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| Staff Writer |
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In a nation where professional racing remains starkly male-dominated, Kyoko Maekawa's appointment as Japan Racing Association's (JRA) first female trainer marks a seismic shift in the sport's 70-year history. At 47, this trailblazing horsewoman isn't just claiming a position among the elite ranks of JRA trainers; she's rewriting the narrative for women in Asian horse racing.
December 2023 marked a watershed moment when Maekawa emerged victorious from a rigorous selection process that saw 133 applicants compete for the coveted trainer's licence. As one of only nine successful candidates, her achievement resonates far beyond the traditional confines of Japanese racing, heralding a new era of inclusivity in a sport long dominated by male leadership.
With two decades of experience at Ritto Training Centre and an apprenticeship under internationally acclaimed trainer Yoshito Yahagi, Maekawa brings a wealth of expertise to her historic role. Her journey, from building a backyard riding arena in her teens to accompanying Yahagi's runners on international campaigns, embodies the evolving face of Japanese racing in the global arena.
"There have only been a small number of female applicants so far," Maekawa notes, her voice carrying the weight of responsibility that comes with being a pioneer. "I hope more women will enter the horse racing industry." As she prepares to launch her training operation in March 2025, her story resonates with aspiring horsewomen across Asia, suggesting that the sport's future may look very different from its past.
Growing up in Tomisato, Chiba Prefecture, Maekawa's equine passion was kindled by an unusual Japanese landscape dotted with horse ranches. Her first encounter with horses at age 11 sparked a dedication that would shape her future. Her commitment manifested in building a riding arena in her backyard during junior high school, where she honed her skills daily.
"There was a ranch on the way to the nursery school," Maekawa recalls. "One of my mother's colleagues at the city hall had a horse and let me ride it. The horse was high and scary, so I was reluctant at first. But gradually I got better at riding, and it started to be fun."
The path to becoming a trainer wasn't straightforward. After university, she worked part-time at the Miho Training Center. "After that, I took the Japan Racing Association's employment exam but failed. So, I worked on a ranch and then entered the JRA Racing School. I started my career as a stable staff member," she shares, reflecting on her journey.
After securing her trainer's license, Maekawa chose to apprentice under renowned trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who was known for his international success. Her apprenticeship has already yielded significant exposure to global racing, including involvement with Shin Emperor, a Group Three winner and third-place finisher in the Gr.1 Japanese Derby.
"I had read Yahagi's books in the past and was impressed, so a day after I passed the trainer's exam, I went to his stables and asked if I could learn from him. Mr Yahagi has many horses in races, so I was interested in what kind of care he takes,” Maekawa shares. "All the stable staff had the know-how for overseas trips. They were also used to it, so they worked with a calm mind. I felt that this experience would definitely come in handy when I was in a position to travel overseas. Before, I thought Yahagi was a bit scary, but in reality, he was a wonderful person who was considerate of others, and I learned a lot from him."
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Maekawa's experience with Yahagi's stable has taken her to racing jurisdictions worldwide, including Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Her positive experiences in the Middle East have shaped her global outlook.
"The Middle East has good public safety, and the people are kind. It's modernised and clean, the Mosques are beautiful, and I've grown to like the culture," she reflects. "As for travelling abroad with horses, it isn't necessarily limited to the Middle East, but if I have the chance, I'd like to go out into the world as much as possible. I think it's good for horses to have more options."
Her recent visit to Deauville's Arqana Sales in August 2024 marks another step toward her international aspirations, where she observed yearlings by leading European stallions, including Frankel, whose progeny commanded US$870,000 during the opening session.
From an initial field of 133 applicants, Maekawa emerged as one of nine successful candidates for the 2024 JRA license, becoming the first woman among nearly 200 licenced trainers. Her achievement is particularly noteworthy given Japan's traditionally conservative racing culture.
"Since I was born female, it doesn't feel very special to me," she says with characteristic modesty. "But since passing the examination, lots of people have contacted me offering support. Now I feel lucky to be the first."
Maekawa's perspective on gender in racing is refreshingly pragmatic. "When I say there are no female trainers, that only applies to the JRA. There are a few female trainers in the NAR. There are plenty around the world, so I had no concerns about that. It is true that women’s muscular strength is weaker than men's, but in the job of a trainer, I don't think that's a big negative."
As a married mother of a 17-year-old daughter, Maekawa hopes to inspire more women to enter the industry. "The world of horse racing in Japan is overwhelmingly male, with very few women. From the perspective of securing human resources, I would like to see more women enter the industry, so I would like to be an advertising tool for the industry."
Her approach to training focuses on attention to detail and preventive care. "If you can notice the small details of a horse both physically and mentally and take care of it in advance, you will be able to make it into a race and its performance will improve," she explains. "Naturally, there will be fewer breakdowns."
Set to launch her training operation in March 2025 at Ritto Training Centre, Maekawa maintains a balanced perspective about her pioneering role: "I don't feel like I'm a pioneer. I think horse training is a field that has the least gender-related relationship.”
Her email address beginning with 'ilovehorse' perhaps best encapsulates her fundamental motivation - a genuine passion for horses that transcends gender barriers and cultural constraints. As she prepares to take this historic step, Maekawa's story represents not just a personal achievement but a potential catalyst for change in Japanese racing.
The significance of Maekawa's achievement extends beyond the confines of Japanese racing. Having visited major racing jurisdictions, including Ireland's Kildare and Britain's Newmarket, she embodies a new generation of Asian trainers with global aspirations. Her success could pave the way for more diversity in a sport that has traditionally been male-dominated in Japan despite women comprising 70% of recreational riders in the country.
"I have been married and given birth. I have a 17-year-old daughter. I was an officer when she was in kindergarten, and I have attended presentations at various events. And yet, I was able to become a trainer," she reflects, highlighting the possibility of balancing family life with a demanding career in racing.
As she prepares to welcome her first string of horses in March 2025, Maekawa's journey serves as an inspiration not just for aspiring female trainers in Japan, but for anyone facing institutional barriers in their chosen field. Her story suggests that with determination, expertise, and a genuine love for sport, traditional barriers can be overcome.
"I was contacted by horse owners who saw the news that I had passed the trainer's exam," she concludes. "Being a woman is not a disadvantage; in some ways, it is an advantage. There will be many things that don't go as planned when I actually start my own business, but I'll do my best to help my horses win big races and ensure they are treasured and live long lives."
With the support of the racing community, both domestic and international, Maekawa stands poised to write a new chapter in Japanese racing history, one that could inspire generations of horsewomen to follow in her groundbreaking footsteps.