Nanako Fujita
| Nanako Fujita | |
|---|---|
 Fujita in 2024 | |
| Native name | 藤田菜七子 |
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Born | 9 August 1997 Moriya, Ibaraki, Japan |
| Height | 157.4 cm (5 ft 2 in) |
| Weight | 45.6 kg (101 lb) |
| Career wins | 116 JRA wins |
Nanako Fujita (Japanese: 藤田菜七子, romanized: Fujita Nanako; born 9 August 1997) is a retired Japanese jockey. When she earned her jockey license in 2016, she became the first woman to receive a jockey license in Japan in 16 years. Fujita enjoyed a rising career, quickly becoming the country's most successful female jockey. In 2024, she stunned her fan base after retiring from racing suddenly over a controversy regarding phone use.
Biography
[edit]Nanako Fujita grew up in Moriya, Ibaraki Prefecture.[1] Her family was not involved in the horse racing industry.[2] After discovering horse racing on television in the sixth grade, Fujita decided to become a jockey. In 2013, Fujita enrolled in jockey school at age 15. She made her racing debut three years later.[1]
Racing career
[edit]When Fujita was granted a jockey's license in 2016, she became the first female jockey to debut in Japan in 16 years.[2] Her appearance made headlines in the Japanese racing scene, as she became the only female jockey racing at the time.[3][4] She marked her first win on 24 March 2016.[1] That year she participated in the Ladies' World Championship in the United Arab Emirates.[1]
By 2017 she broke the record for the most wins in a season by a Japan Racing Association (JRA) female jockey, with 14 wins.[5] That year, she took part in the 2017 International Mixed Doubles Jockey Challenge in Macau.[1]
In 2018 she set the record for the most career wins by a JRA female jockey when she marked 35 wins.[1]
2019 would become her most successful racing year. In 2019, she became the first JRA female jockey to compete in a Grade 1 stakes race, when competing in the February Stakes.[6][7] Later that year, she would become the first female jockey to win a Graded race in Japan when she won the Capella Stakes.[8] On 30 June 2019, she won the Women Jockey's World Cup for Japan in Stockholm, Sweden at Bro Park.[9][10][11] Later that summer, she travelled to the United Kingdom to race in the Shergar Cup at Ascot Racecourse.[8] She would mark 43 wins that year.[12]
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In 2021, Fujita took part in the International Jockeys Challenge in Riyadh. She placed fourth in the event.[13] Prior to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Fujita participated in the torch relay.[14]
Fujita's 2024 season would be plagued with injuries. In July, she announced her upcoming marriage to a JRA racing official.[15] On 10 August 2024, Fujita participated in the 2024 Shergar Cup at Ascot.[16][17] She would mark six wins across the season.[12]
Cellphone accusation and retirement
[edit]On 7 October 2024, Bunshun accused Fujita of breaching mobile phone rules that prohibit jockeys from using cellular phones when they are in lockdown during a racing weekend. JRA rules require jockeys to be sequestered from 9pm on Friday evening until Sunday while participating at race meets.[18][19] Under the policy commonly deemed "jockey jail", jockeys are not permitted to use their phones during this time for any reason, even to talk to their families.[20][21] The accusations leveled by Bunshun against Fujita concerned infractions Fujita had previously admitted to the JRA previously the year earlier.[3][20]
On 10 October 2024, the JRA formally sanctioned Fujita, referring her to an arbitration committee retroactively.[3] The next day, Fujita announced she was quitting the sport, and returned her jockey license.[14][12]
Upon her retirement, Fujita had 166 JRA winners, more than any female rider in Japan.[14][22]
In April 2025, Fujita made her first public appearance after her retirement. Appearing at Monbetsu Racecourse, Fujita apologized for "causing you all so much trouble".[23][24]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Nanako Fujita". Racing & Sports.
- ^ a b "18-year-old Nanako Fujita realises her dream - qualifies as jockey in Japan". Young Post. 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ a b c "JRA Must Re-Educate Itself If It Is To Learn From Nanako's Fall". Idol Horse. Archived from the original on 2025-05-14. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ "Kei Chiong and Nanako Fujita out to break stigma against female jockeys in Asia". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 2022-04-26. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ "Horse racing: Nanako Fujita sets record for wins by female jockey". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ "Nanako's Big In Japan!". Sporting Post. 2019-02-16. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ Takahashi, Masakazu (2019-02-11). "Nanako Fujita breaking new ground for female jockeys in Japan with Group 1 ride". www.racingpost.com. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ a b Takahashi, Masakazu (2019-12-08). "Nanako Fujita becomes first female jockey to land Graded race". www.racingpost.com. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ Stephens, Andy (December 5, 2023). "Nanako Fujita scoops Women Jockeys' World Cup for Japan". www.racingtv.com. Archived from the original on 2019-07-01. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ "2019.07.01 Fujita wins Women Jockeys' World Cup - News - Horse Racing in Japan". japanracing.jp. Archived from the original on 2020-02-08. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ "She may be Japan's only female jockey, but she's on top of the world right now". Thoroughbred Racing Commentary. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ a b c "Horse racing: Japan's top female jockey Fujita quits after suspension". Kyodo News+. October 11, 2024. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ Goda, Naohiro (February 22, 2021). "Fujita Takes Fourth in International Jockeys Challenge". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ a b c "It's not good to talk: trail-blazing female Nanako Fujita quits after breaking mobile phone rules in Japan | Topics: Japan Racing Association, Nanako Fujita, JRA". Thoroughbred Racing Commentary. Archived from the original on 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ "Celebrating a Marriage Announcement! Popular jockey Nanako Fujita "told this magazine just before her debut" about her unexpected suffering and the person she admires". FRIDAY DIGITAL. 2024-07-19. Archived from the original on 2024-08-14. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ "Jockey Fujita Nanako to participate 2024 Shergar Cup at Ascot Racecourse | Horse Racing News". netkeiba. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ "Shergar Cup: Rest of the World | Ascot | At The Races & Sky Sports Racing". At The Races. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ Yoshikawa, Mai (2024-10-25). "Horse racing in Japan has a smartphone problem". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 2025-05-15. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ Iorio, Carl Di. "What's it like to be a jockey in Japan?". RACING.COM. Archived from the original on 2022-06-30. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ a b "JRA Phone Crackdown Prompts More Suspensions And A Resignation". Idol Horse. Archived from the original on 2025-05-13. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ Milnes, David (2022-12-14). "David Egan off to a flying start in Japan despite enduring 'jockey jail'". www.racingpost.com. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ "Japan's top female jockey quits after suspension over smartphone use". Japan Today. 2024-10-12. Archived from the original on 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ "藤田菜七子さんが引退後初めて公の場に登場 「たくさん休むことができたというか、リフレッシュできた感じです」 | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ "元騎手・藤田菜七子さん「たくさんの方にご迷惑を」と謝罪…引退後初の公の場で「競馬に恩返ししたい」". 読売新聞オンライン (in Japanese). 2025-04-19. Archived from the original on 2025-04-20. Retrieved 2025-05-08.