Former Breeders’ Cup winner, top Japanese jockey head to Mouttet Mile
Published:Sunday | November 26, 2023 | 12:12 AMOrane Buchanan - Staff Reporter
THE ANTICIPATION surrounding the second running of the Mouttet Mile, the richest race in the English-speaking Caribbean, carrying a purse of approximately US$150,000 (J$23 million) has risen to another level following news that French jockey Julien Leparoux and Japan’s Daisuke Fukumoto have been confirmed for the December 2 run-off at Caymanas Park.
Speaking with The Sunday Gleaner, Solomon Sharpe, chairman of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited, explained that from the get-go the intention was always to have international horses and jockeys in Jamaica for the Mouttet Mile and with less than a week before the event, the stars are aligning.
“This is a milestone moment for horse racing in Jamaica. There was always a big intention to have an international event and things are unfolding and getting very exciting as we already have three overseas entrants in EASY AS ABC, American Tap and Rough Entry. We have been canvassing in North America to get a few jockeys and Daisuke Fukumoto out of Japan and France-born Julien Leparoux are the latest to be confirmed,” he explained
Leparoux is a former French eclipse award-winning jockey and has won seven Breeders’ Cup races. Known for his finesse, Leparoux currently plies his trade in the United States of America.
Fukumoto, a young Japanese rider with 2,590 career starts, has won 275 races, placed second 267 times and third on 290 occasions.
According to Sharpe, the request of local horse-racing fans was listened to and with the arrival of Leparoux and Fukumoto, those fans will be in for a treat come December 2.
“It’s really just an exciting time for Caymanas Park. Having them is a big deal for us and we think it’s going to have a very positive effect as we’ve listened to the fans. We are going to give them a treat, so we’ve made it free of charge for the Grandstand and the Cub Stand areas,” said Sharpe.
Sharpe also believes local jockeys will learn a lot from Leparoux and Fukumoto during their short stint at Caymanas Park.
“I think one of the biggest things that will happen from this, is it will give our jockeys more exposure. Daisuke had struck up a relationship with Shane Ellis at Woodbine, which led to him wanted to ride here, as he loved the vibes, not only from Shane, but the Jamaicans around him.
“When Julien heard from his agent that he was coming to Jamaica, he said it was a no-brainer and he is bringing his family to make a good time out of it.”