The Japan Racing Association has announced its 2024 racing fixtures. The season kicks off Jan. 6 at Nakayama and Kyoto Racecourse; there are 288 races scheduled, the same as past years, until Dec. 28, when races will be held at Nakayama and Kyoto.
Hanshin Racecourse is closed for one year, beginning May 2024, due to a grandstand renovation. The Takarazuka Kinen (G1) in June and Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) in December have been relocated to Kyoto.
The Unicorn Stakes (G3) has been moved from June to April and moved from Tokyo Racecourse to Kyoto, which runs clockwise, the same as Oi Racecourse, and will serve as a prep race for the 3-year-old Dirt Triple Crown.
The JRA will introduce a unique “Heat Break” at meetings conducted in July and August at Niigata Racecourse. Routine JRA meetings have a first race post time of 10:00 a.m., seeing 12 races that end around 4:00 p.m. Niigata will start at 9:30 a.m. during the hot summer season and conduct five races by 11:30 a.m. after a three hour and 40-minute “Heat Break,” racing will resume at 3:10 p.m. with seven races going into the evening.
