The is a Grade 3 (<small><big>GIII</big></small><small><big>)</big></small> flat horse race in Japan.
The Nakayama 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 the nearest available date) at Nakayama Racecourse over a distance of 2,000 meters on turf (inner 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 horse's past performance to ensure competitive balance. The first-place prize in 2026 is ÃÂ¥43 million.
The race is officially titled the âÂÂNikkan Sports Sho Nakayama KimpaiâÂÂ, sponsored by Nikkan Sports newspaper (Tokyo headquarters), and the winner receives the Nikkan Sports Newspaper Prize.
The Nakayama Kimpai was first run on January 20, 1952, as the âÂÂKin Haiâ (éÂÂæ¯) for horses aged five and older (equivalent to four-year-olds under current standards) over 2,600 meters on turf at Nakayama Racecourse. From 1954 to 1960, it was briefly run under weight-for-age (å¥å®Â) conditions, but reverted to handicap thereafter. In 1961, the race underwent a change: it swapped distance and timing with the newly created American Jockey Club Cup, shortening to 2,000 meters and moving to early January, becoming Japan's traditional opening graded stakes race of the New Year.
From 1966 to 1995, a separate âÂÂKin Haiâ was also held at Kyoto Racecourse (now the Kyoto Kimpai). To distinguish the two, the Nakayama version was officially renamed âÂÂNikkan Sports Sho Nakayama Kimpaiâ in 1996. The race was designated Grade III in 1984 with the introduction of JRA's grading system. International participation expanded gradually: foreign-bred horses were allowed from 1994, foreign-trained horses from 2006 (initially 4 runners, later 8 in 2007 and 9 in 2015), and NAR horses from 2020. The venue has seen occasional changes due to external factors: it was held at Tokyo (1970âÂÂ1979, 1996, 2002) and even Fukushima in 1972 due to equine influenza and labor strikes. Since 1980, however, it has been permanently set at Nakayama.
The race is affectionately known among fans by the pun: âÂÂIchinen no kei wa Kinpai ni ariâ (âÂÂThe yearâÂÂs plan lies in the KimpaiâÂÂ), echoing the New Year proverb.
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