Fumio Matoba, also known as "the Emperor of Ohi," achieved the lofty feat of 6,000 career wins as he rode the 6-year-old gelding Coreles Commander to victory at Ohi Racecourse late in the afternoon of Friday, June 4. The 53-year-old NAR (National Association of Racing) rider, of the Renpei Shoji stables, took the No. 6 race second choice past the finish line in front by a 3/4-length margin as he treated fans to a historic moment.
Matoba rode his mount before the crowd as he nodded in response to calls of congratulations. Posing for the winning shot aboard Coreless Commander, Matoba held his left hand and the index finger of his right hand high above the familiar red racing silks dotted with large white stars. Six fingers up, one for each of his 1,000 wins.
In a post-race interview, Matoba fielded reporters' questions on a career that has spanned nearly 37 years. Last year he posted an amazing 208 wins for the year alone. "I find it almost unbelievable that I can still win 200 races a year. It's thanks to so many people. I am just filled with appreciation, so much it brings tears to my eyes. I am blessed to be surrounded with such good trainers," Matoba said. Of the day's big event, he said, "I can't believe I've actually won 6,000 races. It's like a dream."
At nearly 54 years old, the question is how much longer Matoba can continue riding. He responded by speaking about the great responsibility he feels to all involved. "It's not just about me. It's not just about whether I win or lose. I have to be able to get the best out of a horse. I have to think of all the others involved. It's about the fans who are putting their money down on me and about the trainers, owners and grooms who are making their living from this. I have to answer their expectations.
"I'll keep riding as long as people are happy to see me. When that time comes that I'm getting in the way and causing problems for people, that's when I'll make the decision to step down," Matoba said.
Matoba spoke of the early lean years, when he had few offers to ride for some five or six years. What finally led him to success? "Doing my best and making the effort. And then you need to be able to stick with it. Your all, effort, perseverance…" Matoba fell silent, ending his sentence with repeated nods as he no doubt thought back over 6,000 wins and summed them up with but three keywords.
Is 7,000 wins a possibility? "No way, no absolute way," Matoba said laughing, as he waved his hand dismissively.
Matoba became only the third rider in Japanese racing history to have notched 6,000 wins. He is the second jockey currently riding who has achieved the feat.
His wins include 131 victories in top-level racing on the local circuit since the 1997 introduction of the graded-race system.
The record overall in Japan for total wins is held by the now retired Takemi Sasaki, who hailed from Kanto's Kawasaki Racecourse. Sasaki ended his career with 7,151 wins in 39,060 rides. Currently holding second place is Takayuki Ishizaki, who still rides from the Funabashi track. He is now 86 wins over the 6,000 mark, with 34, 056 rides as compared to Matoba's 31,031.
Comparing the NAR record to Japan's national-government organized racing, JRA (Japan Racing Association) jockey Yutaka Take holds the top with 3,343 wins in 16,068 races. Take surpassed the previous record held by now retired rider Yukio Okabe. Okabe ended his riding career with 2,943 wins in 18,646 races.
Worldwide, Canadian-born Russell Baze, 51, was long neck and neck for most wins with Brazilian jockey Jorge Ricardo. Baze, still riding, now holds the title of winningest jockey in the history of Thoroughbred horse racing with a total of 10,927 wins. He broke the previous record of 9,531 set by Laffit Pincay Jr. in December 2006.
Fumio Matoba was born in Fukuoka Prefecture on Sept. 7, 1956. He was leading jockey of all municipal-government-run tracks (NAR) in 2002 and 2003. He has been leading jockey at Ohi Racetrack 21 times starting in 1983 and for consecutive years from 1985 to 2004. Matoba's older brother, Nobuhiro, is a former trainer at Saga Racetrack. Nobuhiro's son, Naoyuki, rides alongside uncle Fumio at Ohi Racetrack.
A special ceremony to honor Matoba will be held on Ohi Racetrack on Wednesday, June 30 after the 8th race at approximately 6:15 p.m.
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