View Full Version : Riding in Japan
I'm the agent for Robbie Fradd , one of South Africa's top jockey's and recent Hong Kong champion. Having ridden almost anywhere in the world , I would like to know whether jockey's get invited to Japan by the club or can we apply for Robbie to go ride in Japan ?
your comments dont even make sense.
besides if you really were acting in the best interests of your client you would be sitting in HK waiting nervously for the outcome of the race-fixing trial.
Steppin Short
08-10-2002, 20:36
It is invitation only to ride in Japan, under Fradds current circumstances, regardless of the ICAC outcome, it would be highly unlikely he would have a chance of securing an invitation.
Horny Harry
08-10-2002, 21:49
I asked a friend via email if he could be of any assistance.
Here is his reply...
My guess is that he would need to be invited by JRA, but I think that would
not be a problem if he told them he was interested. Was he the rider of
Fairy King Prawn or any of the other HK horses when they came to Japan? If
he was, it would be fairly easy I would think, as many would remember him.
I can ask around - racing circle wise, if you think thats a good idea....
Please let me know.
i think the starter of this topic is a fraud, i cant believe you people are taking it seriously
Horny Harry
03-11-2002, 18:05
Another winner in Japan for Whiteley
Gold Coast jockey Chris Whiteley was again in the winners circle at Ohi in Japan on Friday night.
Whiteley won on the 5-1 chance Kay I Tenu on Friday night to make his record during his current riding contract to six wins, two seconds, nine thirds and ten fourths from 80 rides in the two months he has been in Japan.
Whiteley will now be returning to the Gold Coast on November 21 which is two weeks earlier than he initially planned and fellow Gold Coast jockey Dean Tanti will then head to Japan to take up a three month contract in Whiteley's place.
By: Ray See - Sunday, 3 November 2002
Handy Harry
13-01-2003, 09:00
On February 11, the 18th graduation ceremony was held for 10 new jockeys at the JRA Horse Racing School.
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/topics/image/t10077_1.jpg http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/topics/image/t10077_2.jpg
One by one, the new graduates raced over a 1,400-meter course at the speeds of an actual race, to demonstrate the results of their training. The event was watched by a large number of guests, including their parents, family members, JRA trainers and the staff of their future as well as, members of the mass media, school instructors, and JRA officials.
Fumiaki Shibahara (age 18), was selected the outstanding graduate of the school and was given a special award by the Deputy Irish Ambassador, Mr. Michael Gaffey. Following graduation, the new graduates will be assigned as jockeys to stables at either the Miho or Ritto Training Centers. They will exclusively represent the stable of their sponsoring in JRA races.
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/topics/image/t10077_3.jpg
The three-year Jockey Course accepts new graduated junior high school students. Horseracing, being so popular, attracts a large number of applicants and the competition caused by the large number of aspirants makes for an extremely difficult admission test. Indeed, the ratio of successful applicants is about one in 25.
Most students who are accepted have no prior experience at horse riding. At the school, the students acquire all the knowledge necessary for horse riding including basic horse riding techniques, fundamental knowledge on how to look after horses, and advanced horse racing equestrian techniques as well as a general education which will be required of them as adults and jockeys.
The Jockey Course, which was established in March 1982, has a 20-year history. Most jockeys currently active in JRA races have graduated from this school. This includes such notables as: Norihiro Yokoyama (a graduate of the second class), the world renown Yutaka Take and Masayoshi Ebina (both graduates of the third class), Hirofumi Shii (a graduate of the seventh class) and Yuichi Fukunaga (a graduate of the twelfth class).
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/topics/image/t10077_4.jpg
The three-year Jockey Course accepts new graduated junior high school students. Horseracing, being so popular, attracts a large number of applicants and the competition caused by the large number of aspirants makes for an extremely difficult admission test. Indeed, the ratio of successful applicants is about one in 25.
Most students who are accepted have no prior experience at horse riding. At the school, the students acquire all the knowledge necessary for horse riding including basic horse riding techniques, fundamental knowledge on how to look after horses, and advanced horse racing equestrian techniques as well as a general education which will be required of them as adults and jockeys.
The Jockey Course, which was established in March 1982, has a 20-year history. Most jockeys currently active in JRA races have graduated from this school. This includes such notables as: Norihiro Yokoyama (a graduate of the second class), the world renown Yutaka Take and Masayoshi Ebina (both graduates of the third class), Hirofumi Shii (a graduate of the seventh class) and Yuichi Fukunaga (a graduate of the twelfth class).
If the question were asked whether the same bright future that greeted some of their seniors is guaranteed for new graduates, the answer is definately, "No" In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that it is the top jockeys who are winning most of the JRA races. Statistically, the top 20 jockeys have been winning about 50% of all races. This has created a trend of a year-on-year decline in the number of jockeys, and today the total number of active JRA jockeys stands at 175.
Furthermore, the short-term licensing system for foreign jockeys has created a situation in which leading foreign jockeys such as Oliver Peslier and Kent Desormeaux have been winning a large number of races. Also, the exchanges with local horse racing have been promoted to such an extent that the distinguished performances of leading NAR licensed jockeys can no longer be ignored.
As outlined above, the new lifestyle on which the new jockeys will embark has become increasingly difficult. They face severe competition. As the word "graduate" which means the beginning of serious learning in life, suggests, we should very much look forward in following the future efforts and the devotion to the sport of these new jockeys as they progress in perfecting their horse racing techniques
http://www.jra.go.jp/school/top_image/uma.jpg
Jockey School ( in Japanese) but some good pictures (http://www.jra.go.jp/school/annai/annai.html)
CLICK ON " BAKEN GUIDE" for a video on how to bet ( in Japanese but a bit of fun) (http://www.jra.go.jp/flash-index.html)
Handy Harry
07-02-2003, 08:11
By Andrew Eddy
February 7 2003
Australia's champion jockey Damien Oliver will try to build on his immense international reputation later this season when he takes up a rare three-month contract to ride in Japan.
