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The 2026 World All-Star Jockeys Welcomes International Participants at Sapporo

A welcome reception attended by participants and members of the racing circle was held at Sapporo Grand Hotel from 18:00 on August 21 prior to the World All-Star Jockeys (WASJ), held over two days from tomorrow.

Richard Fourie (SAF)

“I’m very excited—I’ve always wanted to be here. Thank you for the opportunity. It feels just amazing.”

“I had the opportunity to see the track today and how the rail runs. I’m just looking forward to seeing the Japanese horses. I think the strong point in Japanese racing is it’s pace and speed. The races are the best in the world and the Japanese breed the best. When I was still at the racing academy, my dream wasn’t to become South Africa’s champion jockey—it was to race in Japan one day. It only took 26 years to finally have this opportunity so I’m really going to enjoy myself.”

[Assigned mounts]
Aug.22 (Sat)
4th race:     Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (2,000m) on Kotinos (JPN)
6th race:     Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (2,600m) on Pagos Pinkouinos (JPN)
10th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 1ST Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (1,200m) on Viva Crown (JPN)
11th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 2ND Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 3 Wins Class) (2,000m) on T O Douglas (JPN)
Aug.23 (Sun)
4th race:     Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (1,200m) on Gefion (JPN)
10th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 3RD Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (dirt, 1,700m) on High Quality (JPN)
12th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 4TH Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (1,800m) on Cosmo Spumoni (JPN)

Rafael Hernandez (CAN)

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity and I’m really excited. I’d like to enjoy the moment and do my best.”

“My strength in racing is I always try to do my best and try to cross the wire first. I’ve been watching Japanese racing—they’ve been doing better and better all over the world every year. Not only the racing but the breeding as well and I’m really thankful for the invitation to the series this year.”

[Assigned mounts]
Aug.22 (Sat)
1st race:     Two-Year-Olds (Maiden) (dirt, 1,700m) on Maruka Rose (JPN)
3rd race:    Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (dirt, 1,700m) on Leesan Mirror (JPN)
5th race:     Two-Year-Olds (Newcomer) (1,500m) on Nova Cara (JPN)
6th race:     Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (2,600m) on Cailleret (JPN)
10th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 1ST Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (1,200m) on Bel Be Stallone (JPN)
11th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 2ND Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 3 Wins Class) (2,000m) on Chilcano (JPN)
Aug.23 (Sun)
3rd race:    Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (dirt, 1,700m) on Fiery Beat (JPN)
4th race:     Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (1,200m) on Nitto Ace (JPN)
7th race:     Three-Year-Olds & Up (1 Win Class) (dirt, 2,400m) on Taiki Vier Liebe (JPN)
8th race:     Three-Year-Olds & Up (1 Win Class) (1,800m) on Pityrodia (JPN)
10th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 3RD Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (dirt, 1,700m) on Aurora Ark (JPN)
11th race:   Keeneland Cup (Three-Year-Olds & Up, G3) (1,200m) on Meiner Gerodi (JPN)
12th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 4TH Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (1,800m) on Win Verano (JPN)

Damian Lane (AUS)

“I’m excited and look forward to riding for the second time in the series and competing against all of these talented jockeys. I’d like to do my best.”

“Through my time in Japan, I’ve spoken to Japanese jockeys and asked their advice for racing in Japan. As for the foreign jockeys, I’ve only met my team members very briefly so far, but hopefully, if they have any questions, I’ll be able to help.　I haven’t ridden a lot at Sapporo Racecourse, but I have enjoyed my time riding here. It’s a unique course, and I don’t have a trick to it, but I think timing is very important. With the short straight, it’s not like other tracks, so timing is probably the most important.
Zac, who is also from Australia and is competing alongside me this time, is a very good jockey. He rides in Sydney and I ride in Melbourne, so we don’t ride together a lot, but I have a lot of respect for him. He’s a good young jockey, and I’m sure he’ll do well this weekend and impress the racing fans.”

[Assigned mounts]
Aug.22 (Sat)
1st race:     Two-Year-Olds (Maiden) (dirt, 1,700m) on Pharaoh Queen (USA)
4th race:     Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (2,000m) on Cirrus (JPN)
5th race:     Two-Year-Olds (Newcomer) (1,500m) on Tsukimi (JPN)
9th race:     Clover Sho (Two-Year-Olds, Open Class) (1,500m) on Mon Biscuit (JPN)
10th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 1ST Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (1,200m) on Bee Kong (JPN)
11th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 2ND Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 3 Wins Class) (2,000m) on Diga Legend (JPN)
12th race: Niseko Tokubetsu (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 1 Win Class) (dirt, 1,700m) on Summer Night (JPN)
Aug.23 (Sun)
3rd race:    Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (dirt, 1,700m) on Region Polaire (JPN)
9th race:     Rusutsu Tokubetsu (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 1 Win Class) (2,000m) on Admiral Ship (JPN)
10th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 3RD Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (dirt, 1,700m) on Red Lightning (JPN)
11th race:   Keeneland Cup (Three-Year-Olds & Up, G3) (1,200m) on Lucido (JPN)
12th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 4TH Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (1,800m) on Meiner Forza (JPN)

Zac Lloyd (AUS)

“I’m very honored to be here. It’s a great line up of international jockeys. I’m excited to compete against the Japanese jockeys at their home ground.”

