Community hub
0 subscribers8 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Tōkyō Yūshun.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Tōkyō Yūshun
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 Wagnerian in the 85th Japanese Derby | |
| Class | Grade 1 |
|---|---|
| Location | Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo |
| Inaugurated | April 24, 1932 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2400 meters |
| Record | Do Deuce, 2:21.9 |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | 3-y-o, Colts & Fillies |
| Weight | Colt 57 kg, Filly 55 kg |
| Purse | ¥ 648,000,000 (as of 2025)
|
| Bonuses | Classic Triple Crown Winner of Satsuki Shō, Tokyo Yūshun, Kikuka Shō[2] ¥ 300,000,000 |
The Tōkyō Yūshun (東京優駿), also called the Japanese Derby (日本ダービー, Nippon Dābī) is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres (approximately 1 mile 4 furlongs) at the Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo in late May or early June.
It was first run in 1932 and is the Japanese equivalent of the English Epsom Derby. It is the second leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, preceded by the Satsuki Shō (the Japanese equivalent of the English 2,000 Guineas) in mid-to-late April and followed by the Kikuka Shō (the Japanese equivalent of the English St. Leger Stakes) in mid-late October.
Since 2010, the Japanese Derby (along with several other JRA Japanese domestic Grade 1 races, including the other Japanese classics such as the Satsuki Sho and the Kikuka Sho) is open to international competition due to Japan's inclusion in the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities' ICS Part I category, in which all graded black-type races in the JRA calendar are open to international competition.
Races prior to 2001 (along with the other Japanese classics) were only limited to Japanese-bred horses. Since 2001, foreign-bred horses are allowed, but until 2010 this race (and the other classics) were only limited to Japanese-trained horses. Since 2010, up to 9 foreign-trained or bred horses can enter the race.[3]
Step races
[edit]| Race name | Grade | Racecourse | Distance | Priority-entry-rights to Derby | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Satsuki Sho | GI | Nakayama | Turf 2000m | Yes (top 5) |
| 2 | Aoba Sho | GII | Tokyo | Turf 2400m | Yes (top 2) |
| 3 | Principal Stakes | Listed | Tokyo | Turf 2000m | Yes (winner) |
| 4 | Kyoto Shimbun Hai | GII | Kyoto | Turf 2200m | Yes (top 2 horses if registered in NAR) |
| 5 | NHK Mile Cup | GI | Tokyo | Turf 1600m | Yes (top 2 horses if registered in NAR) |
If horses from the National Association of Racing win any 3-year-old JRA Grade 2 or 3 races before the Derby, they will be eligible to enter the Japanese Derby if ranked high enough in prize money. The Kyoto Shimbun Hai and NHK Mile Cup provides priority-entry-rights if these horses place first or second.[4]
The Satsuki Sho, Aoba Sho and the Principal Stakes are the official trial races for the Japanese Derby. The top five finishers in the Satsuki Sho, the top two finishers in the Aoba Sho and the winner of the Principal Stakes are guaranteed a place in the field for the Derby, regardless of prize money.[4] Overall, there are seven automatic qualifying spots in the Derby; the other 10 entries are "at-large" horses determined by prize money earned prior to racing in the Derby.[4] The Kyoto Shimbun Hai is officially considered a step race and only gives priority-entry-rights to horses registered with the NAR. The NHK Mile Cup, the only non-Triple Crown three-year-old GI horse race, is also a step race but only provides priority-entry-rights to horses registered with the NAR,[4] has gained importance in recent years as horses such as Tanino Gimlet,[5] King Kamehameha[6] and Deep Sky[7] participated in the race and would eventually win the Derby.
