Homan Ho

JRA Blackbook: daughters of Duramente to the fore at Tokyo

As superstar filly Liberty Island was running away with her third Group 1 win from just five starts in Sunday's G1 Yushun Himba, another daughter of Duramente was finding the Tokyo winning post with purpose.

Andrew Le Jeune

LJ Confidential: world’s best jockey? JRA stats suggest Damian Lane should be in the conversation

The numbers are becoming compelling when it comes to 'quiet achiever' Damian Lane in the ‘world’s best jockey’ discussion, as the Australian star continues to make giant strides in Japan.

Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: Liberty Island in the Oka Sho spotlight

Adrian Webber has the latest happenings around the JRA from Classic musings to Kawada’s continuing hot streak, to the Ho O man’s Group 1 ambitions.

David Morgan

Fan power drives Japan’s Racing Club phenomenon

Japan’s racing clubs are synonymous with some of the JRA’s most famous horses, and club silks will be prominent again at the Dubai World Cup fixture, driving fan engagement at home and abroad.

David Morgan

Top 5: most memorable Dubai World Cups

This weekend’s Dubai World Cup will be compelling viewing with renowned tearaway Panthalassa leading an eight-strong Japanese challenge at Meydan. But which previous runnings of the prestigious 2000-metre feature live longest in the memory of global horse racing fans?

Tokyo Daishōten G1 Guide

The Tokyo Daishōten is the only internationally-recognised Grade 1 race on the local council-administered NAR circuit.

Michael Cox

‘I want to be independent’: Joe Fujii back at racetrack for first time since fall

Joe Fujii was back at the races on Sunday for the first time since a life-changing accident in April and continues to work hard at his rehabilitation.

David Morgan

The Legend of Oju Chosan

On the date when, fable has it, Father Christmas’s antlered coursers spring magically into flight, it is fitting that Japan’s greatest jumps horse will leap the Nakayama fences one last time.

Costa Rolfe

‘He always gave me all of his heart’: Victoire Pisa, Mirco’s miracle horse

Jockey Mirco Demuro remembers the bold mid-race moves on Victoire Pisa that won him the Arima Kinen and Dubai World Cup.

David Morgan

Making the right moves: JRA invites St Leger-winning Egan back

The young British-based rider could opt to further enhance his international profile with another visit to Japan at this year’s end.

Michael Cox

The star among All-Stars, Yutaka Take’s mastery spans decades

A wild World All-Star Jockeys series win in Sapporo was a reminder that ‘the Legend’ Yutaka Take is more than just a veteran trading off past achievements.

Michael Cox

Craig Williams visit gives boost to hospitalised rider Joe Fujii

Joe Fujii grew up a fan of Craig Williams and this week the Australian rider took the opportunity to visit the injured jockey.

Michael Cox

Mirco Demuro didn’t come this far to turn around

Michael Cox speaks to Italian trailblazer Mirco Demuro on being part of some of the iconic moments in JRA history, and how he hopes hard work can see him return to the top.