Although Oliver last night said details of the trip were still to be verified, he confirmed he had accepted the offer from the Japan Racing Association. He will begin his stint sometime after the Sydney Easter carnival in late April.
http://www.theage.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1044498924229_2003/02/07/7s_Oliver,0.jpg
"I am really looking forward to it," Oliver said last night.
"There have been a few European riders who have been going regularly to Japan lately, but I think only Alf Matthews and Chris Munce from Australia have ridden there for any period of time, so it's a great opportunity.
"I was keen to go for a similar stint last year but I had a knee injury and decided to pass it up. But I really do like riding over there, so I was very happy to be given the chance again this year."
http://www.smh.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1036308306519_2002/11/05/sport_cup02copy,0.jpg
Oliver, 31, has become one of the most recognisable faces in world racing over the past few years as he has matched his skills against the best riders in the world in England, Ireland, Hong Kong and for a handful of brief stints in Japan.
His reputation as a rider of outstanding ability swelled further throughout the world when he rode a faultless race on Irish stayer Media Puzzle to win the Melbourne Cup in November - only seven days after the death of his older brother Jason.
Oliver said last night that he had ridden in as many as five jockeys' series in Japan since his first trip there to ride Naturalism in the Japan Cup in 1993.
It is believed long-time friend and television sports producer David McGrath will travel with Oliver and film a documentary on his Japan stay.
While the Japan trip will further Oliver's career, it will place in doubt his attempt at a seventh Melbourne jockeys' premiership.
He holds just a 61/2-win lead over arch-rival Brett Prebble in the race for this season's premiership.
This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/06/1044498914309.html
http://ca.yimg.com/i/ca/reuters/20021105/i/470507543.jpg
specialweek
07-02-2003, 16:06
Very interesting article and to the best of my knowledge the JRA does not invite anyone to ride on these 3 month contracts.
The jockey or his manager have to be sponsored by a trainer and another guarantor to ride here. The JRA merely processes the engagement if and when the jock arrives.
I am not aware of which trainer has made the offer but I will check it out.
It is a very different lifestyle for jockeys here as they are locked up in dorms thursday night with no mobile phone or computer until after they finish riding on the Sunday.
But the financial rewards are so great the confinement is just a part of the gig. Olivier Peslier has probably bought homes, cars and already paid for his babies college education with the success he has had.
I remember last year hearing that Damien and his girlfriend liked the idea of coming to Japan for a stint.
Good luck to him if he's coming
http://www.racenet.com.au/oliver-damien-FP1.jpg
Jockey Damien Oliver is looking forward to his trip to Japan.
The jockey is being sponsored by owner Katsumi Yoshida who owns Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido.
One of the main trainers Oliver will be riding for is Kazuhiro Seishi and he'll be based in Tokyo. Manager Bruce Clark said: "It'll be great experience for Damien and it's another mountain to climb in his career. It'll certainly be different than riding here, but Chris Munce went for six weeks and he enjoyed it. Damien has been on different occassions for various internationals races so it won't be completely new to him"
"He has three, one month contracts and he can use those really as and when he chooses. The Japan Racing Association have been very helpful and flexible in the arrangement.
"At this stage he is due there on April 26, which means he'll miss the Oaks and the Sydney Cup, but as I said it's flexible so we'll wait and see how things are at the time."
By: Jo Adams - Tuesday, 18 March 2003
By Ben Hills
April 5 2003
Jack, an old-time punter with a cigarette clinging to the corner of his mouth, a form guide stuffed in his back pocket and a wad of betting tickets in his top pocket, grunts approval as his horse lunges across the line. He squints at the race-book in his hand.
"Good on yer, Ray-o-hay," he says, as a jubilant Ryohei Hatano, a tall, pencil-slim teenager rides his mount, Captain Midnight, back to the winners enclosure at the Ballina racecourse on a wintry Saturday afternoon.
The Owen Pedwin Class Six handicap over 1600 metres is hardly the Melbourne Cup, but for Hatano, an 18-year-old from Kyoto, Japan, it's a piece of history - his first win.
http://www.smh.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1048962936340_2003/04/04/spt_jockey030405.jpg
Student jockey Maki Sugimoto: "In Japan the trainers say women are no good, not strong enough, but here they give you a chance." Photo: Heath Missen
For country race-goers like Jack, it is their first encounter with an Asian jockey.
And for the Australian Racing Institute, it is a milestone on the road to establishing Australia's newest tertiary education venture, an international academy for jockeys, strappers, trainers, farriers and all the other skills of the sport of kings.
Based on the outskirts of Murwillumbah, the institute is the brainchild of Joanne Hambrook, who made a small fortune in making complementary medicines and decided five years ago to invest some of it in the racing industry.
"World-wide, the number one problem in the industry is to get good staff," Ms Hambrook says. "There is also a demand, particularly in Asia, for best-practice training, which is what we are aiming at. It was a natural fit."
As well as the stables just across the road from the Murwillumbah racecourse, Ms Hambrook has bought a 1500-hectare North Coast property, Tanglewood, and owns or manages some 200 horses for her students to work with.
More than 100 students have now passed through the academy. There are about 20 there at any one time, mainly from Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. The courses typically last two years, with tuition and accommodation taking the annual bill to about $30,000.
Stables manager and trainer Darren Graham is full of praise for his students. "I shouldn't be saying this, but they are very good workers, they never whinge and they look after the horses," he says. "Australians just want to collect their pay and get out, but Asians live for racing."
