Aoi Stakes

The Aoi Stakes (Japanese 葵ステークス) is a Grade 3 horse race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds organized by Japan Racing Association. It is run in late May over a distance of 1200 metres on turf at Kyoto Racecourse. Famous horses who have won the race include Calstone Light O and Lord Kanaloa. The race was first ran as Aoi Sho from 1985 until 1988 before it was renamed to Aoi Stakes. The distance was run at 1,400 meters from 1985 until 1995, then it was shortened to 1,200 meters from 1996 until 2001. The distance was once again increased to 1,400 meters from 2002 until 2009 then it was shortened back to its current distance at 1,200 meters. In 2018, the race was promoted to Grade status but was unable to obtain the current Grade 3 status until 2022.