"There is no grade 1 stakes at (Japan Racing Association) during the summer season at the moment while valuable and prestigious summer grade 1s are conducted in other major horse racing countries, for example, at Deauville in France, Goodwood and York in UK, and Saratoga and Del Mar in the USA", said chairman of Sapporo Owners' Association Makio Okada. "Japan needs a summer grade 1 and I believe firmly that the Sapporo Kinen is the ideal race as it has enough race rating to be recognized as a grade 1."
岡田