The students spend their first year learning the game from the bottom up, getting out of bed at 5am, mucking out the stables, practicing on a state-of-the-art mechanical bronco that can simulate a 60kmh gallop. The second year they start serious riding, hoping in year three to be taken on as apprentices.
Hatano is the star pupil, who, since that first win, has chalked up another eight at country race meetings. He came to Australia because he was too tall to make the Japan Racing Association's strict criteria for apprentices. He says only 15 are selected every year from 500 or 600 wannabes.
He has not decided where he wants to race when (he hopes) he gets his jockey's licence later this year, but he fancies Australia.
"Australian horses are more gentle, he says. "In Japan they have more stallions - they kick and bite you all the time."
Maki Sugimoto, a 19-year-old from Osaka, also came to Australia because she had no hope of being accepted as an apprentice in Japan. Although the racing association lifted its ban on female jockeys in 1996, only one out of 175 jockeys today is a woman.
"In Japan the trainers say women are no good, not strong enough, but here they give you a chance," she says.
Graham says his students - not just the jockeys, but other trades - have been well accepted by the industry.
"The phone never stops," he says. "I am getting at least two calls a day from trainers looking for people."
Story By Bruce Clark
Tuesday, 22 April 2003: Champion jockey Damien Oliver arrives in Japan today and will start his three month riding stint on Sunday in a Group 2 event.
Oliver will have his first ride in Sunday's G2 Sanki Sports Sho Flora Stakes at Fuchu racecouse in Tokyo. His mount will be confirmed after licensing is completed on Thursday.
A careless riding suspension that Oliver is currently serving expires on Saturday night.
Oliver has taken up a three month contract hosted by Japan's leading owner Katsumi Yoshida.
The trainer he rides out for is Kazuhiro Seishi, though Oliver will also be available for outside rides.
He has appointed a local agent in Yuki Kawakami to handle his rides during his stay.
This is the seventh riding visit to Japan for Oliver, having previously made flying visits for jockey invitation races, a Japan Cup and more recently for mounts on Australian star Testa Rossa in two races.
"It is quite exciting heading to Japan and basically starting off again, there are no heads starts over there but I have a good owner and a good agent to help," Oliver said.
"It is similar to my experience a few years back in England and Ireland where the opportunities were limited but the experience I gained was invaluable.
"I am sure that trip improved my riding and I am hoping for the same out of this stint in Japan.
“It is a world class racing centre, perhaps even more competitive than Hong Kong and I am looking forward to the challenge."
Oliver currently leads the Melbourne premiership though he is resigned to be overhauled in the last three months of the season.
He will be back to start the 2003/2004 season in August.
Go to ejockey.com.au
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Story from www.aapracingandsports.com.au, click here for more.
Handy Harry
04-05-2003, 21:54
Oliver's performance 1st day in Tokyo
Race
1. 4th
2. 6th
3. 3rd
4. 8th
5. 6th
7. 2nd
8. 5th
9. 3rd
10. 11th
12. 4th
Some good work on a few of these as almost all were not in the top 4 favourites.
From: specialweek in response to Message 22 Sent: 4/05/2003 11:20 PM
D. Oliver rode his first winner Sunday in Japan in his 3 month contract and also rode three 2nds and a 3rd. So far has not drawn any real standout horses but is getting all his mounts to the line strongly with some paying nice place divs.
The winner was in a maiden, a 10/1 shot.
http://www.smh.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1036308316957_2002/11/05/home-damienoliver.jpg
From: specialweek Sent: 11/05/2003 6:52 PM
Another winner Sunday for Damien Oliver. A tough day at the office with 11 rides.
His runner finished 10th in the G1, 5 lengths from the winner.
Handy Harry
12-05-2003, 11:32
It was another productive weekend in Japan for Damien Oliver.
He had 8 rides on Saturday at Tokyo, winning the 12th race on the even money favourite Try One's Luck. It was even better news on Sunday when Oliver won his first Japanese stakes race on the Fairy King horse Hishi Fair Lady in a 1400m 3YO race called the Wakaayo Sho. She was a $12 chance on the local tote in a race worth $19.6m yen.
on the 12/1 shot Hishi Fair Lady (Tony Bin) in the Listed Wakaayu Sho over 1400m.
The Group 1 NHK Mile was won by Win Kruger, which gave the Devil’s Bag stallion Taiki Shuttle his first G 1 success.
Burghclere, the granddam of Win Kruger is a full sister to Height of Fashion the dam of Nashwan, Unfuwain and Nayef and a half sister to Wily Trick the dam of the recent Hong Derby winner Elegant Fashion (Danewin).
From a Derby viewpoint the run of the runner-up Eishin Tsurugizan was eye-catching. The son Sakura Bakushin O came into the race as a last start winner of the Listed A$716,000 New Zealand Trophy stakes at Nakayama on April 12.
On Saturday he won a race on the dirt aboard Try One's Luck which ran as a $2.10 chance on the local tote.
It was a long weekend for Oliver with 20 rides over the two days but he is more than happy with his progres in Japan.
On day one he had 10 rides for four placings, last weekend he had 14 rides for a winner and eight weigh-in rides.
"I've got a nice ride in the Japanese Oaks coming up but am searching for a ride in the Derby but I can't fault the way I have been recieved," Oliver said tonight.
"But I have to keep working hard and am looking forward to the challenge, the big races are on the doorstpe and I'd love to get a good opportunity. Riding winners so soon in my trip can only help that goal."
By: Mark Smith - Sunday, 11 May 2003
From: InJapan2 in response to Message 41 Sent: 14/05/2003 11:42 AM
Oliver has got the ride on Sushi Train Saturday week! This is the horse that has all the same connections as El Condor Pasa, and was planning to head to the US to tackle the later legs of the triple crown before a mystery defeat.
