Futoshi Komaki finishes his JRA career with a winner as he moves to the racing in the NAR
Monday, 22 July, 2024 13:05
Futoshi Komaki at the ceremony
Veteran jockey, Futoshi Komaki, has concluded his career as a JRA registered rider. He will return to his former Hyogo Regional Racing in August after passing the jockey license exam for the National Association of Racing (NAR) on July 19th. On the 21st, after his final race under the JRA rules, his son, jockey Kayata Komaki, rode the winner of Fukushima's Race 1 on the same day, also attended the ceremony.
Komaki had no scheduled rides for the final weekend as a JRA jockey on the 27th and 28th, making Race 12 his "last" ride. In a dramatic turn of events, he secured victory with 12th favourite Mozu Akabosu. Kokura Racecourse was filled with cheers and applause. "That was a ride from the soul. Once they lined up, it was all about determination. It was great to win in the end. If you ride enough, you can win. Please give me horses like this more often," Komaki said with a wry smile. It was his first win in about a year and nine months in the JRA, and the trifecta payout was a surprising 1,310,000 JPY. It was a demonstration of how he still remains committed to his career, even as he return to his roots on the regional circuit.
Struggling with fewer rides, Komaki decided to return to Hyogo Regional Racing. "I thought a lot about how to continue my career and tried many things. My body is still strong, and I continued to believe I could do it. It's like a second life, a new path, and I'm happy about it." Even at 56, he is still in the middle of his journey. From now on, he will be active in the NAR. "I'm striving to compete with my younger self. I want to succeed at Sonoda Racecourse. Since this isn't my retirement ceremony, please come to Sonoda when I do have rides," he responded to the fans' support.
Twenty years have passed since he transferred from NAR to the JRA in 2004. He achieved 34 graded stakes wins, including two Grade 1 titles, notably the 2008 G1 Oka Sho with Reginetta, and he recorded a total of 911 wins. "I had many jockey friends, and they helped me stay young. It was a lot of fun," he expressed with gratitude. There were no tears from the "emotional jockey" this time. With new ambitions and hopes, the hero of NAR is set to rise again.
Komaki had no scheduled rides for the final weekend as a JRA jockey on the 27th and 28th, making Race 12 his "last" ride. In a dramatic turn of events, he secured victory with 12th favourite Mozu Akabosu. Kokura Racecourse was filled with cheers and applause. "That was a ride from the soul. Once they lined up, it was all about determination. It was great to win in the end. If you ride enough, you can win. Please give me horses like this more often," Komaki said with a wry smile. It was his first win in about a year and nine months in the JRA, and the trifecta payout was a surprising 1,310,000 JPY. It was a demonstration of how he still remains committed to his career, even as he return to his roots on the regional circuit.
Struggling with fewer rides, Komaki decided to return to Hyogo Regional Racing. "I thought a lot about how to continue my career and tried many things. My body is still strong, and I continued to believe I could do it. It's like a second life, a new path, and I'm happy about it." Even at 56, he is still in the middle of his journey. From now on, he will be active in the NAR. "I'm striving to compete with my younger self. I want to succeed at Sonoda Racecourse. Since this isn't my retirement ceremony, please come to Sonoda when I do have rides," he responded to the fans' support.
Twenty years have passed since he transferred from NAR to the JRA in 2004. He achieved 34 graded stakes wins, including two Grade 1 titles, notably the 2008 G1 Oka Sho with Reginetta, and he recorded a total of 911 wins. "I had many jockey friends, and they helped me stay young. It was a lot of fun," he expressed with gratitude. There were no tears from the "emotional jockey" this time. With new ambitions and hopes, the hero of NAR is set to rise again.
Article Creds:Daily Sports