About the race
The February Stakes is run in February over 1,600 metres of left-handed dirt at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, for four-year-olds and upwards. Established in 1984 as the February Handicap when the JRA introduced its grading system, it was upgraded to G2 in 1994 and to G1 in 1997. The JRA’s 2025 report said it joined the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series in 2016, giving the winner an automatic start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The JRA lists a total prize fund of JPY 326,500,000 for 2026.
Costa Nova won in 2025 for trainer Tetsuya Kimura and owner Katsumi Yoshida under Rachel King, who the JRA said became the first female jockey to win a flat G1 in JRA racing. He won again on 22 February 2026 under Christophe Lemaire. The 2027 race is listed for 21 February.
The 2025 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 February 2025 | Costa Nova (JPN) | Rachel King | Tetsuya Kimura | Katsumi Yoshida |
From the official result.
The 2026 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 February 2026 | Costa Nova (JPN) | Christophe Lemaire | Tetsuya Kimura | Katsumi Yoshida |
From the official result.
Recognition and facts
- Winner's prize (2026)
- JPY 150,000,000
- Maximum field
- 16 runners
- Grade 1 since
- 1997
- Breeders' Cup Challenge
- Winner earns an automatic start in the Breeders' Cup Classic (JRA, 2025)
Questions readers ask
When is the February Stakes run?
The JRA's 2027 calendar lists the next February Stakes for Sunday 21 February 2027 at Tokyo Racecourse.
What is the prize fund of the February Stakes?
The JRA's 2026 race conditions list a total value of JPY 326,500,000, with JPY 150,000,000 to the winner.
Who won the February Stakes in 2025?
Costa Nova won on 23 February 2025, ridden by Rachel King and trained by Tetsuya Kimura for Katsumi Yoshida.
Sources
The rank and rating are from the IFHA's LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025, published 21 January 2026, which ranks races by the ratings of their first four finishers. Other facts are from the pages listed below.
- IFHA: LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025 (published 21 January 2026)
- List of JRA Graded Races 2026: February Stakes
- Costa Nova Wins February Stakes Giving Rider Rachel King First JRA-G1 Win
- Costa Nova Accomplish Repeat Victory in February Stakes
- JRA race result (Japanese): 2026 February Stakes
- Racing Fixtures and Graded Race Schedule (JRA) 2027