Don't know how Oliver managed to get the ride, but if the horse is back to normal it should be a guaranteed extra winner for him. Its just an open dirt race, and as far as I know the other dirt big guns won't be running, so it should be a walk in the park. He will be long odds on, so Oliver won't be in anyone's good books if he loses - bit of pressure there.
Handy Harry
17-05-2003, 15:37
From: specialweek Sent: 17/05/2003 5:22 PM
Saturday D.Oliver 10 rides two winners, one second, two 3rds and two 4ths.
Locals are starting to take notice especially getting roughies into a place.
Handy Harry
19-05-2003, 09:01
Damien Oliver update Sunday in Tokyo.......5 rides, one 2nd and two 4ths. btw, taking him to the sumo this week.
From: InJapan2 Sent: 19/05/2003 10:41 AM
Midtown finished 4th. The race was won by Telegnosis who is by Tony Bin. Tony Bin's record is amazing at Tokyo - 11 of his 13 progeny's G1 wins have been at Tokyo, and Telegnosis has only ever won there. He carried 59kgs, and I was hoping he would run on well but finish just behind the placings so I could back him in the Yasuda Kinen, but he won, so he'll be short now.
It looked to me that they tried to hold back Midtown to get him ready for the 1600m next start, but I don't think he appreciated it. He held on well, not losing any ground (apart from the winner) but not making any either. He may not even get a run in the Yasuda now, cause he probably doesn't have enough prizemoney (he may squeeze in though - as there are no international entries)...
The Oaks this week - the race I have been looking forward to all year...
Handy Harry
16-06-2003, 08:22
Damien Oliver has concluded his time in Japan.
Saturday 6 rides best a 4th, Sunday 5 rides three 4th's and a 5th, best a 4th in G3 Epsom.
Oliver received a 3 week suspension after a ride on Saturday where in his words " shaved a little too much off another runner", means that he will take a break and then return to Oz to ride horses with better chances of winning.
Overall finished with 8 winners but only a few of his mounts were anywhere near fav or 2nd fav.
I believe a valuable experience for this soon to be 31 yr old. I hope he makes a return next year as it takes time to be accepted here by owners and trainers.
;) :p ;)
Handy Harry
17-06-2003, 11:37
Jockey Damien Oliver has been suspended in Japan for three weeks after being found guilty of careless riding on Saturday.
Manager Bruce Clark reports that the rider will now head home:
"It's a standard suspension of three weekends, apparently they just call the jockey in and say 'you're suspended' there's no inquiry like we have here, it's all very different.
"He was going to have a holiday before the start of our season anyway so he'll do that now and be back for the first week in Melbourne.
"He can finish off his time in Japan later on in the season if he wants to. He's had a great time, rode eight winners and it's been a great experience for him."
By: Jo Adams - Tuesday, 17 June 2003
Oliver Peslier returns to Japan under a short term JRA Jockey's License
The Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced that a short-term riding jockey's license was issued to French jockey, Oliver Peslier. This short-term riding license will be effective from October 25 to November 24, 2003.
He will be primarily riding for Owner, Takao Komai and host trainer, Kazuo Fujisawa, from JRA's Miho Training Center.
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/topics/image/t10164.jpg
By Darren Beadman ,December 12, 2003
Jockeys in the United States may know little about Australian racing but the thick, grey eyebrows of one of our icons have been noticed. It came to light on a trip to Japan last weekend for the World Jockeys Super Series.
A Chilean based in New York named Jose Santos knows a bit about our man. You might remember Jose and this year's Kentucky Derby victory aboard an outsider named Funny Cide, and recall the uproar surrounding a battery.
Jose laughed it off last weekend. The unwanted worldwide Kentucky Derby headlines followed a picture being published which had many believing Santos was carrying a battery. A "jigger" in racing slang.
As the story grew, racing officials in Kentucky had no option but to follow it through. Stewards found nothing amiss. Jose's Kentucky Derby triumph will be forever remembered.
Chatting with Jose and fellow invitees to the Japan round-up last Sunday when the two-day series had concluded was quite fascinating. We were at a Japanese barbecue. It was a ripper, too.
Anyway, I mentioned the Melbourne Cup to Jose. He didn't know a lot about it but I told him we had a trainer Down Under who'd won the nation-stopping race - the Americans' version of the Kentucky Derby - 11 times.
"Yes, is that the man with big, bushy grey eyebrows," Jose replied.
The 42-year-old sure knows about Bart Cummings. Not knowing much about the Melbourne Cup shouldn't surprise when you think of the workload jockeys like Jose undertake in the US.
Take Edgar Prado. The 36-year-old from Peru has ridden over 4800 winners. A staggering amount by our standards but it gets a whole lot better. In one season Edgar rode 540 winners. Can you believe it? Australian jockeys are happy if they get that many rides a year.
And there's more. The season Edgar booted home that many he had a strike rate of around 33 per cent. One winner every three rides.
To put that in perspective, I'm working on one in four. It is a goal but one in three is incredible.
Also riding out of New York is Jerry Bailey and Pat Day. They don't come much bigger or better. The boys ride five days a week. And they sometimes ride in the day and again that night. Jose brought his valet with him to Japan. Closing in on 70, Eddy F. Brown was a yarn-teller from the best of schools.
Our man Eddy, also a valet for Jerry and Pat, once worked for the cosmetic queen Elizabeth Arden. The lady raced a string of racehorses in the 1960s. Reports abound the nags were treated with skin tonics, lotions and creams. Music was piped into their stables. Apparently her horses were not allowed to wear blinkers for it marred their beauty.
