Yuichi Fukunaga

 ( Official Website ) 

born 9 December 1976 is a Japanese horse trainer and former jockey who has won 29 Grade 1 races in Japan and abroad. He is affiliated with the Japan Racing Association (JRA) in Rittō. His father is former jockey who was said to be a "genius" during his active career, and his uncle is Takashi Kitamura, also a former jockey. His wife is former Fuji TV announcer . Since July 2016, he has a management contract with Horipro together with Yuga Kawada, the entertainment production with which his wife is also affiliated.

On December 8, 2022, following his Horse trainer license being issued by the JRA, Fukunaga announced that he would retire as a jockey at the end of February next year and make a transition in to becoming a horse trainer. Two months later, Fukunaga rode his final races in Japan at the February Stake on 19 February, and finished his racing career at the Saudi Cup on February 25, 2023, where he rode Remake which finished 3rd behind Elite Power. Retirement ceremonies of Fukunaga were held at Tokyo Racecourse on 19 February and on the Hanshin Racecourse on March 4.

Fukunaga officially opened his stable on 6 March 2024. Upon opening his stable, he received a number of horses from outgoing trainers, including Danon Scorpion and from .

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Achievements

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Grade 1 race victories

'''[[Japan]]'''
     

• Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes - (3) - Eishin Preston (1999), Eishin Champ (2002), Fusaichi Richard (2005)
• February Stakes - (2) - Meisho Bowler (2005), Cafe Pharoah (2022)
• Hanshin Juvenile Fillies - (3) - Peace of World (2002), Rêve d'Essor (2010), Joie de Vivre (2011)
• Japan Breeding farms' Cup Classic - (1) - K T Brave (2018)
• Japan Breeding farms' Cup Sprint - (1) - Sterling Rose (2002)
• Japan Cup - (1) - Contrail (2021)
• Kawasaki Kinen - (1) - K T Brave (2018)
• Kikuka Shō - (2) - Epiphaneia (2013), Contrail (2020)
• NHK Mile Cup - (1) - Rhein Kraft (2005)
• Oka Sho - (2) - Primo Ordine (1999), Rhein Kraft (2005)
• Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup - (1) - Fusaichi Pandora (2006)
• Satsuki Sho - (2) - Contrail (2020), Geoglyph (2022) ''
• Shuka Sho - (1) - Vivlos (2016)
• Sprinters Stakes - (1) - Pixie Knight (2021)
• Takamatsunomiya Kinen - (3) - Sunningdale (2004), Big Arthur (2016), Mr Melody (2019)
• Teio Sho - (1) - K T Brave (2017)
• Tenno Sho Autumn - (1) - Just A Way (2013)
• Tenno Sho Spring - (1) - World Premiere (2021)
• Tokyo Yūshun - (3) - Wagnerian (2018), Contrail (2020), Shahryar (2021)
• Yasuda Kinen - (2) - Strong Return (2012), Indy Champ (2019)
• Yushun Himba - (3) - Daiwa el Cielo (2004), Cesario (2005), Robe Decollete (2007)

'''[[Hong Kong]]'''
     

• Hong Kong Mile - (1) - Eishin Preston (2001)
• Queen Elizabeth II Cup - (2) - Eishin Preston (2002 & 2003)

'''[[United States]]'''
     

• American Oaks Invitational Stakes - (1) - Cesario (2005)

'''United Arab Emirates'''
     

• Dubai Duty Free Stakes - (1) - Just A Way (2014)

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Riding results Riding results are from netkeiba

1st
First group race ride	2 March 1996	Chunichi Shimbun Hai	Oguri One	16	6	15th
First group race win	22 July 1997	Empress Hai	Silk Phoenix	7	3	1st
1st
First G1 ride	20 October 1996	Shuka Sho	She's Grace	18	12	6th
1st

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Statistics by year

JRA Award for Best Jockey (newcomer)
Kokura Turf Award
Kokura Turf Award
JRA Excellent Jockeys Prize
JRA Excellent Jockeys Prize
JRA Excellent Jockeys Prize
Kansai TV Broadcasting Award
2016	106	101	70	703	.151	.294	.394
2017	116	85	81	740	.157	.272	.381
2018	103	83	84	689	.149	.270	.392
2019	107	110	84	713	.150	.304	.422
2020	134	91	85	698	.192	.322	.444
2021	123	92	92	687	.179	.313	.447
2022	101	72	83	610	.166	.284	.418	Kansai Keiba Journalist Club Sho
2023	18	14	19	195	.171	.305	.400

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Magazines

• Weekly Playboy "Keiba no Shinzui" (as 2nd author) → "Yuichi Fukunaga no Leading Itchokusen" (both series ended)

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Photo albums

• Yuichi Fukunaga (Shot by Eiko Wada. Kodansha, 1997)

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See also

• List of jockeys

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External links

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