About the race
The Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) is run over 2,400 metres of left-handed turf at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, for three-year-old colts and fillies; geldings are not eligible. The JRA says the race was established in 1932 at Tokyo Racecourse, then situated in Meguro ward, to emulate the British Triple Crown programme. It was cancelled in 1945 and returned in 1947. It has been open to NAR runners since 1995 and to foreign-bred horses since 2001, and it is the second leg of the Triple Crown. The 2026 prize fund was JPY 651,000,000.
The 92nd running, on 1 June 2025, went to Croix du Nord, ridden by Yuichi Kitamura and trained by Takashi Saito for Sunday Racing Co., Ltd., which the JRA said was the owner’s fifth Derby win. Lovcen won the 2026 running on 31 May. The 2027 race is listed for 30 May.
The 2025 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 June 2025 | Croix du Nord (JPN) | Yuichi Kitamura | Takashi Saito | Sunday Racing Co., Ltd. |
From the official result.
The 2026 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 May 2026 | Lovcen (JPN) | Kohei Matsuyama | Haruki Sugiyama | Forest Racing |
From the official result.
Recognition and facts
- Winner's prize (2026)
- JPY 300,000,000
- Maximum field
- 18 runners
- Part of
- JRA Triple Crown (second leg)
- Open to NAR runners since
- 1995
Questions readers ask
When is the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) run?
The JRA's 2027 calendar lists the next Tokyo Yushun for Sunday 30 May 2027 at Tokyo Racecourse.
What is the prize fund of the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby)?
The total prize money for the 2026 running was JPY 651,000,000, with JPY 300,000,000 to the winner.
Who won the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) in 2025?
Croix du Nord won on 1 June 2025, ridden by Yuichi Kitamura and trained by Takashi Saito for Sunday Racing Co., Ltd.
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)
- Race Favorite Croix du Nord Conquers Tokyo Yushun
- Lovcen Captures His Second Classics' Title in Tokyo Yushun
- Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1): Preview, 2025
- List of JRA Graded Races 2026: Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby)
- Racing Fixtures and Graded Race Schedule (JRA) 2027