The four-race jockey series was competitive. Unfortunately, I only got to ride in three races as they didn't get enough runners in one race. I was balloted out and the points system meant there was little hope of challenging rivals, including our man Damien Oliver. He finished second overall behind the local 37-year-old Yoshitomi Shibata.
Damien won a race while the best I could do was a close second. Beaten in a photo but it definitely was an eye-opener. Champion jockey Kieren Fallon, the Irishman riding for Great Britain, and the brilliant 22-year-old Frenchman Christophe Soumillon made sure of it.
I followed them early in the mile-and-a-half (2400 metres) race on grass. Christophe, who rides for the Aga Khan, stitched me up at the first corner but I was more than happy to follow him.
Didn't Christophe and Kieren have a bit of fun? The Irishman was on the inside and keen to get out at the corner. Christophe, who won the Arc de Triomphe in October, may have been giving away age and experience but the lad was giving as good as he was getting. The pair pushed and shoved while I got going but unfortunately we went down in a photo, happy knowing I'd given my mount every chance.
It was in the market at around $8 or $9 and it was my only realistic chance out of the three rides. On the opening day, Saturday, I had one ride over 2200m on dirt. I walked into the enclosure and was greeted with a horse wearing blinkers. Not genuine, I thought to myself.
The trainer had one instruction. It arrived with emphasis. The horse had to lead. If it doesn't lead it is no chance. He was spot-on. The horse inside me drew one and I could just get to the fence in front.
My horse was in the race until the 600m mark. Then it was over. Believe me when I tell you riding on dirt requires a different level of fitness. You've got to get to work on your mount so far out from the winning post.
You don't ride as tight but you are working on them all the time. Pushing them a long way from home. Horses chop and change stride a lot more on the dirt and attention is required at all times. You must think a lot more. You want to eliminate kickback for your horse to make it feel comfortable.
And Edgar told me the dirt in Japan is much softer than that in the US. More powdery, he said. Obviously it is good for the horse's joints but it makes for average times. They were running around 12.7 seconds to the furlong (200m).
Edgar said the softer conditions made the kickback kind. US tracks are a mixture of dirt and clay. Our mate reckoned little pellets flew back when riding at home. In Japan it was not the case.
And didn't the Japan Racing Association put on a show? From the time my wife Kim and I jumped off the plane we were pampered. Didn't even have to lift a suitcase. The locals were very hospitable.
My first stop was at the marvellous training centre at Ritto. Headquarters of the JRA and it was there I got my licence to ride. The chief steward had one warning for me and that amounted to be back in my hotel on Friday at 4pm. I was not to leave.
You see the local riders venture to a compound on the day before a race meeting.
Officials don't want jockeys talking to the press or the huge betting public. Integrity is of paramount importance. They want jockeys to concentrate on what is coming up.
From Japan it was off to Hong Kong and this weekend's international meeting.
It is getting bigger and better every year. Even Jose knows that.
As told to Craig Young
This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/11/1071125592621.html
His name has long been equivalent with the best, a virtual synonym for racing at the highest level.
Yutaka Take has been setting new records and toppling old since shortly after his debut, getting there the fastest, the youngest, the most often.
Last month, on Dec. 27, yet another record bit the dust as the 34-year-old Take brought Win Progress(JPN) over the Hanshin finish line in first place.
In doing so Take became the first jockey in the history of the Japan Racing Association to notch 200 wins in a single year.
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/topics/image/t40005_01.jpg
Take rewrote the previous record for most wins in a year by a longshot.
The previous best was his own178 firsts in 1999. Since that time, Take had taken to spending part of the year abroad, in the United States, and more recently, in France, which naturally cut into his stats in Japan.
This past fall, seeing the 200 win mark was within reach, Take decided to stay on home turf and take on the challenge.
On Dec. 27, he not only reached the mark but tacked on an additional three wins the same day to increase his lead to 203.
The following week he brought home another winner to wrap up the year with a total 204 victories.
Take had a total 866 mounts for 2003, which put his winning average for the year at 0.236. With 128 second-place finishes, Take's win-place average was a formidable 0.383.
In his usual modest recognition of success, Take made light of his feat. Though very pleased with his accomplishment, he said, "If you look at all the good horses I was given to ride, the number is certainly nothing to be surprised at."
Take's accomplishment came amidst growing competition, as foreign jockeys gain an ever-stronger foothold in Japan and top riders from local racing make the switch to the major league.
Take, in true professional form, has welcomed the heightened competition, saying it has only spurred him to raise his own sights, to push himself further.
With 200 wins, Take pushed himself far beyond an already rare few. Tallying 100 wins alone in Japan's national level racing is unusual.
Only five other riders topped the 100-win mark in 2003; Yoshitomi Shibata ,Katsumi Ando, Shinji Fujita and Masayoshi Ebina.
In the past 25 years only four other JRA riders have surpassed 130 wins for the year, each only once. During that time, Take not only surpassed 130 wins, he did it 12 times over.
Racing Reporter Barbara J. Bayer
Another story by same author on Ferdinand (http://www.habitatforhorses.org/news/searchferdinand.html)
http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/topics/t40005.html
Unconfirmed reports that Damien Oliver is about to head back to Japan and has accepted an offer to be number one rider for the successful Kazuo Fujisawa stable in Japan. Stay tuned!
Japanese jumps jockey Takashi Takemoto died last Friday from brain damage after spending five days in a coma following a fall at Nakayama racecourse, Tokyo. He was 20 years of age.
Takemoto suffered head injuries when his mount landed on top of him in the aftermath of a horror fall in a steeplechase. The rider's death is the first racing fatality in Japan for 11 years. His new career was not even a month old when the accident occurred. He had made his debut over the obstacles on March 6 and rode his one and only winner the following day.
