2022 Japan Cup Betting Guide
Welcome to our Japan Cup betting guide, where we provide everything you need to know about betting on the most prestigious horse race in the Land of the Rising Sun.
We list the best Japan Cup betting sites, share the latest betting odds for this year’s edition of the invitational race, and much more.
Where to Bet on the 2022 Japan Cup
Everygame Sports
Payment Options
Average Payout Speed
0 – 24 HoursCurrencies
- AUD
- CAD
- USD
- Competitive sign-up and promotional offers
- Excellent statistics section to aid customers
- Pain-free deposit options
- Accepts both high and low limit bettors
- Lengthy and expensive withdrawal procedure
BetUS Sports
Payment Options
Average Payout Speed
0 – 24 HoursCurrencies
- BTC
- LTC
- ETH
- Premier destination for US bettors
- Racebook covering daily races
- Esports and virtual sports markets
- In-depth sports stats and tips
- Intuitive live betting markets
- Limited withdrawal options
MyBookie Sports
Payment Options
Average Payout Speed
0 – 24 HoursCurrencies
- LTC
- USD
- Generous bonuses and promotions
- Great range of betting markets
- Extensive racebook
- Very good customer service
- Only a few withdrawal options
- Fees for withdrawing funds
BUSR Sports
Payment Options
Average Payout Speed
0 – 24 HoursCurrencies
- BTC
- Trusted by publications such as ESPN
- Access a dedicated racing section
- Crypto-friendly sportsbook
- Adjust odds format and time zone
- Support options include call back
- Quite low sportsbook limits
BetOnline Sports
Payment Options
Average Payout Speed
0 – 24 HoursCurrencies
- USD
- Accepts players from all over the world
- Known for their live betting offers
- Lots of secure banking options
- Great bonuses and promotions
- High fees for some deposit options
- Support agents are often slow to reply
Bovada.lv Sports
Payment Options
Average Payout Speed
0 – 24 HoursCurrencies
- BTC
- Top-rated US online sportsbook
- Mobile site for iOS and Android users
- Diverse range of betting markets
- Excellent customer support options
- Lines come out very late in the day
- Odds not as favorable as other books
BookMaker.eu Sports
Payment Options
Average Payout Speed
0 – 24 HoursCurrencies
- BPS
- CAD
- EUR
- Popular book that accepts large max bets
- Huge focus on football and basketball
- High-spec live in-play platform available
- Downloadable client for Windows & Mac
- Odds are not amazing on non-US sports
- User interface could be improved
Features of the Best Japan Cup Betting Sites
With the Japan Cup being one of the most prestigious mile and a half races in the world, it should come as no surprise to learn that all the best sports betting sites accepts bets on the invitational race. But with so many sites to choose from, we understand it can be difficult to decide where to place your bets.
Luckily for you, we know what fellow horse racing betting enthusiasts look for in a bookmaker. That’s why we analyse every aspect of each site we review and share our honest and unbiased opinion on whether it’s worth your time. We consider everything from licensing and security measures to payment methods and customer support, but there’s a few key features we look for in Japan Cup betting sites.
The key features of the best Japan Cup betting sites include:
Best Odds Guaranteed
We only recommend horse racing betting sites which offer Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG). It’s a concession offered by bookmakers to ensure you receive the best price possible. If your selection’s starting price (SP) is bigger than the price you took, you will be paid at the bigger price.
Race Coverage
We only recommend Japan Cup betting sites that offer odds on all the other major flat races, from American racing’s Triple Crown races to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Dubai World Cup. But it’s also important that the site covers jumps racing, ensuring you can bet on Cheltenham and the Grand National.
Free Bets & Bonuses
Because the Japan Cup is such a prestigious race, there is always a lot of competition between bookmakers ahead of post time. Sites offer free bets, deposit bonuses and enhanced odds to attract new customers who want to bet on the Japan Cup. And the rewards continue long after you sign up.
Japan Cup: Facts and Race Information
More than 21,000 horse races are held each year in Japan, none of which are bigger than the Japan Cup.
The Japan Cup is held on the last Sunday of November at the Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo. It’s one of the most prestigious mile and a half races in the world, with a maximum of 18 horses running under weight for age conditions.
First run in 1981, the Japan Racing Association (JRA) introduced the Japan Cup as an invitational race to give local racehorses an opportunity to compete against elite racehorses from the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India. Entry restrictions were lifted a year later, with the JRA extending their invitation to the best horses from around the world.
The Japan Cup remains an invitational race, attracting the biggest names in racing with a total prize pool of ¥624,000,000 (about US$5.7 million). It’s the second richest turf race in the world, after the Melbourne Cup, with ¥300,000,000 (about US$2.7 million) set aside for the winner.
Additional prize money is awarded if the winning horse triumphed in other international races in the same calendar year and finishes third or better in the Japan Cup. Qualifying races include the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby, Dubai World Cup, Breeders’ Cup, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
2022 Japan Cup Betting Odds & Predictions
The 42nd running of the Japan Cup takes place on Sunday, 27 November 2022.
