Horny Harry
15-10-2002, 15:26
The Gossip Column "gossip"
Sapporo Racecourse 9 September, JRA officials in a state of shock.
Gossip Column's trainer had failed to notify the JRA that the colt (ex) had been gelded and the JRA vets had not spotted the modification. Despite the subsequent on track drama, Gossip Column raced and won.<17JSEP02>
Derby winner Tanino Gimlet retired
This year's Japan Derby winner, Tanino Gimlet, has been retired as a result of an injury suffered at the beginning of September. Tanino Gimlet is by the late Brian's Time and it is hoped that he will emulate his father's career at stud. 60 shares at 22 million yen each have been sold giving a total syndication value of approximately US$ 11 million. He will stand at Shadai Stallion Center.<17JSEP02>
Yasuda Kinen winner to stud next season
Admire Cozzine, winner of this years G1 Yasuda Kinen, has been syndicated for 450 million yen (approx. US$3.6 million) for the next Northern hemisphere breeding season. Reportedly, the 60 shares offered sold instantly. Before retiring it is planned to race him in the September Sprinter Stakes (G1, 1200m) and then target the Hong Kong Mile in December. Admire Cozzine is by Cozzine out of Admire Makady (by Northern Taste). <1JUL02>
Test sales for Trifecta - a big hit
JRA had been avoiding the introduction of exotic betting tickets, as it is "sinful" to encourage people's gambling habits. Evidently the continuing decline in turnover seems to have forced a change of heart. This year for the first time the JRA tested the market with new exotic forms of betting such as "Trifectas". Test days resulted in more punters on course and a bigger turn over. It seems a little of sin isn't all that bad! <1JUL02>
Japanese top jockeys for Europe & USA
Many Japanese jockeys are now trying to follow in the footsteps of champion Yutaka Take and ride overseas.
Jockey Hiroki Goto is now in England and he will ride there and in France for three months. Jockey Goto had his first G1 win in the Yasuda Kinen the day before he left Japan. Jockey Katsuharu Tanaka is to try his luck in the USA. <6JUN02>
Training Sale in Chiba
Chiba is immediately north of Tokyo and is one of the main breeding centres outside the northern island of Hokkaido. The Chiba branch of the Japan Blood Horse Breeders Association held a training sale at Funabashi Racecourse on 03/06. The highest bid at the sale was for a colt by Pentire out of Dina Marie bred by Shadai Farm. It went for 11 million yen, about US$ 90,000. The colt ran the last 200 metres in 11 seconds. <6JUN02>
One of JRA's female jockey is out
JRA has only two female jockeys racing. As you may be able to imagine, they don't really get the same opportunities to ride as there fellow male jockeys. On 02/06 in a maiden jumping race Ms. Rena Nishihara had a bad fall and will be out of racing for at least for six months. Ms. Nishihara was the first female to ride in a jumping race. <6JUN02>
Kazuo Fujisawa
http://www.worldhorseplaza.com/fujisaw1.gif
book cover
Leading Japanese trainer learns from his Newmarket experience.
Kazuo Fujisawa is one of the new breed in the Japanese racing. He is young, keen to learn and take advantage from his international experiences.
He returned to Japan after spending four years at the Prichard Gordon Stables, Newmarket. His years in England have influenced his methods and he acknowledges his English experience by regularly quoting "happy people make happy horses".
Fujisawa has published several books with his most recent being 'Racing, my private opinion - when the horse wants to run'.
Among the champions trained by Fujisawa are Shinko Lovely, Bubble Gum Fellow, Taiki Blizzard, Taiki Shuttle and many more.
His successes include the G1, Prix Jaque Marois with Taiki Shuttle in 1998. He has had great success with foreign horses and campaigns openly for the necessity of changing the Japanese distribution system and the introduction of Western style auctions in Japan.
http://www.worldhorseplaza.com/fujisawa.gif
Hiroki Goto
http://www.worldhorseplaza.com/gotoface.gif
Goto showed the way
Goto is no ordinary jockey.
As a result of the limited number of jockeys allowed by the JRA, Japanese jockeys are the best paid in the world. For instance, a jockey with only 15 wins in a year could earn as much as 35 million yen ($600,000). So, there is no reason or need to travel overseas to seek your fortune when you can stay at home, ride a few winners and have a wonderful life.
Goto did not and does not think like that. He is young, ambitious and unlike most Japanese jockeys, speaks English.
In 1994, much to everyone's surprise, he headed for America to try and prove himself internationally. It wasn't easy. He arrived in Florida only to find the manager he thought he had had moved to California. This didn't stop him though, he simply started visiting stables and eventually started getting work as a track rider and finally some race rides. His record after six months was only seven wins for 149 rides. Undeterred he headed for California were he rode two winners from nine starts before heading back to Japan. His US experience gave him enormous confidence.
Today super jockeys Take and Ebina are both based in the US following in Goto's tracks. They have also prepared to make the effort to gain international experience and fame rather than accept the easy 'stay at home' option.
Not many Japanese jockeys are as gutsy as Goto - there simply is no need. Goto has always wanted to be the best. He is presently ranked number 1 in the Tokyo region and number 2, behind Take, nationally.
Goto has accepted an invitation to visit the Gold Coast to ride during the Magic Millions Carnival and will attend the Magic Millions sales as well as address students at
Traintech 2000 the premier international racing school adjacent to the Gold Coast Turf Club.
Many Japanese visitors are expected for the Magic Millions and Goto's presence is expected to boost these numbers dramatically. Japanese media coverage for Goto's visit has already been huge and is expected to continue.
Profile - Hiroki Goto
Born:Kanagawa (near Tokyo)
Weight:49kg
Height:157cm
Licensed:1992
First ride: 1.3.92
First win: 4.4.92
Sapporo Racecourse 9 September, JRA officials in a state of shock.