Winners since 1990
[edit]| Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Ines Fujin | Eiji Nakano | Shuho Kato | Masaaki Kobayashi | 2:25.3 |
| 1991 | Tokai Teio | Takayuki Yasuda | Shouichi Matsumoto | Masanori Uchimura | 2:25.9 |
| 1992 | Mihono Bourbon | Sadahiro Kojima | Tameo Toyama | Mihono International | 2:27.8 |
| 1993 | Winning Ticket | Masato Shibata | Yuji Ito | Yosimi Ota | 2:25.5 |
| 1994 | Narita Brian | Katsumi Minai | Masaaki Okubo | Hidenori Yamaji | 2:25.7 |
| 1995 | Tayasu Tsuyoshi | Shinji Kojima | Akio Tsurudome | Kanichi Yokose | 2:27.3 |
| 1996 | Fusaichi Concorde | Shinji Fujita | Minoru Kobayashi | Fusao Sekiguchi | 2:26.1 |
| 1997 | Sunny Brian | Naohiro Onishi | Senji Nakao | Moriyasu Miyazaki | 2:25.9 |
| 1998 | Special Week | Yutaka Take | Toshiaki Shirai | Hiroyoshi Usuda | 2:25.8 |
| 1999 | Admire Vega | Yutaka Take | Mitsuru Hashida | Riichi Kondo | 2:25.3 |
| 2000 | Agnes Flight | Hiroshi Kawachi | Hiroyuki Nagahama | Takao Watanabe | 2:26.2 |
| 2001 | Jungle Pocket | Koichi Tsunoda | Sakae Watanabe | Yomoji Saito | 2:27.0 |
| 2002 | Tanino Gimlet | Yutaka Take | Kunihide Matsuda | Yuzo Tanimizu | 2:26.2 |
| 2003 | Neo Universe | Mirco Demuro | Tsutomu Setoguchi | Shadai Race Horse | 2:28.5 |
| 2004 | King Kamehameha | Katsumi Ando | Kunihide Matsuda | Makoto Kaneko | 2:23.3 |
| 2005 | Deep Impact | Yutaka Take | Yasuo Ikee | Makoto Kaneko | 2:23.3 |
| 2006 | Meisho Samson | Mamoru Ishibashi | Tsutomu Setoguchi | Yoshio Matsumoto | 2:27.9 |
| 2007 | Vodka | Hirofumi Shii | Katsuhiko Sumii | Yuzo Tanimizu | 2:24.5 |
| 2008 | Deep Sky | Hirofumi Shii | Mitsugu Kon | Toshio Fukami | 2:26.7 |
| 2009 | Logi Universe | Norihiro Yokoyama | Kiyoshi Hagawara | Masaaki Kumeta | 2:33.7 |
| 2010 | Eishin Flash | Hiroyuki Uchida | Hideaki Fujiwara | Tomomitsu Hirai | 2:26.9 |
| 2011 | Orfevre | Kenichi Ikezoe | Yasutoshi Ikee | Sunday Racing | 2:30.5 |
| 2012 | Deep Brillante | Yasunari Iwata | Yoshito Yahagi | Sunday Racing | 2:23.8 |
| 2013 | Kizuna | Yutaka Take | Shozo Sasaki | Shinji Maeda | 2:24.3 |
| 2014 | One And Only | Norihiro Yokoyama | Kojiro Hashiguchi | Koji Maeda | 2:24.6 |
| 2015 | Duramente | Mirco Demuro | Noriyuki Hori | Sunday Racing | 2:23.2 |
| 2016 | Makahiki | Yuga Kawada | Yasuo Tomomichi | Makoto Kaneko | 2:24.0 |
| 2017 | Rey de Oro | Christophe Lemaire | Kazuo Fujisawa | U Carrot Farm | 2:26.9 |
| 2018 | Wagnerian | Yuichi Fukunaga | Yasuo Tomomichi | Makoto Kaneko | 2:23.6 |
| 2019 | Roger Barows | Suguru Hamanaka | Katsuhiko Sumii | Hirotsugu Inokuma | 2:22.6 |
| 2020 | Contrail | Yuichi Fukunaga | Yoshito Yahagi | Shinji Maeda | 2:24.1 |
| 2021 | Shahryar | Yuichi Fukunaga | Hideaki Fujiwara | Sunday Racing | 2:22.5 |
| 2022 | Do Deuce | Yutaka Take | Yasuo Tomomichi | Kieffers Co Ltd | 2:21.9[a] |
| 2023 | Tastiera | Damian Lane | Noriyuki Hori | U Carrot Farm | 2:25.2 |
| 2024 | Danon Decile | Norihiro Yokoyama | Shogo Yasuda | Danox Co. Ltd. | 2:24.3 |
| 2025 | Croix du Nord | Yuichi Kitamura | Takashi Saito | Sunday Racing | 2:23.7 |
- ^ Set the current race record
Earlier winners
[edit]- 1932 - Wakataka
- 1933 - Kabutoyama
- 1934 - Flame Mor
- 1935 - Governor
- 1936 - Tokumasa
- 1937 - Hisatomo
- 1938 - Sugenuma
- 1939 - Kumohata
- 1940 - Ieryu
- 1941 - St Lite
- 1942 - Minami Homare
- 1943 - Kurifuji
- 1944 - Kaiso
- 1945 - No race
- 1946 - No race
- 1947 - Matsu Midori
- 1948 - Miharu O
- 1949 - Tachikaze
- 1950 - Kumono Hana
- 1951 - Tokino Minoru
- 1952 - Kurino Hana
- 1953 - Bostonian
- 1954 - Golden Wave
- 1955 - Otokitsu
- 1956 - Hakuchikara
- 1957 - Hikaru Meiji
- 1958 - Daigo Homare
- 1959 - Komatsu Hikari
- 1960 - Kodama
- 1961 - Hakusho
- 1962 - Fair Win
