Indian jockey Suraj Narredu secures prestigious Japan racing invitation

Indian racing icon Suraj Narredu is preparing for his highly anticipated debut at Japan's prestigious 2026 World All-Star Jockeys (WASJ) tournament. Scheduled for August 22 and 23 at Sapporo Racecourse, this event marks a major international leap for India's most accomplished active rider. Suraj Narredu joins an exclusive lineup of six overseas jockeys chosen for this year's competition. He will race alongside international stars such as Richard Fourie from South Africa, Canada's Rafael Hernandez, Damian Lane and Zac Lloyd from Australia, and France's Marie Velon.

Elite Competition Format

Organized by the Japan Racing Association (JRA), the tournament features four challenging races spread across two days. Riders will compete in two legs on Saturday and the final two on Sunday. Furthermore, international and National Association of Racing (NAR) riders will form Team WAS to compete directly against Team JRA in a specialized group contest. Horse racing in Japan is considered among the most competitive globally, demanding exceptional tactical skill from participating athletes. This esteemed contest originated in 1987 under the name World Super Jockeys Series, eventually moving to its current summer schedule in Sapporo during 2015. Over the decades, it has hosted more than 270 top-tier riders from around the globe.

Record-Breaking Career Statistics

January 2026 proved to be historic for Narredu when he became the first Indian jockey to cross 2,500 career victories. His remarkable track record includes more than 250 domestic graded-race wins and over 100 classic titles. He also secured the Champion Jockey of the Year award four consecutive times between 2020 and 2023. Earlier this year, he represented the Rest of the World Team at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot, following his successful 2025 debut as Team Asia's captain.

Speaking about his upcoming Japan appearance, Narredu called it a dream come true. "Riding in Japan has been a dream of mine for many years, so receiving this invitation to the World All-Star Jockeys is a very special moment in my career," he stated. He expressed immense excitement about experiencing Japanese racing culture and proudly representing India on such a respected stage.