If there is a nation of people who love horses more than Americans it might just be the Japanese. These people are wildly crazy about the sport and boast some of the most impressive purses you will ever see. The most prestigious American race is the Kentucky Derby, but which race is the pride of Japan?

The Japan Cup which takes place near the end of November is one of the best year-end races in the sport. The purse is among the largest in the world at $4.6 million and the spectacular event takes place at Tokyo Racecourse. To qualify a horse must be 3 years or older. The distance is 2400 meters (around 12 furlongs) on the turf.

Bonuses are provided if the winner of certain stakes races can win the Japan Cup. Among these races are the Dubai World Cup, Epsom Derby, and Irish Derby. The bonus for winning the Japan Cup along with one of those is $1.1 million. A tier below is the Arlington Million, Canadian International, along with a few others. If you can combine one of those races with the Japan Cup it is worth an extra $840,000.

The 2006 winner was a champion sired by another champion. Deep Impact, by Sunday Silence added the race to his amazing resume which already includes the Japanese Triple Crown. He defeated perhaps the greatest turf mare racing has ever seen in Ouija Board and long time nemesis Heart’s Cry. The win propelled him to his second Horse of the Year award in Japan.

The 2007 victor Admire Moon was sired by Forty Niner. He also reigned victorious in the Takarazuka Kinen, and the Dubai Duty Free which established his dominance on an international stage. He has since been retired to stud duty.