- 1963 - Meizui
- 1964 - Shinzan
- 1965 - Keystone
- 1966 - Teito O
- 1967 - Asa Denko
- 1968 - Tanino Harromore
- 1969 - Daishin Volgard
- 1970 - Tanino Moutiers
- 1971 - Hikaru Imai
- 1972 - Long Ace
- 1973 - Take Hope
- 1974 - Colonel Lancer
- 1975 - Kaburaya O
- 1976 - Climb Kaiser
- 1977 - Lucky Ruler
- 1978 - Sakura Shori
- 1979 - Katsurano Haiseiko
- 1980 - Opec Horse
- 1981 - Katsu Top Ace
- 1982 - Bamboo Atlas
- 1983 - Mr. C.B.
- 1984 - Symboli Rudolf
- 1985 - Sirius Symboli
- 1986 - Dyna Gulliver
- 1987 - Merry Nice
- 1988 - Sakura Chiyono O
- 1989 - Winner's Circle
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "List of JRA Graded Races 2022｜List of JRA Graded Races｜Horse Racing in Japan".
- ^ "同一年度に本会が定める競走に優勝した馬に対する褒賞金交付基準" (PDF) (in Japanese). Japan Racing Association.
- ^ "第３回 東京競馬成績集計表" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). Japan Racing Association. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ a b c d "競馬番組一般事項(Horseracing Program General Information) - Page 19" (PDF). JRA. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
- ^ "Tanino Gimlet | Horse Profile, Pedigree, Form, Race Record". netkeiba. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ^ "King Kamehameha | Horse Profile, Pedigree, Form, Race Record". netkeiba. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ^ "Deep Sky | Horse Profile, Pedigree, Form, Race Record". netkeiba. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ^ "日本ダービー". Netkeiba.
- ^ "Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby)". Netkeiba.
Tōkyō Yūshun
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
History
Origins and establishment
The Tōkyō Yūshun, known internationally as the Japanese Derby, was established on April 24, 1932, at Meguro Racecourse in Tokyo as a 2400-meter turf race restricted to three-year-old colts and fillies.[5] Modeled after the prestigious Epsom Derby in England, it was created to elevate Japanese horse racing by introducing a high-profile classic event that would attract top talent and public interest.[6] The race was positioned as the second leg of what would emerge as the Japanese Triple Crown series, following the Satsuki Shō and preceding the Kikuka Shō, though the full structure was formalized in the late 1930s.[7] Initial conditions for the Tōkyō Yūshun included eligibility for both colts and fillies on a turf surface, with the 1932 edition held as a right-handed contest under separate weight allowances, reflecting the era's standards for classic races.[8] The inaugural running offered a substantial first-place prize of 10,000 yen—equivalent to about four times the typical top award at the time—plus an additional 13,530 yen in bonuses, underscoring its status as a marquee event amid Japan's interwar economic challenges.[8] Wakataka, ridden by jockey Hakodate Magosaku, emerged victorious by four lengths in rainy, heavy going, marking a defining moment that solidified the race's prestige from its outset.[5] This establishment occurred during a period of rapid modernization in Japanese horse racing during the 1920s and 1930s, as the industry transitioned from fragmented local operations to more centralized, professional frameworks.[9] Prior to World War II, efforts to professionalize the sport included the consolidation of regional racing clubs, culminating in the 1936 revision of the Horseracing Law that formed the Japan Racing Society—a semi-governmental entity that unified 11 clubs and laid the groundwork for the modern Japan Racing Association (JRA) in 1954.[9] The Tōkyō Yūshun quickly attained classic status, symbolizing national pride and contributing to the sport's growth as a cultural and economic force in pre-war Japan.[10]Evolution and key changes