Eden Harrington
21apr04
DAMIEN Oliver will ride in the $1 million Japan Derby Trial after having one meeting shaved off a careless-riding suspension last night.
The Racing NSW Appeals Panel altered Oliver's five-meeting ban but reserved its reasons, to allow Oliver and his manager Bruce Clark to make a return flight to Melbourne.
Oliver incurred the suspension in Saturday's Sydney Cup for causing interference to winner Makybe Diva, Pantani and Special Scene.
By having his suspension reduced by one meeting Oliver can meet a commitment to Japan's premier trainer Kazuo Fujisawa in the Derby Trial on May 1.
"It is important in as far as I felt like I had let the (stable) down already by not riding this weekend, so I didn't want to let them down twice," the champion rider said. "It's a great opportunity and I appreciate the panel's view of the interference, that there were contributing factors."
Fujisawa has had to replace Oliver in Saturday's $800,000 Japan Oaks Trial as well as two Group 3 events on Sunday.
Oliver pleaded guilty on Saturday to the charge and yesterday was appealing against the severity of the penalty.
Clark tried to throw doubt over whether jockey Glen Boss's decision on Makybe Diva to take a run between County Tyrone (Oliver) and Pantani was the correct one.
He also argued interference to Special Scene had been caused more by a shift from Stadium on Special Scene's outside than by County Tyrone on his inside.
Clark passed on a letter to the panel from Fujisawa outlining the importance of Oliver to his stable during Japan's spring carnival.
Stewards argued Oliver's five-meeting suspension had taken into account his two-month contract in Japan and his outstanding riding record, which had not seen him suspended since October.
They also argued the interference Oliver caused on County Tyrone was "the worst interference of the carnival".
privacy © Herald and Weekly Times
G'day All ... Australia's most outstanding jockey, Damien Oliver continues to impress. After his win a while ago in the international jockey's challenge in Hong Kong, he kicked off his stay in Japan with two winners as the following Racing and Sports story states. Rgds ... EJ.
Sunday, 2 May 2004: It was a brilliant start for champion jockey Damien Oliver in Japan, a double from five rides in Tokyo on Saturday.
And then he finished second in the Group 1 Tenno Sho, Japan's equivalent of the Melbourne Cup, run over 3200m in Kyoto today. "My first ride was 5-1 on and I got beaten, I thought it was going to be a tough tour, but we bounced back with a couple of winners, a second and a third on Saturday and all is well," Oliver said waiting to board the bullet train back into Tokyo.
Oliver finished a well beaten seven length second on Zenno Rob Roy, a son of Sunday Silence in the A$3.2m Tenno Sho to a 70-1 outsider Ingrandire.
"It got out and led by 10-15 lengths but wouldn't come back to us, my horse ran as well as he could, we were the first of the chances home and it was worth the equivalent of $700,000 Aussie for second" Oliver, who only had two rides today said.
But it was back in his home base of Tokyo that Oliver shone on Saturday.
He finished third on Swell Game in the day's feature, a virtual Derby Prelude, a Group 2 race.
His wins came on the mare Mystique, first up over 1800m.
"She is a high quality mare by Sunday Silence who is a Group horse for sure," Oliver said.
He also won on Symboli Devil in the Isawa Tokebutsu.
"It was great to start with a couple of winners, it made the appeal in Sydney worthwhile anyway, hopefully we can only build from here, it's back to a double header in Tokyo next weekend," Oliversaid.
Oliver will be heard live from Tokyo on Bruce Clark's Racing Central on Sport 927 tomorrow morning.
Log on to to www.sport927.com.au
Yes Ollie certainly had a good start to his contract.
Saturday 4 rides, 2 wins a 2nd and a 3rd.
Sunday 2 rides 2nd in G1 and 9th on a roughy.
The winner of the G1 was 70/1 and D. O's about 5th in the betting at 7/1.
Handy Harry
04-05-2004, 12:47
Damien running second ( number 16) in the big group 1 Tenno Sho (http://www.jra.go.jp/videointeractive/asx/r04_0502tennoshosp_dsl.asx)
The winner of the G1, Ingrandire (JPN), is to be aimed at the Melbourne Cup!!
Before that however, the plan is to travel to Ascot for the Gold Cup over 4000m on the 17th June.
As this horse is owned by the wife of Mr Yoshida of Shadai, this makes 5 Shadai horses that are now planned to travel to Europe. Does Mr Yoshida have a mistress over there or something, lol?? Seems he can't get enough of Europe.
He has actually been presented with the Gold Cup once already in the past, on behalf of his father, whose horse Rassarl (?) won the race in 1973.
Handy Harry
10-05-2004, 09:54
By Craig Young
May 10, 2004
Damien Oliver has continued his winning ways in Japan with a weekend double.
Oliver won the $450,000 Principal Stakes at Tokyo's Fuchu racecourse on Saturday on $2.90 favourite Pisa No Kukai.
The Melbourne ace won again on Sunday at Fuchu aboard Blast Sunday, but could manage only eighth on Moonshine in the group 1 NHK Mile.
Oliver kicked off his latest stint in Japan nine days ago with a winning double at Tokyo. "I'm more than pleased with how things are going this time here, the opportunities are good and can only get better as the results do," he said.
Handy Harry
17-05-2004, 12:07
Olly today with 3 rides 2 winners both odds on favs. 4th in the G2, the horse pulled early which is not unusual for the trainers runners but he got his tongue over the bit and it was flapping in the breeze at the 200m.
Damien was a little disappointed but Matt you said Feet So Fast would go well if they walked early. They didn't but still ran a great 3rd.
From: specialweek Sent: 17/05/2004 1:58 p.m.