“From a very young boy I’ve wanted to compete in Japan. I’ve watched Japanese racing my whole life. It’s probably the best racing in the world. So, as a jockey growing up, you want to compete in the best races in the world. This is a small step for me but hopefully, I can do well and that it can open some doors for me in the future.”

[Assigned mounts]
Aug.22 (Sat)
2nd race:    Two-Year-Olds (Maiden) (1,800m) on Lord Response (JPN)
6th race:     Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (2,600m) on Rico Rapido (JPN)
10th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 1ST Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (1,200m) on B B Effort (JPN)
11th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 2ND Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 3 Wins Class) (2,000m) on Spark Richard (JPN)
12th race:  Niseko Tokubetsu (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 1 Win Class) (dirt, 1,700m) on Kokode Ikku (JPN)
Aug.23 (Sun)
3rd race:    Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (dirt, 1,700m) on American Dance (USA)
4th race:     Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (1,200m) on Bulletty Lady (JPN)
6th race:     Three-Year-Olds & Up (1 Win Class) (1,500m) on Go Go Richard (JPN)
7th race:     Three-Year-Olds & Up (1 Win Class) (dirt, 2,400m) on Stay Ambitious (JPN)
9th race:     Rusutsu Tokubetsu (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 1 Win Class) (2,000m) on Meiner Master (JPN)
10th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 3RD Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (dirt, 1,700m) on Himino Etoile (JPN)
11th race:   Keeneland Cup (Three-Year-Olds & Up, G3) (1,200m) on Sonnig (JPN)
12th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 4TH Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (1,800m) on Storm Thunder (JPN)

Suraj Narredu (IND)

“It is my first time in Japan and I feel privileged to represent my country and thank the JRA for inviting me. I look forward to competing against a great bunch of talented riders and hope to do my best.”

“Last year, I was very lucky to have two Japanese jockeys, Mirai Iwata and Ryusei Sakai, ride on my team in the Shergar Cup. It was the first time the Team Asia competed, and we managed to win. That experience put me on the world stage, and I was very grateful to get the opportunity to come and ride in Japan this year. It has always been a dream of mine, ever since my uncle came to ride in Japan 30 years ago. Everybody knows it's one of the best racing jurisdictions in the world, so this is a very big honor for me and also for India as well.”

[Assigned mounts]
Aug.22 (Sat)
3rd race:    Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (dirt, 1,700m) on Mont Royal (JPN)
6th race:     Three-Year-Olds (Maiden) (2,600m) on Fier Chanter (JPN)
10th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 1ST Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (1,200m) on Food Man (USA)
11th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 2ND Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 3 Wins Class) (2,000m) on Weiser Barco (JPN)
Aug.23 (Sun)
6th race:     Three-Year-Olds & Up (1 Win Class) (1,500m) on Queens Wharf (JPN)
7th race:     Three-Year-Olds & Up (1 Win Class) (dirt, 2,400m) on Trigonic (JPN)
10th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 3RD Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (dirt, 1,700m) on Cuthbert Tesoro (JPN)
11th race:   Keeneland Cup (Three-Year-Olds & Up, G3) (1,200m) on Itsumo Nikoniko (JPN)
12th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 4TH Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (1,800m) on Bene Spira (JPN)

Marie Velon (FR)

“It’s been a long time since my last race in Japan, and it’s great to be back here. Thank you to the JRA for the invitation. I’m looking forward to this weekend and to competing with this new team.”

“Since my last visit, I’ve had the chance to ride good horses and work with good trainers in France, and my career has grown through those experiences. I’m very happy with my career and grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, so I think that’s why I’m here tonight.
With my previous experience here, and now that I know the racecourse, I hope I can make the most of that experience this year and build on what I learned last time.
For the sport, I hope I can beat Christophe Lemaitre from the French team. I don’t want to lose to him! I’m really looking forward to the challenge and hope I can do well.”

[Assigned mounts]
Aug.22 (Sat)
10th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 1ST Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (1,200m) on Extra Buck (GB)
11th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 2ND Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 3 Wins Class) (2,000m) on Pink Jin (JPN)
Aug.23 (Sun)
10th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 3RD Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (dirt, 1,700m) on Kurino Rapidus (JPN)
12th race: 2026 World All-Star Jockeys 4TH Leg (Three-Year-Olds & Up, 2 Wins Class) (1,800m) on Teruhiko (JPN)