The Tōkyō Yūshun experienced its first major interruption during World War II, with no races held in 1945 and 1946 due to the suspension of horse racing operations amid wartime hostilities and resource shortages.[11] The event resumed in 1947 as part of the broader revival of Japanese racing under the Japan Racing Society, which managed operations until the establishment of the Japan Racing Association (JRA) in 1954, initially with reduced field sizes and makeshift facilities at Tokyo Racecourse to reflect postwar economic constraints.[12] The race was held at Meguro Racecourse for its inaugural runnings in 1932 and 1933 before moving to Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu in 1934, where it has been contested since.[13] In the postwar era, the race underwent standardization to solidify its status as a cornerstone of Japanese Thoroughbred racing. The distance was fixed at 2,400 meters on turf, a configuration consistent since 1932 but reaffirmed in the 1950s as infrastructure stabilized and the JRA focused on consistent formats for classic events.[13] A pivotal change came in 1984, when the JRA introduced its grading system, elevating the Tōkyō Yūshun to Grade 1 status alongside other elite races, recognizing its prestige and attracting top talent.[14] To enhance global appeal, the race opened to foreign-trained horses in 2010, permitting up to nine international entries as part of the JRA's alignment with international "blue book" standards, while foreign-bred horses had been eligible since 2001.[15] Although this expansion aimed to foster cross-border competition and elevate the event's profile, no foreign-trained runner has yet participated, limiting immediate impacts but positioning the Derby for potential future international challenges.[16] Recent adaptations reflect the race's growing stature and logistical refinements. The total purse reached ¥651,000,000 in 2025, with ¥300,000,000 awarded to the winner, underscoring the JRA's investment in high-stakes classics to boost attendance and betting.[4] Scheduling shifted firmly to late May or early June to optimize weather conditions—avoiding summer heat and ensuring firm turf—while maintaining the event's spring timing for three-year-olds.[17] Rule evolutions include set weights of 57 kg for colts and 55 kg for fillies, formalized in the 1980s to balance competition and expand gender eligibility, resulting in rare but historic filly victories like Vodka in 2007.[2]Race details
Course and format
The Tōkyō Yūshun is held at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchū, Tokyo, a premier venue known as the "racecourse of racecourses" in Japanese horseracing.[18] The track features a left-handed oval turf course measuring approximately 2,083 meters in circumference, with wide sweeping turns and a 525.9-meter home straight that allows for extended final sprints.[19] This layout demands stamina and tactical positioning from horses navigating the counterclockwise direction.[20] The race covers a distance of 2,400 meters on turf, scheduled for the first Sunday in June.[1] As a Grade 1 event restricted to three-year-old colts and fillies, it accommodates fields of up to 18 runners, emphasizing the classic Derby challenge of testing young thoroughbreds at this middle-distance.[21] Horses carry set weights of 57 kg for colts and 55 kg for fillies, with no allowances for apprentice jockeys, ensuring a level playing field based on age and sex.[22] Turf firmness, influenced by weather, can significantly affect race dynamics, with firmer conditions favoring speed and softer ground testing endurance.[23] In 2025, the total purse stood at ¥651,000,000, distributed as ¥300,000,000 to the winner, ¥120,000,000 for second, ¥75,000,000 for third, and lesser amounts down to eighth place.[4] The event is broadcast nationally on JRA channels and public networks like NHK, drawing widespread viewership.[24] The race often attracts large crowds, with a record attendance of 196,517 in 1990; however, recent figures include 82,040 in 2025 at the 223,000-capacity venue, underscoring its status as a major public spectacle.[25]Qualification process
