TOKYO racecourse, along with over 50,000 spectators, welcomed the first Group 1 of 2020 last weekend. A full field of 16 went to post for the February Stakes with over €800,000 on offer to the winner.

The February Stakes was accredited Group 1 status in 1997 and was the richest JRA dirt race until 2000. The other remaining Group 1 on dirt on the domestic racing calendar is the Japan Cup Dirt (renamed The Champion’s Cup in 2014) run in December.