The is a Grade 2 (<small><big>GII)</big></small> flat horse race in Japan.
The Nikkei Shinshun Hai is a Grade II Thoroughbred handicap race in Japan, open to horses aged four years and older. It is held annually in mid-January at Kyoto Racecourse over a distance of 2,400 meters on turf (outer course). Eligible entrants must have raced at least once, and include 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 to ensure competitive balance. The first-place prize in 2026 was ÃÂ¥57 million. The race is officially titled the âÂÂNikkei Shinshun HaiâÂÂ, named after its sponsor, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) newspaper, and the winner receives the Nikkei Newspaper Prize. Notably, the winner also earns priority entry into AustraliaâÂÂs Group 1 Caulfield Cup.
The Nikkei Shinshun Hai was first run on January 17, 1954, as the âÂÂNihon Keizai Shinshun Haiâ (æÂ¥æ¬çµÂæ¸Âæ°æÂ¥æ¯) for horses aged five and older 5. It was renamed âÂÂNikkei Shinshun Haiâ in 1979. Originally contested over 2,400 meters on turf at Kyoto, the race briefly shifted to Hanshin Racecourse in 1980 and 1994. From 1987 to 1993, the distance was shortened to 2,200 meters. Weight conditions also varied: it began as a handicap, switched to weight-for-age (å¥å®Â) from 1981 to 1993, then reverted to handicap thereafter. The race was elevated to Grade II status in 1984 with the introduction of JRAâÂÂs official grading system. International participation expanded gradually: foreign-bred horses were allowed from 1990, foreign-trained horses from 2006 (initially 4 runners), increasing to 8 in 2007 and 9 in 2015 following JapanâÂÂs IFHA Part I status. NAR horses gained eligibility in 2020.
Recent years saw temporary relocations due to infrastructure projects: it was held at Chukyo Racecourse over 2,200m from 2021 to 2023 and again in 2025.
The 1984 running was run on Dirt at the distance of 2,600m<br> The 2021, 2022 and 2023 runnings took place at Chukyo while Kyoto was closed for redevelopment.<br> The 2025 running took place at Chukyo while Hanshin was closed for redevelopment.
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