The Tōkyō Yūshun is open to three-year-old Thoroughbred horses registered with the Japan Racing Association (JRA), with no restrictions on sex except that geldings are not permitted; fillies receive a 2 kg weight allowance, carrying 55 kg while colts carry 57 kg.[1] Foreign-trained horses have been eligible since 2010 as part of JRA's internationalization efforts, with a limited number selected by the JRA Selection Committee based on international ratings and prior performances in graded stakes.[26][25] The field of up to 18 runners is primarily filled through designated trial races held in April and May, which serve as key preparation events leading to the main race on the first Sunday in June. The top five finishers from the G1 Satsuki Shō, the first leg of the Triple Crown contested over 2,000 meters at Nakayama Racecourse on April 20, 2025, earn automatic berths, providing a direct pathway for top milers to step up in distance.[27] Similarly, the G2 TV Tokyo Hai Aoba Shō over 2,400 meters at Tokyo Racecourse on April 26, 2025, offers automatic qualification to its top two finishers, simulating the Derby's conditions as a primary prep for stamina-testing contenders.[28] The G2 Kyoto Shimbun Hai, run over 2,200 meters at Kyoto Racecourse on May 10, 2025, grants an automatic spot to its winner, along with priority consideration for other placed horses.[29] Winners and top finishers from these designated trial races receive automatic or preferential entry. For the remaining spots, the JRA employs a handicapping system based on official ratings and recent form to select entrants from declared horses, ensuring a balanced field of promising three-year-olds.[26] Declarations occur in stages, with the final one on May 29, 2025, and supplementary entries available at a higher fee if needed. In the 2025 edition, for instance, the Satsuki Shō top five—including winner Museum Mile—secured immediate entry, with Croix du Nord (second in the Satsuki Shō) ultimately winning the Derby, highlighting the trial's role in shaping the lineup.[1][4] The trial system has evolved to refine selection, with the Aoba Shō introduced in 1984 specifically as a dedicated prep race over the Derby distance to identify stayers capable of handling Tokyo's demanding layout.[28] This structure prioritizes merit while capping the field to maintain competitive integrity.Records
Performance records
The Tōkyō Yūshun has seen a range of performance records shaped by track conditions, weather, and advancements in racing surfaces. The fastest winning time was set by Do Deuce in 2022, clocking 2:21.9 on good turf, surpassing the previous mark held by Duramente's 2:23.2 from 2015.[30][31] In contrast, the slowest winning time occurred in the early editions, such as 1932 when Wakataka completed the course in approximately 2:37.0, influenced by nascent track conditions and adverse weather that significantly slowed the field.[32] Margins of victory have varied, with the largest recorded at 5 lengths, achieved by Deep Impact in 2005 on good to firm turf.[15] Other notable wide-margin wins include Contrail's 3-length triumph in 2020 and Vodka's 3-length victory in 2007, both on good to firm turf, as well as Symboli Rudolf's 3-length win in 1984 under firm conditions, highlighting dominant performances in favorable weather.[33][34]| Record Type | Details | Year | Horse | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fastest Time | 2:21.9 | 2022 | Do Deuce | Good turf |
