On Sunday, 28 December 2025, the curtain came down on the Japanese racing year in fitting fashion as Museum Mile delivered a stirring late surge to win the Arima Kinen (G1) at Japan Racing Association’s (JRA) Nakayama Racecourse, securing the most coveted prize of the season in front of a packed year-end crowd.
The Museum Mile Arima Kinen 2025 will be remembered as one of the most compelling finishes in the race’s long and storied history. Racing’s traditional “All-Star” finale once again lived up to its reputation, and it was the three-year-old son of Leontes who produced the defining moment. Settled well off the pace and forced to bide his time, Museum Mile powered through the closing stages to claim his second top-level success of the year, adding the Arima Kinen to his spring triumph in the Satsuki Sho.
From gate four, Museum Mile was a fraction slow into stride and found himself anchored toward the rear of the field in the early stages. Cristian Demuro allowed the colt to find his rhythm, tracking Danon Decile for much of the journey while conserving energy on the testing Nakayama circuit. As the field swung into the final two turns, Demuro angled his mount wide, committing early to an outside run that would prove decisive.
The response was immediate. Museum Mile lengthened with authority, producing a powerful final three furlongs that matched the fastest sectional of the race. One by one, rivals were reeled in. Danon Decile was first to yield, and in the final strides Cosmo Kuranda — who had taken control at the head of affairs — was collared just before the line. The verdict was a half-length, but the impression was emphatic.
Cosmo Kuranda, sent off at longer odds, emerged with considerable credit in second. Racing prominently throughout, he briefly struck the front at the top of the straight and battled on bravely, only surrendering in the shadow of the post. Danon Decile followed them home in third, a neck further back, after covering ground with a bold mid-race move. Defending champion Regaleira, hampered by a poor start and traffic late, closed strongly to take fourth, finishing less than a length behind the winner.
For trainer Daisuke Takayanagi, the victory marked a fourth JRA-G1 success and underlined a season of remarkable consistency from Museum Mile. The colt’s 2025 campaign had already featured a classic victory, a strong second against older horses in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), and now a triumphant finale against the deepest field of the year.
Demuro, speaking after the race, reflected on both patience and redemption. Having finished agonisingly close in last year’s renewal, he described the win as deeply satisfying, noting Museum Mile’s affinity for Nakayama and praising the horse’s courage in the final stretch. The timing could hardly have been more symbolic — a landmark 70th edition of the Arima Kinen, decided by a performance that will be replayed for years to come.
In a race that routinely defines reputations, Museum Mile has now firmly etched his name into Japanese racing history. His Arima Kinen victory was not merely a closing act to the season at JRA, but a statement of class, resilience, and maturity from a colt who continues to rise.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to racebuzz