Japan–Ireland Exchange through Horse Racing
2026/7/23
Interview with the jockey who rode the winner Florida Bay (Ireland) at the Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes (Photo taken in July 2026)
Florida Bay who won the Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes (Photo taken in July 2026)
On 23 July, the Tyros Stakes, a horse race sponsored by the Japan Racing Association (JRA), was held at Leopardstown Racecourse in south Dublin. Representing the JRA were Mr YOSHINARI Kiminobu, Director, accompanied by his wife, Mrs YOSHINARI Asako, together with Mr SHIOBARA Keiju, General Manager of the JRA London Representative Office, and Ms KAMOSAWA Ouka, Assistant Manager. Mr YOSHINARI presented the prizes to the winners.
Representing the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu and Mrs MIYAGAWA, First Secretary Ms NAKATA Keiko and her husband, and Second Secretary Ms UENO Yumiko attended the race. Ambassador MIYAGAWA also joined the prize presentation ceremony.
Horse racing has long served as an important bridge between Japan and Ireland, with close ties between the two countries' racing industries. For example, Mr Richard Brabazon, a trainer based at Rangers Lodge in the Curragh, County Kildare, who watched the races with us, recalled his visit to Japan several years ago. During his stay, Japanese trainers showed him around racing facilities in Tokyo, Hokkaido and Kyoto. In addition to learning about Japanese horse racing, he was introduced to many aspects of Japanese culture, from how to enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast to a few basic Japanese phrases. He also explained that, in return, he has on occasion shared his knowledge of horse training and Irish racing with Japanese trainers and jockeys visiting Ireland.
In Ireland, aspiring jockeys typically begin their training at around the age of ten, undergoing rigorous physical and mental preparation from an early stage. Once they become professional jockeys, they must also maintain strict weight requirements before races, making the profession one that demands exceptional discipline and dedication.
Looking ahead to the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland in 2027, the Embassy of Japan in Ireland is committed to supporting exchanges between the two countries through horse racing.
Representing the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu and Mrs MIYAGAWA, First Secretary Ms NAKATA Keiko and her husband, and Second Secretary Ms UENO Yumiko attended the race. Ambassador MIYAGAWA also joined the prize presentation ceremony.
Horse racing has long served as an important bridge between Japan and Ireland, with close ties between the two countries' racing industries. For example, Mr Richard Brabazon, a trainer based at Rangers Lodge in the Curragh, County Kildare, who watched the races with us, recalled his visit to Japan several years ago. During his stay, Japanese trainers showed him around racing facilities in Tokyo, Hokkaido and Kyoto. In addition to learning about Japanese horse racing, he was introduced to many aspects of Japanese culture, from how to enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast to a few basic Japanese phrases. He also explained that, in return, he has on occasion shared his knowledge of horse training and Irish racing with Japanese trainers and jockeys visiting Ireland.
In Ireland, aspiring jockeys typically begin their training at around the age of ten, undergoing rigorous physical and mental preparation from an early stage. Once they become professional jockeys, they must also maintain strict weight requirements before races, making the profession one that demands exceptional discipline and dedication.
Looking ahead to the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland in 2027, the Embassy of Japan in Ireland is committed to supporting exchanges between the two countries through horse racing.
Florida Bay who won the Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes (Photo taken in July 2026)
The Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes (Photo taken in July 2026)
Florida Bay, winner of the Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes, the horse's owners, jockey, trainer, Mr YOSHINARI, Director of the JRA, representatives of the JRA and Leopardstown Racecourse, and Ambassador MIYAGAWA and his wife Noriko (Photo taken in July 2026)
The owners, jockey and trainer of Florida Bay, the winners of the Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes, with Mr YOSHINARI, Director of the JRA, Mr SHIOBARA, General Manager of the JRA London Representative Office, and representatives of Leopardstown Racecourse, and Ambassador MIYAGAWA (Photo taken in July 2026)