Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), and Breeders Cup Classic—are recognized as bonus races for the Champions Cup, which will offer a US$1.9 million purse. Incentives of US$700,000, US$280,000, and US$175,000 will be paid to the first three runners.
Click here to view the JRA's official lists of eligible races.