Naruo Kinen


The Naruo Kinen is a Grade 3 middle-distance race for three-year-olds and older horses in the JRA. It is run over 2000 metres at Hanshin Racecourse in June. The race often serves as a trial race for the Takarazuka Kinen later in the month.

History

The first race was held in 1951. The race is held once a year was held twice a year from 1951 to 1953. The race was run over a variety of longer distances before being contested over 2000 metres for the first time in 1997. The distance was 1800 metres from 2006 to 2011.
The race was run at Chukyo Racecourse in 1959, and at Kyoto Racecourse in 1966, 1969 and 1990.
From 1955 to 1985, the race was for horses over 5 years old, however the requirement was changed to 4 years old in 1987.
Notable winners of the Naruo Kinen have included Ten Point, Bubble Gum Fellow, Tamamo Cross and Lovely Day.

Winners since 2000

Previous winners