JRA Announces Jockey Hokuto Miyazaki's Retirement Effective September 29

The Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced on the 24th that jockey Hokuto Miyazaki (36, Miho, freelance) will have his jockey license revoked and will retire, effective September 29, following a request from Miyazaki himself.

Miyazaki debuted in March 2007, affiliated with Keiichi Takaichi stable at Miho Training Center. On April 21 of the same year, he achieved his first JRA victory in Fukushima Race 3 aboard Original Color. He amassed a total of 181 JRA wins. His most notable achievements in graded races include winning the GIII Aichi Hai twice, in 2008 and 2010, both times riding Seraphic Romp.

In recent years, Miyazaki's riding opportunities had been declining, with his earnings this year totaling approximately 5 million yen, no wins, and only about 30 rides. It has long been known that he had a side job as a seitaishi (body therapist), and many speculate that his retirement is due to his decision to focus on this "main profession." Some fans also suggest that his remarks on social media earlier this year, and past controversies regarding his rides, might have contributed to his decision.

Fans have expressed numerous regrets over his retirement, offering words of appreciation like "Thank you for your hard work" and "Thank you." Many posts recall memories with horses he rode, including Seraphic Romp, who won the Aichi Hai, as well as Miracle Ginnia, Refrain, and Walrus. Concerns have also been raised about the future of horses he regularly rode, such as "Who will be Walrus's next jockey?" and "What will happen to Levitation, a horse I have an ownership share in?" His unique riding style, often leading "long shots" to victory, was also praised by some.

As Hokuto Miyazaki departs from his path as a jockey, fans are sending him messages of encouragement, wishing him success in his second career, such as "Good luck with your body therapy work" and "We hope you find success in your new endeavor."

The context

The Japan Racing Association (JRA) is the organization that operates and manages horse racing in Japan. Miho Training Center is one of the JRA's two major training centers, located east of Tokyo, where racehorses are trained. A "freelance" jockey is not exclusively tied to a specific stable, allowing them to ride for various trainers. The JRA categorizes its major races as "Graded Races" (重賞, usually abbreviated as G1, G2, or G3), with the GIII Aichi Hai being a significant race for fillies and mares.

The term "seitaishi" (整体師) in Japan refers to a body therapist, often performing manual therapies similar to chiropractic or osteopathic practices, focusing on skeletal and muscular alignment to alleviate pain and improve physical function. It's a profession that does not require a medical license in Japan but involves specialized training and techniques.

A jockey's career heavily relies on securing rides, and a significant decrease in opportunities, as described in the article, can impact their income and professional standing. The speculation about Miyazaki's side job becoming his "main profession" highlights a common challenge for athletes transitioning to a second career. Fan discussions on social media, including both praise and criticism, are a pervasive aspect of modern sports culture in Japan, as elsewhere.