D. Oliver weekend before last won on Pisa no Kukai in the Derby trial.
Owner has decided to take him off and put on incoming Kent Desormeaux for the Derby on May 30th. I personally don't think the horse can get the distance so maybe not such a bad thing but DO is without a ride now.
From: specialweek in response to Message 563 Sent: 18/06/2004 3:08 PM
Lean weekend last for D.Oliver with two 2nds and two 3rds.
He moves to Fukushima track for 2 weeks with three rides Sat.
He has a ride on Treasure on Sunday 27th June in Takarazuka Kinen G1 at Hanshin then his contract is over for this stint.
'
I was winded and couldn't move for a few seconds. I couldn't do anything, even tell them I was okay'
http://racing.scmp.com/english/images/news/lead21062004b.jpg
Champion jockey Douglas Whyte gives the thumbs up on a great season.
ALAN AITKEN
A triumphant exit to a sensational season and a lucrative Japanese contract momentarily hung in the balance for champion jockey Douglas Whyte yesterday after a freak barrier accident on Sha Tin's final day.
The South African was left prostrate in the Sha Tin back straight just seconds after the start of the Golden Years Handicap after being unseated from hot favourite Dave's Best in a six-horse collision when the gates opened.
Onlookers feared the worst as Whyte briefly remained motionless on the track while the field took off down the course, but the Durban Demon was just gathering his breath.
"I knew I hadn't been seriously hurt at all, but it knocked the wind out of me. The guys quickly came over calling out `get up, get up' but I was winded and couldn't move for a few seconds. I couldn't do anything, even tell them I was okay," said Whyte, who finished the term with his fourth straight championship and 106 wins after having to share his lone victory for the afternoon on David Ferraris-trained dead-heater Majestic Feeling.
"It's a shame it happened with Dave's Best, because I thought he was my best ride all day. It was just one of those freak things. Green Century jumped left immediately to my inside and just kept going left even after we made contact. That pushed my horse on to Five Grains and so on to the three horses outside him."
Whyte bounced back, completing his rides and taking his bow as the championship winner again, before a busy summer beckons in Europe and a riding contract in Japan.
"Just in the last 24 hours I have finally confirmed that I will be riding about eight meetings in Japan during July and August, but during that time I'll also be with my family at our place in Italy where my son, Ethan, is being christened," Whyte said.
The contract, attached to the perennial top Japanese stable of trainer Kazuo Fujisawa - for whom Australia's Damien Oliver has been riding recently - will commence in the second week of July.
"Mr Fujisawa has been very understanding. I told him I didn't want to go straight there to ride after a tough season here. I'm physically and mentally in need of a break right now. But I love a challenge, so I'll take a couple of weeks off before going to my first meeting there," Whyte explained.
"I'll ride four meetings, then go to Italy on July 18. Some time ago, the monks at the monastery close to our house in Italy offered to do Ethan's christening, so it's been a long-standing appointment for us and again Mr Fujisawa has been very understanding allowing me to come and go for that event.
"I'll be back in Japan riding at the start of August for another four or five meetings before I come back to Hong Kong to prepare for next season. There are a couple of Group Two races during my time in Japan so hopefully I'll have something good to ride in them."
Whyte's expertise with a celebratory bottle of champagne is starting to resemble Michael Schumacher's skills, and he left fly with the bubble again after holding aloft the trophy as champion jockey again yesterday after also taking the new public vote for Most Popular Jockey this season.
And, along the path, he has also collected a new Hong Kong season record, the first-ever century of wins and his own 600th victory in Hong Kong racing.
"The season has finished on a tremendous high for me here, so I hope I can take some of that form to Japan," said Whyte. "It's a different challenge. I rode a couple of winners when I was there for the Super Jockey Series late last year at Hanshin so that probably helped me get the contract."
During the summer last year, Whyte rode winners at England's Ascot during the Shergar Cup series.
Take rides 2700th Winner
Yutaka Take, the most famous jockey in the country as well as all over the world, has ridden his 2700th flat-race winner Sunday afternoon when he guided Fusaichi Junk to a 3/4-length victory in the Fukujuso Tokubetsu at Kyoto. He joined Yukio Okabe as the only jockeys to reach the historic score at JRA. On the day, the 36-year-old jockey had superb races, registering 7 wins from 10 mounts. Coming off a record-breaking 2005 season of his 212 winning rides including 6 grade ones, another great season could be ahead of him.
posted by starsfaraway @ 9:06 PM
http://stosarabu.blogspot.com/2006/01/take-rides-2700th-winner.html
Boss wants to be big in Japan
April 21, 2006
Clinching 10 group 1 wins would be a great primer for Glen Boss's overseas foray, writes Craig Young.
http://network.news.com.au/image/0,10114,5142126,00.jpg
Red-hot jockey Glen Boss claims another Group One win on Serenade Rose.
BEFORE heading to the land of the rising sun, Australia's major race pillager, Glen Boss, has unfinished business at Randwick on Saturday. The jockey needs one more group 1 win to make it a perfect 10 this season.
He may have missed his goal of riding 15 group 1 winners this season but Boss set the bar at a high level and he'll leave for Japan on Monday for a six-to-eight-week riding stint knowing it has been another stellar season.
"I have no doubt riding 15 in a season can be done and I'm going to set the mark again," Boss said on Thursday. "It has been a good season but I think it could have been a lot better.
"I should have went down and rode Apache Cat in the Cadbury Guineas, I got off Joe Pride's filly Regal Cheer, which won the Coolmore, and Primus should have won one of those group 1s."
Boss became the first rider to win three consecutive Melbourne Cups last November when Makybe Diva made history, and it must be remembered the nation stopper was first run in 1861.
