Funabashi Keiba 2nd Meeting [May 4 (Mon/Holiday) - May 8 (Fri)] Featuring Kashiwa Kinen (JpnI) and Tokyo Bay Cup (SⅡ)!
Funabashi Keiba will hold its 2nd meeting of Reiwa 8 from May 4 (Mon/Holiday) to May 8 (Fri), 2026. This meeting will feature the 'Kashiwa Kinen (JpnI)' on May 5 (Tue/Holiday) and the 'Tokyo Bay Cup (SⅡ)' on May 6 (Wed/Holiday). The 'Kashiwa Kinen' is positioned as the 'Spring Dirt Mile King Deciding Race,' bringing together top horses from JRA and local horse racing. In recent years, held during Golden Week, it has recorded the highest attendance and sales, making it Funabashi Keiba's biggest JpnI race. Local Funabashi champions like Casino Fountain and Furioso have challenged central forces, creating numerous legendary battles and dramas on this stage. Please pay attention to this high-level, intense competition that you won't want to miss this year.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 10:40
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 02:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 04:01 (1h 59m after Collected)
Funabashi Keiba will hold its 2nd meeting of Reiwa 8 from May 4 (Mon/Holiday) to May 8 (Fri), 2026. This meeting will feature the 'Kashiwa Kinen (JpnI)' on May 5 (Tue/Holiday) and the 'Tokyo Bay Cup (SⅡ)' on May 6 (Wed/Holiday). The 'Kashiwa Kinen' is positioned as the 'Spring Dirt Mile King Deciding Race,' bringing together top horses from JRA and local horse racing. In recent years, held during Golden Week, it has recorded the highest attendance and sales, making it Funabashi Keiba's biggest JpnI race. Local Funabashi champions like Casino Fountain and Furioso have challenged central forces, creating numerous legendary battles and dramas on this stage. Please pay attention to this high-level, intense competition that you won't want to miss this year.
During the period, various events will be held, including kids' content such as pony petting experiences and bouncy castles for families, as well as a gourmet festival with food trucks! Furthermore, there will be diverse prize campaigns such as a scratch campaign to win original uniforms and a LINE registration campaign. In addition, live streaming 'Heartbeat Live' will be held during the event period, featuring various guests, providing content that can be enjoyed both inside and outside the venue.
■ What is the 'Kashiwa Kinen (JpnI)' held on May 5?
Established in 1989 to commemorate the first Chiba Prefectural Horse Racing held at Kashiwa Racecourse. High-level competitions were held by top horses from JRA and local horse racing, such as Abukuma Polo, Toshin Blizzard, and Sterling Rose. Since being upgraded to GI in 2005, JRA-affiliated horses have often dominated the top ranks, with dirt champions like Espoir City, Hokko Tarumae, Copano Rickey, and Gold Dream achieving victories. However, local Funabashi Racecourse horses such as Adjudi Mitsuo, Furioso, and Casino Fountain have also won, proving the high level of local talent. Among jockeys, Takayuki Ishizaki, formerly of Funabashi Racecourse, holds the most wins with a total of 5 victories. Yutaka Take, a JRA jockey, and Tetsuzo Sato, formerly of JRA, are tied for second with 3 victories each.
Last year, Shamal, ridden by jockey Eihiko Kawasu, made a brilliant escape to achieve consecutive victories.
■ What is the 'Tokyo Bay Cup (SⅡ)' held on May 6?
Established in 1987 as a major race for 4-year-old horses (now 3-year-olds) over 2,000m on dirt at Funabashi Racecourse, commemorating the start of the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line construction and the development of the Tokyo Bay Line into the 21st century. Until the 17th meeting, it was held every December as a festival race where 4-year-old horses who had won various major races competed for their last major victory of the year. From April 10, 2026, the holding period was changed to May, and it was designated as a trial race for the Tokyo Derby (JpnI: Ohi Racecourse), with the winner receiving preferential entry rights to the Tokyo Derby. Among jockeys, Takayuki Ishizaki, formerly of Funabashi Racecourse, holds the most wins with a total of 6 victories, and together with his son Shun Ishizaki, also formerly of Funabashi Racecourse, who has 2 victories, they have a total of 8 wins.
Last year, Kenshi Rainbow (Funabashi, Yuta Sato stable), the 3rd favorite ridden by jockey Yuki Yamanaka, won.
《Award Ceremony / Retirement Ceremony》
《Tomohisa Yamashita to visit 'Kashiwa Kinen' held on May 5 (Tue/Holiday)!》
It has been decided that Tomohisa Yamashita will visit the Kashiwa Kinen (JpnI) held at Funabashi Racecourse on May 5 (Tue/Holiday). On the day, he will appear as a presenter for the Kashiwa Kinen, adding glamour to the race. Please pay attention to this special moment, limited to this day.
Brand CMs and radio broadcasts to witness emotional moments are also enhanced!
'Funabashi Multi-Screen' also available for 'Kashiwa Kinen' at your favorite time!
《Brand CMs to be broadcast on terrestrial and BS from May 1 (Fri)!》
The new TV CM 'HEART BEAT' featuring Tomohisa Yamashita, the new ambassador for Funabashi Keiba, will start broadcasting on terrestrial and BS from May 1 (Fri), 2026! Furthermore, the popular rock band 'MAN WITH A MISSION's' 'Raise your flag' has been adopted as the theme song.
