Shergar Cup-winning captain Yuga Kawada lands all-star challenge on home soil

Yuga Kawada, who captained the Rest of the World team to Shergar Cup victory at Ascot earlier this month, has gained individual honours back home in Japan with victory in the World All Star Jockeys tournament at Sapporo.

His total of 70 points saw him finish a comfortable 12 clear of fellow Japan Racing Association representative Christophe Lemaire, in an event contested by 14 riders, coming from the two branches of the sport in Japan and around the world. Ireland's Colm O'Donoghue was joint-tenth with 16 points.

Kawada said: “I always feel relieved to have accomplished my job when I win a race, and I’m delighted to receive this personal award. It’s always a great opportunity for me to compete against top Japanese jockeys and great jockeys from around the world. I am feeling so good because I can look down on Christophe!"

Lemaire mounted a strong defence of the crown but ultimately came up short of his JRA colleague.

Lemaire said: “I was able to do really well this year but Yuga was too strong. I hope to participate in the series again next year.”

Honourable third

French rider Mickaelle Michel claimed her first win in Japan en route to finishing on 53 points, tied for third with Hong Kong representative Karis Teetan.

Mickaelle Michel claimed her first victory in Japan as she finished joint-third in the competition

Michel said: “I am really happy and honoured to be here today as a representative of France and all female jockeys. Lisa [Allpress] and Nanako [Fujita] are also here and have ridden in many stakes races, and I hope to be given the chance to ride in such races back home in France.

"I've come to Japan for the first time, but many fans knew me and cheered even when I didn't win. I love this nation. I'd like to come back to Japan to ride some day."

Teetan added: “I am very happy to be here and on this podium, dead-heating with Mickaelle. I’m happy to represent Hong Kong. I hope I’ll be able to come back.”

Final standings

1 Yuga Kawada (JRA) 70

2 Christophe Lemaire (JRA) 58

3= Karis Teetan (HK) 53

3= Mickaelle Michel (FR) 53

5 Keita Tosaki (JRA) 39

6 Yutaka Take (JRA) 37

7 Tomohiro Yoshimura (NAR) 34

8 Julien Leparoux (USA) 24

9 Suguru Hamanaka (JRA) 19

10= Colm O’Donoghue (IRE) 16

10= Kosei Miura (JRA) 16

12 Lisa Allpress (NZ) 15

13= Nanako Fujita (JRA) 7

13= Fumio Matoba (NAR) 7

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