PartialLogo
International
premium

So near yet so far: how Japan has agonisingly failed to win the Arc

El Condor Pasa: finished second to the brilliant Montjeu in the 1999 Arc
El Condor Pasa: finished second to the brilliant Montjeu in the 1999 ArcCredit: Edward Whitaker

Brilliant Japanese filly Almond Eye demonstrated her Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe credentials with victory in the Japan Cup on Sunday. A Japanese-trained horse has famously never won Europe's middle-distance showpiece. Here are four who went close.

El Condor Pasa (1999)

A three-quarter length defeat to the brilliant Montjeu started the spell of 'seconditis' for Japanese runners.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock
  • Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
  • Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
  • Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
  • Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
  • Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
  • Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Subscribe

Already a subscriber?Log in

Bloodstock journalist

Published on inInternational

Last updated

iconCopy