is a Japanese racecourse located in Kasamatsu, Hashima, Gifu, Japan. Operated by the Gifu Prefecture Racing Association under the National Association of Racing. It was established in 1934 following the relocation of the in Nakatsu, Oita.

Overview

Kasamatsu Racecourse is known as the place where Katsumi Ando—the first jockey to transfer from local to central horse racing—began his career, alongside Mitsuaki Ando and Yuichi Shibayama, who also later transferred. Moreover, it is widely known for producing many famous horses since the 1980s, such as Fate Northern, Oguri Cap, Max Fleet, Oguri Roman, Raiden Leader, Legend Hunter, and Love Michan. In 2004, it was given the nickname "Dream Stadium: the Home of Famous Horses and Famous Jockeys," which is used in various public relations campaigns.

Kasamatsu Racecourse is located on the bank of the Kiso River, within a 3-minute walk of Kasamatsu Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line.

The stables are located quite a distance away from the racecourse. During training, the horses have to walk from Enjoji Stable (Enjoji, Kasamatsu) and Yakushiji Stable (Yakushiji, Ginan) to the track. In particular, there are some sections on the horse trail extending to Enjoji Stable—about 1.5 kilometers to the east—that intersect and pass through public roads, so security guards are in charge of ensuring safety during transport.

Previously, there were two pedestrian crossings on Gifu Prefectural Road Route 178 with traffic signals set at elevated heights so jockeys would not have to dismount (as of 2024, these signals were removed). However, several past incidents in which racehorses escaped onto public roads or were involved in traffic accidents have raised safety concerns. To prevent future accidents, there are plans to decommission Enjoji Stable, build a new stable in the parking lot on the west side of the racecourse, and expand Yakushiji Stable.

Course Overview

Dirt Course : Clockwise (right-handed) Circumference : 1,100 meters Width : 20 meters Length of straight : 238 meters Number of horses allowed : Up to 12 horses Distance : 800 meters · 1,400 meters · 1,580 meters · 1,800 meters · 1,900 meters · 2,500 meters

Due to the aforementioned stable relocation, the starting point for the 1,600 meters race was moved 20 meters forward, distance will be shorten to 1,580 meters since March 30, 2026. The 1,580 meters distance was previously used for a little over two years, from July 1974 to October 1976. However, historical records from that era will not apply; instead, winning times will serve as temporary standards until March 2027, and official course records will be tracked starting in April 2027.

Notable races

Month Race Name Distance Age & Sex Latest Winner Tokai Region Grade 1 (SPI) February Blue Ribbon Mile 1,580 meters Four-year-old & up mares April Hizannōsui Hai 1,400 meters Four-year-old & up May Oguri Cap Kinen 1,400 meters Four-year-old & up July Gifu Seiryū Cup 1,400 meters Three-year-old August Kuroyuri Shō 1,580 meters Three-year-old & up Gifu Kin Shō 1,900 meters Three-year-old November Love Michan Kinen 1,580 meters Two-year-old fillies Kasamatsu Grand Prix 1,400 meters Three-year-old & up December Raiden Leader Kinen 1,400 meters Two-year-old Tōkai Gold Cup 2,500 meters Three-year-old & up Tokai Region Grade 2 (SPII) January Hakugin Sōha 1,900 meters Four-year-old & up March Junior Glory 1,400 meters Three-year-old March Cup 1,580 meters Four-year-old & up July Summer Cup 1,400 meters Three-year-old & up October Autumn Cup 1,900 meters Three-year-old & up Tokai Region Grade 3 (SPIII) February Gold Junior 1,580 meters Three-year-old May Queen Cup 1,580 meters Three-year-old fillies June Shinryoku Shō 1,400 meters Three-year-old Nadeshiko Sōha 1,400 meters Three-year-old & up fillies September Bloom Cup 1,800 meters Three-year-old October Tōkai Crown 1,400 meters Three-year-old & up November Legend Hunter Kinen 1,900 meters Three-year-old & up

References