Ōsaka Hai
The Ōsaka Hai is a Grade 1 horse race in for Thoroughbred colts and fillies aged four and over run over a distance of 2,000 metres at Hanshin Racecourse. The race is also known as the '''Sankei Shimbun and the Ōsaka Cup. The race is run in early April.
It was first run in 1957 over 1800 metres. The distance was increased to 1900 metres in 1966 before the race was run over its current distance for the first time in 1972.
Among the winners of the race have been Katsuragi Ace, Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, Air Groove, Neo Universe, Meisho Samson, Daiwa Scarlet, Orfevre and Kizuna.
The Ōsaka Hai was promoted from Grade 2 status to Grade 1 in 2017. Prior to 2017, the race was known as the Sankei Ōsaka Hai and served as a trial race for the spring edition of the Tenno Sho. From 2017 the winner will have a guaranteed and complimentary entry to that season's Irish Champion Stakes.Records
Speed record:- 1:57.8 Hiruno d'Amour 2011
Most successful horse :- Sunrise Pegasus – 2002, 2005
Winners since 1992
Earlier winners
- 1957 – Homare Ichi
- 1958 – Katsura Homare
- 1959 – Kiyo Sugata
- 1960 – Wildeal
- 1961 – Kodame
- 1962 – Sugihime
- 1963 – Ryu Z
- 1964 – Tetsuno O
- 1965 – Young Hero
- 1966 – Ballymoss Nisei
- 1967 – Ryu Pharos
- 1968 – Yama Pit
- 1969 – Date Horai
- 1970 – Shunsaku O
- 1971 – Tokino Shin O
- 1972 – Kei Takashi
- 1973 – Takuma O
- 1974 – Nihon Pillow Moutiers
- 1975 – Sky Leader
- 1976 – Long Hawk
- 1977 – Gold Eagle
- 1978 – King Lanark
- 1979 – Metro Jumbo
- 1980 – Hashi Kranz
- 1981 – Sancy Doll
- 1982 – Sanei Tholon
- 1983 – Hikari Duel
- 1984 – Katsuragi Ace
- 1985 – State Jaguar
- 1986 – Sakura Yutaka O
- 1987 – Nishino Raiden
- 1988 – Fresh Voice
- 1989 – Yaeno Muteki
- 1990 – Super Creek
- 1991 – White Stone