| Slowest Time | ~2:37.0 | 1932 | Wakataka | Unknown (early conditions) |
| Largest Margin | 5 lengths | 2005 | Deep Impact | Good to firm |
Historical statistics
Yutaka Take holds the record for the most victories as a jockey in the Tōkyō Yūshun, with six wins spanning from Special Week in 1998 to Do Deuce in 2022, including the notable 2005 triumph aboard Deep Impact.[36] In the pre-1980s era, jockeys collectively accounted for fewer repeat successes compared to the postwar period, where intensified competition and larger fields post-1980 have seen Take and contemporaries like Yuichi Fukunaga (three wins since 2017) dominate.[37] Among trainers, Yoshito Yahagi stands out with two victories: Deep Brillante in 2012 and the undefeated Contrail in 2020, both showcasing his expertise in preparing classic-distance contenders.[33] The influence of prominent sires is evident in the race's history, particularly the Sunday Silence line, which has produced multiple winners such as Special Week (1998) and Admire Vega (1999), underscoring its dominance in Japanese breeding since the 1990s.[38] Key trends highlight the race's exclusivity: only three fillies have prevailed across 92 runnings—Hisatomo (1937), Kurifuji (1943), and Vodka (2007)—representing a success rate under 4% for females despite open eligibility.[39] As of 2025, no international entrant has secured victory, even after the race opened to foreign-bred horses in 2010, maintaining its status as a showcase for domestic talent.[13] Qualification trends show that roughly 40% of winners emerge from the top five finishers in the Satsuki Shō, though non-participants from trials like the Aoba Shō have occasionally prevailed, as seen in recent non-Satsuki winners like Shahryar (2021).[40] The pre-war period (1932–1942) featured 11 editions amid nascent thoroughbred development, with smaller fields and regional influences shaping outcomes before wartime interruptions halted the race from 1943 to 1945.[41] Postwar resumption in 1946 coincided with Japan's economic recovery, and the 1950s–1960s boom elevated field quality through increased breeding and infrastructure investments, resulting in deeper competition and more consistent high-level performances by the 1980s.[9] In 2025, Croix du Nord's win after placing second in the Satsuki Shō exemplified the ongoing trend of strong trial performers succeeding without prior Derby dominance.[42]Winners
Pre-1990 winners
The Tōkyō Yūshun's pre-1990 history encompasses 56 editions from its 1932 inception through 1989, capturing the race's development amid Japan's socio-political challenges and racing advancements. The pre-war period (1932–1942) featured 11 runnings, primarily at Meguro Racecourse initially before shifting to Tokyo, establishing the event as a cornerstone of Japanese classics despite limited international influences. Wartime conditions halted the race in 1945–1946, with only partial resumption in 1943–1944 under strained circumstances.[13][12] The immediate postwar era (1947–1969) marked a recovery phase, with 23 winners amid rebuilding efforts by the Japan Racing Association's predecessor organizations; times fluctuated due to inconsistent track maintenance at the war-damaged Tokyo Racecourse. A notable highlight was St Lite's 1941 triumph, ridden by K. Konishi and trained by Kazuichiro Tanaka, which completed Japan's first Triple Crown by also winning the Satsuki Sho and Kikuka Sho. By the 1950s, track renovations and turf enhancements contributed to quicker overall times, exemplified by the drop from Kumonohana's 2:44.2 in 1950 to Bostonian's 2:34.3 in 1953, reflecting improved conditions and horse quality.