The is a Grade 3 (<small><big>GIII)</big></small> flat horse race in Japan.
The Kyoto Kimpai is a Grade III Thoroughbred handicap race in Japan, open to horses aged four years and older. It is held annually on January 5 (or January 6 if the 5th falls on a Friday) at Kyoto Racecourse over a distance of 1,600 meters on turf (outer course). Eligible entrants must have raced at least once and cannot be unraced or maiden horses. The field includes JRA-trained horses, up to two certified NAR (local) horses, and foreign-trained horses with priority entry. As a handicap race, weights are assigned based on each horseâÂÂs past performance. The first-place prize in 2026 is ÃÂ¥43 million.
The race is officially titled the âÂÂSports Nippon Sho Kyoto KimpaiâÂÂ, sponsored by Sports Nippon newspaper, and the winner receives the Sports Nippon Newspaper Prize.
The Kyoto Kimpai traces its origins to the âÂÂGeishun Sho (è¿ÂæÂ¥è³Â)âÂÂ, first run on January 3, 1963, for horses aged five and older over 2,000 meters on turf at Kyoto Racecourse. In 1966, it was renamed âÂÂKin Hai (éÂÂçÂÂ)âÂÂ, and in 1970, the spelling was updated to âÂÂKimpai (éÂÂæ¯)âÂÂ. From 1966 to 1995, it shared its name with the Nakayama Kimpai (run at Nakayama Racecourse), together forming JapanâÂÂs traditional New YearâÂÂs Day graded stakes doubleheader. To distinguish the two, the Kyoto version was officially renamed âÂÂSports Nippon Sho Kyoto Kimpaiâ in 1996. Weight conditions shifted over time: it began as a handicap, switched to weight-for-age (å¥å®Â) from 1966 to 1980, then reverted to handicap in 1981, where it has remained ever since. A transformation occurred in 2000, when the distance was shortened from 2,000m to 1,600m, repositioning the race as a key early-season test for milers rather than stayers.
The race was designated Grade III in 1984 under JRAâÂÂs grading system. International participation expanded gradually: foreign-bred horses were allowed from 1993, foreign-trained horses from 2006 (initially 4 runners, later 8 in 2007 and 9 in 2015), and NAR horses from 2020. Due to Kyoto Racecourse renovations, the race was temporarily relocated to Chukyo Racecourse from 2021 to 2023 and again in 2025.
Like its Nakayama counterpart, it is affectionately known by the fan saying: âÂÂIchinen no kei wa Kinpai ni ariâ (âÂÂThe yearâÂÂs plan lies in the KimpaiâÂÂ).
The 2020, 2021 and 2022 runnings took place at Chukyo while Kyoto was closed for redevelopment.<br> The 2025 runnings took place at Chukyo while Hanshin was closed for redevelopment.
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