The Japan Racing Association (JRA) published its Reiwa 5 (2023) race schedule on October 17, 2022, setting the racing year from January 5 to December 28 and confirming the reopening of Kyoto Racecourse1.
Kyoto Racecourse has been suspended since November of Reiwa 2 for renovation work. Racing there will resume on Saturday, April 22, roughly two and a half years later, after which western Japan fixtures return to their normal pattern1. The JRA said the first and second Kyoto meetings of a normal year will again be switched to Chukyo or Hanshin because renovation work continues1.
The calendar uses three national holidays for three day race weekends: January 7 to 9 (Coming of Age Day) at Nakayama and Chukyo; September 16 to 18 (Respect for the Aged Day) at Nakayama and Hanshin; and October 7 to 9 (Sports Day) at Tokyo and Kyoto1. From July 29 to August 6, racing will be held at only two venues, Sapporo and Niigata, as a heat countermeasure1.
Race days by venue for 2023 are set out below1.
| Racecourse | Meetings | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | 2 | 14 |
| Hakodate | 2 | 12 |
| Fukushima | 3 | 20 |
| Niigata | 4 | 26 |
| Nakayama | 5 | 42 |
| Tokyo | 5 | 45 |
| Chukyo | 4 | 32 |
| Kyoto | 3 | 29 |
| Hanshin | 5 | 46 |
| Kokura | 3 | 22 |
On graded races, the JRA said it will apply to the Japan Graded Race Planning Committee to promote the Shion Stakes (GIII) to GII, citing its strength as a trial for the Shuka Sho (GI). The grading review is scheduled for January 20231.
The JRA also announced higher weight-carrying rules, citing jockey health and welfare and the need to secure talented riders in future1.
The JRA said stakes prize money, rule changes, listed races and other program details will be announced again around mid November1.
What it means for players
Kyoto's reopening restores a major venue to the western Japan circuit, and the three day holiday weekends give more race days clustered together, which affects travel and accommodation planning for visitors. The two venue period in late July and early August means fewer meetings to bet on during that stretch. The weight changes alter how horses carry weight in races, which feeds into form study for anyone reading race cards. The Shion Stakes promotion is only an application, with a review due in January 2023, so its grade is not yet confirmed. Details on prize money and program rules have not yet been published.
What happens next
The grading review of the Shion Stakes is scheduled for January 20231. Further announcements on stakes prize money, program rule changes and listed races are expected around mid November 20221.
Sources1 sources
- 2023 JRA Racing Calendar (開催日割):, jra.go.jp