According to the latest Japan Cup betting odds, this year’s race is likely to be a duel between local horses Danon Beluga (11/4) and Shahriyar (3/1). International competitors will be hoping to spil the party, namely Aidan O’Brien’s Broome and Fabrice Chappet’s Onesto. Frankel colt Onesto won the Gr.2 Prix Greffulhe and has already forged a reputation for finishing strong.
We’re backing Danon Beluga to win the 2022 Japan Cup.
How to Bet on the Japan Cup
Whether you’re new to betting on horse racing online or considering betting on the Japan Cup for the first time, we’re here to help.
We’ve already helped thousands of beginners create an online betting account and bet on their favourite sports, so allow us to show you how easy it is to bet on Japan’s most prestigious horse race.
Follow our step-by-step guide below to place your first bet on the Japan Cup:
Step 1
Create a Betting Account
Step one is joining one of the best Japan Cup betting sites. Take your pick from the sites on this page and click the “visit site” button. Then click “register” and enter your personal details to complete the registration process.
Step 2
Make Your First Deposit
Access the cashier or banking section to view a list of accepted payment methods and select your preferred option. Then enter your payment details and confirm how much you want to deposit. In most cases, your funds will be made available instantly.
Step 3
Find Japan Cup Betting Markets
Navigate to the horse racing section. Most betting sites have an A-Z list of sports on their homepage to make navigation quick and easy. You will find the latest Japan Cup betting markets under the “featured races” or “ante post” tab at most sites.
Step 4
Confirm Your Bet
Now it’s time to make your selection. Click the odds associated with the horse you want to back and enter your stake. Then click “confirm” to process your bet and wait for the race to begin.
Japan Cup History
Some of the greatest racehorses of all time have competed in the Japan Cup since its inaugural running in 1981, including numerous Triple Crown winners and Horse of the Year winners.
Mairzy Doates, a five-year-old American mare ridden by Cash Asmussen and trained by John Fulton, won the first Japan Cup, finishing a length clear of runner-up Frost King.
And how could we discuss recent winners without addressing the 2020 Japan Cup? It was the biggest clash of champions in the race’s history, with three Japan Triple Crown winners going head-to-head in the 40th edition of the invitational race.
The 2018 Japanese Fillies Triple Crown winner Almond Eye was the betting favourite, ahead of the undefeated 2020 Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail and the undefeated 2020 Japanese Fillies Triple Crown winner Daring Tact. Almond Eye blazed down the Tokyo Racecourse to claim her second Japan Cup in the final race of her career.
In 2021, Contrail won the 41st running of the Japan Cup in 2 minutes, 24.7 seconds on the final start of his career.
Recent Japan Cup Winners
Here’s more information on all Japan Cup winners since 2010:
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Contrail | 4 | Yuichi Fukunaga | Yoshito Yahagi | 2:24.7 |
| 2020 | Almond Eye | 5 | Christophe Lemaire | Sakae Kunieda | 2:23.0 |
| 2019 | Suave Richard | 5 | Oisin Murphy | Yasushi Shono | 2:25.9 |
| 2018 | Almond Eye | 3 | Christophe Lemaire | Sakae Kunieda | 2:20.6 |
| 2017 | Cheval Grand | 5 | Hugh Bowman | Yasuo Tomomichi | 2:23.7 |
| 2016 | Kitasan Black | 4 | Yutaka Take | Hisashi Shimizu | 2:25.8 |
| 2015 | Shonan Pandora | 4 | Kenichi Ikezoe | Tomokazu Takano | 2:24.7 |
| 2014 | Epiphaneia | 4 | Christophe Soumillon | Katsuhiko Sumii | 2:23.1 |
| 2013 | Gentildonna | 4 | Ryan Moore | Sei Ishizaka | 2:26.1 |
| 2012 | Gentildonna | 3 | Yasunari Iwata | Sei Ishizaka | 2:23.1 |
| 2011 | Buena Vista | 5 | Yasunari Iwata | Hiroyoshi Matsuda | 2:24.2 |
| 2010 | Rose Kingdom | 3 | Yutaka Take | Kojiro Hashiguchi | 2:25.2 |
Note: In 2010, Rose Kingdom finished second to Buena Vista but was promoted because of disqualification.
Ready to Bet on the 2022 Japan Cup?
The countdown to the 42nd running of the Japan Cup is on. We will update our Japan Cup betting guide with the latest odds and share our predictions for the invitational race when the field is confirmed.
In the meantime, join one of the best Japan Cup betting sites listed on this page and claim your bonus to bet on other major horse races.
FAQs
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About the author
Eric Roberts
Sports Journalist
Eric has been a sports journalist for over 20 years and has travelled the world covering top sporting events for a number of publications. He also has a passion for betting and uses his in-depth knowledge of the sports world to pinpoint outstanding odds and value betting opportunities.
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