Gossip Column's trainer had failed to notify the JRA that the colt (ex) had been gelded and the JRA vets had not spotted the modification. Despite the subsequent on track drama, Gossip Column raced and won.<17JSEP02>
Derby winner Tanino Gimlet retired
This year's Japan Derby winner, Tanino Gimlet, has been retired as a result of an injury suffered at the beginning of September. Tanino Gimlet is by the late Brian's Time and it is hoped that he will emulate his father's career at stud. 60 shares at 22 million yen each have been sold giving a total syndication value of approximately US$ 11 million. He will stand at Shadai Stallion Center.<17JSEP02>
Yasuda Kinen winner to stud next season
Admire Cozzine, winner of this years G1 Yasuda Kinen, has been syndicated for 450 million yen (approx. US$3.6 million) for the next Northern hemisphere breeding season. Reportedly, the 60 shares offered sold instantly. Before retiring it is planned to race him in the September Sprinter Stakes (G1, 1200m) and then target the Hong Kong Mile in December. Admire Cozzine is by Cozzine out of Admire Makady (by Northern Taste). <1JUL02>
Test sales for Trifecta - a big hit
JRA had been avoiding the introduction of exotic betting tickets, as it is "sinful" to encourage people's gambling habits. Evidently the continuing decline in turnover seems to have forced a change of heart. This year for the first time the JRA tested the market with new exotic forms of betting such as "Trifectas". Test days resulted in more punters on course and a bigger turn over. It seems a little of sin isn't all that bad! <1JUL02>
Japanese top jockeys for Europe & USA
Many Japanese jockeys are now trying to follow in the footsteps of champion Yutaka Take and ride overseas.
Jockey Hiroki Goto is now in England and he will ride there and in France for three months. Jockey Goto had his first G1 win in the Yasuda Kinen the day before he left Japan. Jockey Katsuharu Tanaka is to try his luck in the USA. <6JUN02>
Training Sale in Chiba
Chiba is immediately north of Tokyo and is one of the main breeding centres outside the northern island of Hokkaido. The Chiba branch of the Japan Blood Horse Breeders Association held a training sale at Funabashi Racecourse on 03/06. The highest bid at the sale was for a colt by Pentire out of Dina Marie bred by Shadai Farm. It went for 11 million yen, about US$ 90,000. The colt ran the last 200 metres in 11 seconds. <6JUN02>
One of JRA's female jockey is out
JRA has only two female jockeys racing. As you may be able to imagine, they don't really get the same opportunities to ride as there fellow male jockeys. On 02/06 in a maiden jumping race Ms. Rena Nishihara had a bad fall and will be out of racing for at least for six months. Ms. Nishihara was the first female to ride in a jumping race. <6JUN02>
Kazuo Fujisawa
http://www.worldhorseplaza.com/fujisaw1.gif
book cover
Leading Japanese trainer learns from his Newmarket experience.
Kazuo Fujisawa is one of the new breed in the Japanese racing. He is young, keen to learn and take advantage from his international experiences.
He returned to Japan after spending four years at the Prichard Gordon Stables, Newmarket. His years in England have influenced his methods and he acknowledges his English experience by regularly quoting "happy people make happy horses".
Fujisawa has published several books with his most recent being 'Racing, my private opinion - when the horse wants to run'.
Among the champions trained by Fujisawa are Shinko Lovely, Bubble Gum Fellow, Taiki Blizzard, Taiki Shuttle and many more.
His successes include the G1, Prix Jaque Marois with Taiki Shuttle in 1998. He has had great success with foreign horses and campaigns openly for the necessity of changing the Japanese distribution system and the introduction of Western style auctions in Japan.
http://www.worldhorseplaza.com/fujisawa.gif
Hiroki Goto
http://www.worldhorseplaza.com/gotoface.gif
Goto showed the way
Goto is no ordinary jockey.
As a result of the limited number of jockeys allowed by the JRA, Japanese jockeys are the best paid in the world. For instance, a jockey with only 15 wins in a year could earn as much as 35 million yen ($600,000). So, there is no reason or need to travel overseas to seek your fortune when you can stay at home, ride a few winners and have a wonderful life.
Goto did not and does not think like that. He is young, ambitious and unlike most Japanese jockeys, speaks English.
In 1994, much to everyone's surprise, he headed for America to try and prove himself internationally. It wasn't easy. He arrived in Florida only to find the manager he thought he had had moved to California. This didn't stop him though, he simply started visiting stables and eventually started getting work as a track rider and finally some race rides. His record after six months was only seven wins for 149 rides. Undeterred he headed for California were he rode two winners from nine starts before heading back to Japan. His US experience gave him enormous confidence.
Today super jockeys Take and Ebina are both based in the US following in Goto's tracks. They have also prepared to make the effort to gain international experience and fame rather than accept the easy 'stay at home' option.
Not many Japanese jockeys are as gutsy as Goto - there simply is no need. Goto has always wanted to be the best. He is presently ranked number 1 in the Tokyo region and number 2, behind Take, nationally.
Goto has accepted an invitation to visit the Gold Coast to ride during the Magic Millions Carnival and will attend the Magic Millions sales as well as address students at
Traintech 2000 the premier international racing school adjacent to the Gold Coast Turf Club.
Many Japanese visitors are expected for the Magic Millions and Goto's presence is expected to boost these numbers dramatically. Japanese media coverage for Goto's visit has already been huge and is expected to continue.
Profile - Hiroki Goto
Born:Kanagawa (near Tokyo)
Weight:49kg
Height:157cm
Licensed:1992
First ride: 1.3.92
First win: 4.4.92