As the Saudi Cup draws closer, Kyoto Maekawa, the first JRA-licensed female trainer, told Nick Luck about her runner in the world’s richest race.
“Here we are in February 2026,” declared Nick Luck on today’s episode of his Nick Luck Daily podcast, “with somebody who’s on the cusp of making a bit of history.”
He was referring to Japanese trainer Kyoto Maekawa, the first woman to be licensed by the JRA, administrator of top-level racing in Japan.
Luck revealed that he had met Maekawa in Australia a couple of years ago, where she’d shared some of her plans. He was, however, surprised to find her with a Saudi Cup runner so soon after taking up the license.
“I’m so pleased to have my horse here,” said Maekawa, speaking through an interpreter. “It’s such a big international stage.”
Maekawa explained that she thought the Saudi Cup distance would suit her runner, the five-year-old entire Sunrise Zipangu, who has won at Group 3 level and been placed more than once at Group 1 level.
She believed he’d “perform well on Saturday.”
Maekawa told Luck that she rode as a child, before deciding she wanted to “dedicate” her life to the racing or equine industry.
“I got the opportunity to be involved with the racing side doing a part-time job with some of the JRA facilities,” she explained, adding that she then worked as an exercise rider.
“I didn’t really think about becoming a trainer,” she admitted, “but I tried and, luckily, I got licensed.”
Luck informed listeners that Maekawa had spent “a lot of time” with Yoshito Yahagi, who trains the Saudi Cup’s defending champion Forever Young.
“Mr Yahagi travels all over the world,” said Maekawa. “He’s everywhere, but he prepares very well. That’s something I learned. He prepares well to get the best out of his horses.”
Maekawa’s Saudi Cup representation comes at a time of wider increased female representation in Japan. Sanae Takaichi, the country’s first female prime minister, secured a landslide victory in a general election on Sunday.
Maekawa, however, admitted she hadn’t noticed an influx of prospective female trainers in Japan, even if she hopes her success can inspire a “grassroots” movement.
“It’ll take time,” she concluded, “but it’ll be great if somebody follows me.”
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