This new brand CM will start broadcasting from May 1 (Fri) on Nippon TV, TV Tokyo, and other terrestrial channels, as well as BS11.
《CM Broadcast Schedule》
◾️Terrestrial Broadcast
Nippon TV Spot: May 1 (Fri) - May 8 (Fri)
TV Tokyo Spot: May 1 (Fri) - May 8 (Fri)
TV Tokyo: May 2 (Sat) 'Winning Keiba'
Kansai TV: May 3 (Sun/Holiday) 'Keiba BEAT'
Tokai TV: May 3 (Sun/Holiday) 'Keiba BEAT'
TV Nishi-Nippon: May 3 (Sun/Holiday) 'Keiba BEAT'
Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting: May 3 (Sun/Holiday) 'Minna no KE
During the period, various events will be held, including kids' content such as pony petting experiences and bouncy castles for families, as well as a gourmet festival with food trucks! Furthermore, there will be diverse prize campaigns such as a scratch campaign to win original uniforms and a LINE registration campaign. In addition, live streaming 'Heartbeat Live' will be held during the event period, featuring various guests, providing content that can be enjoyed both inside and outside the venue.
■ What is the 'Kashiwa Kinen (JpnI)' held on May 5?
Established in 1989 to commemorate the first Chiba Prefectural Horse Racing held at Kashiwa Racecourse. High-level competitions were held by top horses from JRA and local horse racing, such as Abukuma Polo, Toshin Blizzard, and Sterling Rose. Since being upgraded to GI in 2005, JRA-affiliated horses have often dominated the top ranks, with dirt champions like Espoir City, Hokko Tarumae, Copano Rickey, and Gold Dream achieving victories. However, local Funabashi Racecourse horses such as Adjudi Mitsuo, Furioso, and Casino Fountain have also won, proving the high level of local talent. Among jockeys, Takayuki Ishizaki, formerly of Funabashi Racecourse, holds the most wins with a total of 5 victories. Yutaka Take, a JRA jockey, and Tetsuzo Sato, formerly of JRA, are tied for second with 3 victories each.
Last year, Shamal, ridden by jockey Eihiko Kawasu, made a brilliant escape to achieve consecutive victories.
■ What is the 'Tokyo Bay Cup (SⅡ)' held on May 6?
Established in 1987 as a major race for 4-year-old horses (now 3-year-olds) over 2,000m on dirt at Funabashi Racecourse, commemorating the start of the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line construction and the development of the Tokyo Bay Line into the 21st century. Until the 17th meeting, it was held every December as a festival race where 4-year-old horses who had won various major races competed for their last major victory of the year. From April 10, 2026, the holding period was changed to May, and it was designated as a trial race for the Tokyo Derby (JpnI: Ohi Racecourse), with the winner receiving preferential entry rights to the Tokyo Derby. Among jockeys, Takayuki Ishizaki, formerly of Funabashi Racecourse, holds the most wins with a total of 6 victories, and together with his son Shun Ishizaki, also formerly of Funabashi Racecourse, who has 2 victories, they have a total of 8 wins.
Last year, Kenshi Rainbow (Funabashi, Yuta Sato stable), the 3rd favorite ridden by jockey Yuki Yamanaka, won.
《Award Ceremony / Retirement Ceremony》
《Tomohisa Yamashita to visit 'Kashiwa Kinen' held on May 5 (Tue/Holiday)!》
It has been decided that Tomohisa Yamashita will visit the Kashiwa Kinen (JpnI) held at Funabashi Racecourse on May 5 (Tue/Holiday). On the day, he will appear as a presenter for the Kashiwa Kinen, adding glamour to the race. Please pay attention to this special moment, limited to this day.
Brand CMs and radio broadcasts to witness emotional moments are also enhanced!
'Funabashi Multi-Screen' also available for 'Kashiwa Kinen' at your favorite time!
《Brand CMs to be broadcast on terrestrial and BS from May 1 (Fri)!》
The new TV CM 'HEART BEAT' featuring Tomohisa Yamashita, the new ambassador for Funabashi Keiba, will start broadcasting on terrestrial and BS from May 1 (Fri), 2026! Furthermore, the popular rock band 'MAN WITH A MISSION's' 'Raise your flag' has been adopted as the theme song.
This new brand CM will start broadcasting from May 1 (Fri) on Nippon TV, TV Tokyo, and other terrestrial channels, as well as BS11.
《CM Broadcast Schedule》
◾️Terrestrial Broadcast
Nippon TV Spot: May 1 (Fri) - May 8 (Fri)
TV Tokyo Spot: May 1 (Fri) - May 8 (Fri)
TV Tokyo: May 2 (Sat) 'Winning Keiba'
Kansai TV: May 3 (Sun/Holiday) 'Keiba BEAT'
Tokai TV: May 3 (Sun/Holiday) 'Keiba BEAT'
TV Nishi-Nippon: May 3 (Sun/Holiday) 'Keiba BEAT'
Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting: May 3 (Sun/Holiday) 'Minna no KE