Top milers contest the Mile Championship run at Kyoto on Sunday.

Soul Rush was an excellent global traveller at the trip. Are there more like her in the 2025 Mile Championship (1600m) at Kyoto on Sunday?

2025 MILE CHAMPIONSHIP - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Mile Championship is a Grade 1 race run under Set Weight conditions for three year olds and above at Kyoto racecourse conducted by the Japan Racing Association.

The Mile Championship is run over 1600m. It was first run in 1984 and was won by Nihon Pillow Winner.

The Mile Championship was worth JPY390,600,000 in 2025.

Maurice is the best recent winner of the Mile Championship. It was his lead up run to taking the Hong Kong Mile. That was one of the first confirmations of his outstanding ability.

Kyoto racecourse is a right handed course with the start at the top of the back straight.

In the 41 runnings, six horses have won dual editions – Gran Alegria the most recent.

The 3yos won in 2017/2018 and again in 2022 but it was back to 2000 for the previous winner.

International riders have had a great trot with the likes of Christophe Lemaire, Olivier Peslier, Ryan Moore, Mirco Demuro and William Buick all winning it.

Gran Alegria came off winning the Sprinters Stakes to score in 2020. She would win a Victoria Mile the following season and then end her career by winning this race again in 2021.

After Soul Rush won in 2024 he would be second in the Hong Kong Mile, win the Dubai Turf at Meydan and run well in the Yasuda Kinen.

Notable winners of the Mile Championship include Soul Rush (2024), Namur (2023), Serifos (2022), Gran Alegria (2020/2021), Indy Champ (2019), Mikki Isle (2016), Maurice (2015), Daiwa Major (2006/2007), Durandal (2003/2004), Zenno El Cid (2001), Taiki Shuttle (1997/1998), Genuine (1996), Daitaku Helios (1991/1992), Oguri Cap (1989) and Nihon Pillow Winner (1984/1985).

The 2024 Mile Championship was won by Soul Rush from Elton Barows and Win Marvel.