The is a Grade 2 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1,200 metres (approximately 6 furlongs) at Hanshin Racecourse in September.

It was first run in 1987 and takes its name from a statue at the racecourse in the form of centaur, a creature from Greek mythology with the upper body of a human and the lower body and legs of a horse.

Prior to 2000 the race was run over a distance of 1,400 metres (7 furlongs), and having originally been classed as a Domestic Grade 3 race, it was promoted to Domestic Grade 2 status in 2006 and was promoted to International Grade 2 status in 2007.

From 2005 to 2010 it was a leg of the Global Sprint Challenge series. It has now been replaced as a Japanese leg of the series by the Takamatsunomiya Kinen.

Weight

55kg for three-year-olds, 57kg for four-year-olds and above.

Allowances:

• 2kg for fillies / mares

• 1kg for southern hemisphere bred three-year-olds

Penalties (excluding two-year-old race performance):

If a graded stakes race has been won within a year:

• 2kg for a grade 1 win (1kg for fillies / mares)

• 1kg for a grade 2 win

If a graded stakes race has been won for more than a year:

• 1kg for a grade 1 win

Winners

See also

• Horse racing in Japan

• List of Japanese flat horse races

References

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