Since August 1 last year, Boss has had 439 rides for 95 winners. Prizemoney earned by his mounts totals a staggering $11,964,200, while the nine group 1s take his three-season tally to an astonishing 29.
"If I can ride 10 this season, I'll be a very happy man," Boss said.
"I'm very confident in my four group 1 rides on Saturday - all of mine have a good chance."
Heading the team for the final meeting of the Australian Jockey Club's Easter carnival is exciting stayer Eremein, which goes into Saturday's group 1 Queen Elizabeth having won the Ranvet Stakes and The BMW.
"He is going fantastic and I think he'll be a star next spring," Boss said. "He is a true weight-for-age horse now.
"He has everything a weight-for-age horse should have - he is adaptable, he has good gate speed, he handles wet and dry tracks and races forward or back. That's a true weight-for-age horse, they can do it all."
Boss described Eremein's Queen Elizabeth build-up as "beautiful", while adding: "It wasn't an oversight, this is the race the horse was always going to run in and he is the one they all have to beat."
Boss has kept an eye on the weather forecast and said: "They are tipping rain, showers, Friday and Saturday and it will only help."
AJC Australian Derby runner-up De Beers is considered by many as a danger. "He has got to step up to the mark, my bloke is there," Boss said. "The sectionals show Eremein sprints faster than all of them. His transition going from off the bridle to flat out takes four or five strides but when he sprints it's real quick."
In the Champagne Stakes, Boss is looking to defrock the sensational Golden Slipper winner Miss Finland with the gun rider partnering the filly's stablemate De Lago Mist.
"She had no luck the other day [in the AJC Sires' Produce]," Boss said. "She was caught up in the mix-up when Rubric had a run-in with the running rail and was then squeezed out in the run to the line.
"I'm sure it'll run a strong mile and Miss Finland was probably ready to run the other day when it had the setback. Miss Finland must go from six furlong to a mile and she would have needed the run the other day."
In the All-Aged Stakes Boss reunites with Snitzel and predicts a great clash with Paratroopers.
Boss is not concerned about Snitzel running a strong 1400 metres. "It is the softest seven furlongs in Australia," he said.
In the Sydney Cup Boss takes the ride on Kiwi raider Three Chimneys. He was very happy with its second behind race favourite Fooram in last Saturday's Chairman's Handicap.
"He raced up on the speed and I thought he was as strong at the finish as the winner," Boss said. "You would have to think he would have improved and he'll be right in the finish again."
As for Japan, Boss said: "I've got a three-month licence and every week I'm there they've got group 1 and group 2 racing. It is good to broaden your horizons."
More importantly, Boss is "hoping to leave a mark", which hasn't been a problem Down Under.
WHO'S THE BOSS?
Group 1 wins for season 2005-06
Manikato Stakes - Spark Of Life
Caulfield Guineas - God's Own
Cox Plate - Makybe Diva
Melbourne Cup - Makybe Diva
Ranvet Stakes - Eremein
George Ryder Stakes - Racing To Win
The BMW - Eremein
Doncaster Hcp - Racing To Win
AJC Australian Oaks - Serenade Rose
Total: 9
Season rides: 439 for 95 winners
Prizemoney: $11,964,200
Rider's 5 per cent cut of prizemoney: $598,210
Group 1 rides at Randwick on Saturday: Queen Elizabeth Stakes - Eremein; Champagne Stakes - De Lago Mist; All Aged Stakes - Snitzel; Sydney Cup - Three Chimneys.
http://smh.com.au/news/horseracing/boss-wants-to-be-big-in-japan/2006/04/20/1145344216085.html
2009 News
October 30, 2009
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Soumillon, Crastus receive short-term JRA Jockey's License
Christophe Soumillon
Anthony CrastusThe Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced that a short-term riding jockey's license has been issued to French jockeys Christophe Soumillon and Anthony Crastus.
The short-term riding license for both jockeys is effective from October 31 to December 30, 2009.
Soumillon, 28, will be primarily riding for owner Katsumi Yoshida and host trainer Yasutoshi Ikee of JRA Ritto Training Center, while Crastus, 24, will be riding for owner Hajime Satomi and host trainer Kazuo Fujisawa of JRA Miho Training Center.
This will be the second issuance of the JRA short-term jockey’s license for Soumillon, who also rode in Japan in 2001. He also participated in the World Super Jockey’s Series in 2003 and has an overall record of seven wins in 64 rides in Japan. Soumillon won the Qatar Prix De L’Arc Triomphe aboard Zarkava last year and has notched two Group 1 victories this year – French 2000 Guineas and Prix Marcel Boussac. In his first two racing days, Soumillon is scheduled to ride in six races on Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse – including Admire Fuji in the Grade 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) – and in five races on Saturday at Kyoto Racecourse – including Kinshasa no Kiseki in the Grade 2 Mainichi Broadcasting System Sho Swan Stakes.
Crastus, ninth in the French jockey ranking in 2008, will be debuting in JRA racing. He is scheduled to ride in nine races on Saturday at Tokyo Racecourse – including Mistral Cruise in the Brazil Cup.
Mossé permitted to ride in Japan Cup
17 November 2009
Permission has been granted for Club Jockey Gérald Mossé to be absent from Hong Kong in order to partner SCINTILLO, trained by Richard Hannon, in the Japan Cup (Group 1) scheduled to be conducted at Tokyo Racecourse, Japan on Sunday, 29 November 2009.
Jockey Mossé has advised that he intends to depart Hong Kong on Thursday, 26 November 2009 and to return to Hong Kong on Monday, 30 November 2009. As such, Jockey Mossé will not accept race riding engagements for the Sha Tin race meeting scheduled to be conducted on Sunday, 29 November 2009.
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