Suraj Narredu after winning the sixth race at the Sapporo Race Course, Japan.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Jockey Suraj Narredu made India proud as he added yet another glorious chapter to his illustrious career by registering his first Japan Racing Association (JRA) victory at the Sapporo Racecourse in Japan on Saturday, August 22.
Adding to the pride of the occasion, the Japanese commentator referred to Suraj as “India’s Magic Man” while calling the race, a fitting tribute to the champion jockey’s remarkable talent and achievements.
In his first appearance on Japanese soil, Suraj partnered Fier Chanter trained by Kensuke Ogura, to victory in the 2,600m race for three-year-old maidens, producing a memorable triumph on the opening day of his historic stint in Japan.
Suraj had earlier finished fourth aboard Mont Royal in the third race (1,700m), his maiden event. He then celebrated his landmark JRA success when Fier Chanter scored in the sixth race.
In the two races of the 2026 World All-Star Jockeys Championship held on Saturday, Narredu’s results earned him a total of 10 points, placing him ninth in the standings after the opening day’s two legs.
The four-race championship brings together some of the finest riders from around the globe. The series is contested over different distances and surfaces, with points awarded according to finishing positions. Saturday’s first two legs were held over 1,200m and 2,000m on turf, while the remaining two races are scheduled for Sunday, August 23, over 1,700m on dirt and 1,800m on turf.
Narredu will have four rides at Sapporo on Sunday, partnering Trigonic, Cuthbert Tesoro, Itsumo Nikoniko and Bene Spira, with his final two rides coming in the concluding legs of the World All-Star Jockeys Championship.
Published – August 22, 2026 05:55 pm IST