[43][9] From the 1970s to 1989, 23 modern-era winners showcased rising professionalism and breeding standards, with standout performances like Symboli Rudolf's 1984 victory under Y. Okabe, signaling the race's growing global relevance ahead of its 1984 elevation to international Grade 1 status. Records for some early postwar details remain incomplete due to archival gaps from the era's disruptions.[43][12]| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Wakataka | M. Hakodate | T. Higashihara | 2:45.2 |
| 1933 | Kabutoyama | F. Okubo | F. Okubo | 2:41.0 |
| 1934 | Fray Mor | K. Okubo | T. Ogata | 2:45.0 |
| 1935 | Governor | T. Igawa | K. Fuse | 2:42.1 |
| 1936 | Tokumasa | S. Ito | T. Ogata | 2:42.1 |
| 1937 | Hisatomo | T. Nakajima | F. Okubo | 2:33.3 |
| 1938 | Sugenuma | H. Nakamura | H. Nakamura | 2:33.2 |
| 1939 | Kumohata | S. Abe | Kazuichiro Tanaka | 2:36.1 |
| 1940 | Ieryu | K. Sueyoshi | T. Ishikado | 2:34.2 |
| 1941 | St Lite | K. Konishi | Kazuichiro Tanaka | 2:40.1 |
| 1942 | Minami Homare | K. Sato | T. Higashihara | 2:33.0 |
| 1943 | Kurifuji | C. Maeda | T. Ogata | 2:31.4 |
| 1944 | Kaiso | T. Hashimoto | K. Kubota | 2:39.1 |
| 1947 | Matsu Midori | Y. Tanaka | T. Mogi | 2:35.0 |
| 1948 | Miharu O | K. Shinya | D. Uemura | 2:33.2 |
| 1949 | Tachikaze | T. Kondo | K. Ito | 2:33.4 |
| 1950 | Kumono Hana | T. Hashimoto | Katsutaro Suzuki | 2:44.2 |
| 1951 | Tokino Minoru | M. Iwashita | Kazuichiro Tanaka | 2:31.1 |
| 1952 | Kurino Hana | K. Yagisawa | T. Ogata | 2:31.4 |
| 1953 | Bostonian | T. Ebina | I. Masumoto | 2:34.3 |
| 1954 | Golden Wave | M. Iwashita | T. Fujimoto | 2:34.4 |
| 1955 | Otokitsu | Toshio Nihonyanagi | F. Okubo | 2:36.3 |
| 1956 | Hakuchikara | Takayoshi Yasuda | T. Ogata | 2:36.1 |
| 1957 | Hikaru Meiji | T. Ebina | T. Fujimoto | 2:31.0 |
| 1958 | Daigo Homare | T. Ito | K. Kubota | 2:31.1 |
| 1959 | Komatsu Hikari | R. Furuyama | F. Okubo | 2:38.1 |
| 1960 | Kodama | M. Kurita | B. Takeda | 2:30.7 |
| 1961 | Hakusho | Takayoshi Yasuda | T. Ogata | 2:30.2 |
| 1962 | Fair Win | H. Takahashi | K. Matsuyama | 2:31.2 |
| 1963 | Meizui | S. Moriyasu | T. Ogata | 2:28.7 |
| 1964 | Shinzan | M. Kurita | B. Takeda | 2:28.8 |
| 1965 | Keystone | S. Yamamoto | Y. Matsuda | 2:37.5 |
| 1966 | Teito O | H. Shimizu | I. Masumoto | 2:31.1 |
| 1967 | Asa Denko | S. Masuzawa | T. Fujimoto | 2:30.9 |
| 1968 | Tanino Harromore | I. Miyamoto | T. Toyama | 2:31.1 |
| 1969 | Daishin Volgard | S. Osaki | H. Shibata | 2:35.1 |
| 1970 | Tanino Moutiers | I. Yasuda | H. Shimazaki | 2:30.0 |
| 1971 | Hikaru Imai | Y. Tajima | H. Tani | 2:31.6 |
| 1972 | Long Ace | Kunihiko Take | Y. Matsuda | 2:28.6 |
| 1973 | Take Hope | I. Shimada | Y. Inaba | 2:27.8 |
| 1974 | Colonel Lancer | H. Nakajima | T. Katsumata | 2:27.4 |
| 1975 | Kaburaya O | Y. Sugawara | T. Mogi | 2:28.0 |
| 1976 | Climb Kaiser | T. Kaga | Y. Sato | 2:27.6 |
| 1977 | Lucky Ruler | Masanori Ito | T. Ogata | 2:28.7 |
| 1978 | Sakura Shori | F. Kojima | H. Kubota | 2:27.8 |
| 1979 | Katsurano Haiseiko | Y. Matsumoto | H. Shono | 2:27.3 |
| 1980 | Opec Horse | Hiroyuki Gohara | I. Sato | 2:27.8 |
| 1981 | Katsu Top Ace | S. Osaki | K. Kikuchi | 2:28.5 |
| 1982 | Bamboo Atlas | I. Iwamoto | T. Fuse | 2:26.5 |
| 1983 | Mr. C. B. | Masato Yoshinaga | Y. Matsuyama | 2:29.5 |
| 1984 | Symboli Rudolf | Y. Okabe | Yuji Nohira | 2:29.3 |
