Racing fans at Kyoto Racecourse received a surprise from retiring veteran jockey Shegefumi Kumazawa as he rode a leading horse to the track before the G3 Kyoto Jump Stakes.

He was a second graduate from the JRA Racing School and made his debut as a jockey in 1986. He became the first jockey to win both a flat and jump G1 and won over 200 races in both forms of racing. He is currently the all-time winning most jump jockey in Japan with 257 jump wins.

Kumazawa commented, "So many people and horses helped me to get to where I am. I want to thank every person and every horse. Also to the fans, thank you for supporting me and please continue to support the next generation of jockeys." For his future plans, he added with a big smile: "I have no idea. I will eventually find what I want to do."