| 1985 | Sirius Symboli | K. Kato | Toshio Nihonyanagi | 2:31.0 |
| 1986 | Dyna Gulliver | S. Masuzawa | K. Matsuyama | 2:28.9 |
| 1987 | Merry Nice | Y. Nemoto | T. Hashimoto | 2:27.8 |
| 1988 | Sakura Chiyono O | F. Kojima | K. Sakai | 2:26.3 |
| 1989 | Winner's Circle | Hiroyuki Gohara | Y. Matsuyama | 2:28.8 |
Winners since 1990
Since its elevation to Grade 1 status in 1984, the Tōkyō Yūshun has seen 36 editions from 1990 to 2025, showcasing the evolution of Japanese Thoroughbred racing in a professionalized era marked by faster times, international jockey participation, and occasional disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the 2020 race being run without spectators. The following table lists all winners in this period, including key details where available.| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Ines Fujin | Eiji Nakano | Shuho Kato | 2:25.3 | 1 length |
| 1991 | Tokai Teio | Takayuki Yasuda | Shoichi Matsumoto | 2:25.9 | 3 lengths |
| 1992 | Mihono Bourbon | Seiji Kojima | Toshiyuki Toyama | 2:27.8 | Nose |
| 1993 | Winning Ticket | Masato Shibata | Yuichi Ito | 2:25.5 | 1 1/2 lengths |
| 1994 | Narita Brian | Kazuo Minai | Masahiro Okubo | 2:25.7 | 1 1/2 lengths |
| 1995 | Tayasu Tsuyoshi | Seiji Kojima | Akira Tsurudome | 2:27.3 | 1 length |
| 1996 | Fusaichi Concorde | Shinichi Fujita | Masayoshi Kobayashi | 2:26.1 | 2 lengths |
| 1997 | Sunny Brian | Norihiro Onishi | Sakae Nakao | 2:25.9 | 1 3/4 lengths |
| 1998 | Special Week | Yutaka Take | Toshiaki Shirai | 2:25.8 | 1 3/4 lengths |
| 1999 | Admire Vega | Yutaka Take | Masayuki Hashida | 2:25.3 | 1/2 length |
| 2000 | Agnes Flight | Hiroki Kawachi | Hidekazu Nagahama | 2:26.2 | 3/4 length |
| 2001 | Jungle Pocket | Koichi Tsunoda | Sakae Watanabe | 2:27.0 | 1/2 length |
| 2002 | Tanino Gimlet | Yutaka Take | Kunihide Matsuda | 2:26.2 | 1 1/2 lengths |
| 2003 | Neo Universe | Mirco Demuro | Tsutomu Setoguchi | 2:28.5 | 1 length |
| 2004 | King Kamehameha | Katsumi Ando | Kunihide Matsuda | 2:23.3 | 1 1/2 lengths |
| 2005 | Deep Impact | Yutaka Take | Yasuo Ikee | 2:23.3 | 5 lengths |
| 2006 | Meisho Samson | Mamoru Ishibashi | Tsutomu Setoguchi | 2:27.9 | 3 lengths |
| 2007 | Vodka | Hirofumi Shii | Katsuhiko Sumii | 2:24.5 | 1/2 length |
| 2008 | Deep Sky | Hirofumi Shii | Mitsugu Kon | 2:26.7 | 3/4 length |
| 2009 | Logi Universe | Norihiro Yokoyama | Kiyoshi Hagiwara | 2:33.7 | 1 length |
| 2010 | Eishin Flash | Hiroyuki Uchida | Hideaki Fujiwara | 2:26.9 | Neck |
| 2011 | Orfevre | Kenichi Ikezoe | Yasutoshi Ikee | 2:30.5 | 1 1/2 lengths |
| 2012 | Deep Brillante | Yasunari Iwata | Yoshito Yahagi | 2:23.8 | 1 length |
| 2013 | Kizuna | Yutaka Take | Shozo Sasaki | 2:24.3 | 1 1/4 lengths |
| 2014 | One and Only | Norihiro Yokoyama | Kojiro Hashiguchi | 2:24.6 | 1 3/4 lengths |
| 2015 | Duramente | Mirco Demuro | Noriyuki Hori | 2:23.2 | 3/4 length |
| 2016 | Makahiki | Yuga Kawada | Kunihiko Watanabe | 2:24.0 | 1 3/4 lengths |
| 2017 | Rey de Oro | Christophe Lemaire | Kazuo Fujisawa | 2:26.9 | 1 3/4 lengths |
| 2018 | Wagnerian | Yuichi Fukunaga | Yasuo Tomomichi | 2:23.6 | 2 1/2 lengths |
| 2019 | Roger Barows | Suguru Hamanaka | Katsuhiko Sumii | 2:22.6 | 3 lengths |
| 2020 | Contrail | Yuichi Fukunaga | Yoshito Yahagi | 2:24.1 | 3 lengths |
| 2021 | Shahryar | Yuichi Fukunaga | Hideaki Fujiwara | 2:22.5 | 1 length |
| 2022 | Do Deuce | Yutaka Take | Yasuo Tomomichi | 2:21.9 | 2 1/2 lengths |
| 2023 | Tastiera | Damian Lane | Tetsuhide Tsuji | 2:25.2 | Neck |
| 2024 | Danon Decile | Norihiro Yokoyama | Takayuki Yamaguchi | 2:25.3 | 1 length |
| 2025 | Croix du Nord | Yuichi Kitamura | Takashi Saito | 2:23.7 | 3/4 length |