# Yuichi Fukunaga

Yuichi Fukunaga (福永 祐一, Fukunaga Yūichi, born 9 December 1976) is a Japanese horse trainer and former jockey who has won 29 Grade 1 races in Japan and abroad. He is affiliated with the Japan Racing Association (JRA) in Rittō. His father is former jockey Yoichi Fukunaga [ja] who was said to be a "genius" during his active career, and his uncle is Takashi Kitamura, also a former jockey. His wife is former Fuji TV announcer Midori Matsuo [ja]. Since July 2016, he has a management contract with Horipro together with Yuga Kawada, the entertainment production with which his wife is also affiliated.
On December 8, 2022, following his trainer license being issued by the JRA, Fukunaga announced that he would retire as a jockey at the end of February next year and make a transition in to becoming a horse trainer. Two months later, Fukunaga rode his final races in Japan at the February Stake on 19 February, and finished his racing career at the Riyadh Dirt Sprint on February 25, 2023, where he rode Remake which finished 3rd behind Elite Power. Retirement ceremonies of Fukunaga were held at Tokyo Racecourse on 19 February and on the Hanshin Racecourse on March 4.
Fukunaga officially opened his stable on 6 March 2024. Upon opening his stable, he received a number of horses from outgoing trainers, including Danon Scorpion and Dualist [ja] from Takayuki Yasuda [ja].

## Achievements
### Grade 1 race victories

Japan
* Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes - (3) - Eishin Preston (1999), Eishin Champ (2002), Fusaichi Richard (2005)
* February Stakes - (2) - Meisho Bowler (2005), Cafe Pharoah (2022)
* Hanshin Juvenile Fillies - (3) - Peace of World (2002), Rêve d'Essor (2010), Joie de Vivre (2011)
* Japan Breeding farms' Cup Classic - (1) - K T Brave (2018)
* Japan Breeding farms' Cup Sprint - (1) - Sterling Rose (2002)
* Japan Cup - (1) - Contrail (2021)
* Kawasaki Kinen - (1) - K T Brave (2018)
* Kikuka Shō - (2) - Epiphaneia (2013), Contrail (2020)
* NHK Mile Cup - (1) - Rhein Kraft (2005)
* Oka Sho - (2) - Primo Ordine (1999), Rhein Kraft (2005)
* Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup - (1) - Fusaichi Pandora (2006)
* Satsuki Sho - (2) - Contrail (2020), Geoglyph (2022)
* Shuka Sho - (1) - Vivlos (2016)
* Sprinters Stakes - (1) - Pixie Knight (2021)
* Takamatsunomiya Kinen - (3) - Sunningdale (2004), Big Arthur (2016), Mr Melody (2019)
* Teio Sho - (1) - K T Brave (2017)
* Tenno Sho Autumn - (1) - Just A Way (2013)
* Tenno Sho Spring - (1) - World Premiere (2021)
* Tokyo Yūshun - (3) - Wagnerian (2018), Contrail (2020), Shahryar (2021)
* Yasuda Kinen - (2) - Strong Return (2012), Indy Champ (2019)
* Yushun Himba - (3) - Daiwa el Cielo (2004), Cesario (2005), Robe Decollete (2007)
Hong Kong
* Hong Kong Mile - (1) - Eishin Preston (2001)
* Queen Elizabeth II Cup - (2) - Eishin Preston (2002 & 2003)
United States
* American Oaks Invitational Stakes - (1) - Cesario (2005)
United Arab Emirates
* Dubai Duty Free Stakes - (1) - Just A Way (2014)

### Riding results

Riding results are from netkeiba
| | Date | Race name | Horse name | Head count | Popularity | Finished |
| First ride–First victory | 2 March 1996 | 4-Sai Mishōri | Marbutz Brevest | 16 | 1 | 1st |
| First group race ride | 2 March 1996 | Chunichi Shimbun Hai | Oguri One | 16 | 6 | 15th |
| First group race win | 22 July 1997 | Empress Hai | Silk Phoenix | 7 | 3 | 1st |
| First JRA group race victory | 15 Nov 1997 | Tokyo SportsHai 3-Sai Stakes | King Halo | 12 | 1 | 1st |
| First G1 ride | 20 October 1996 | Shuka Sho | She's Grace | 18 | 12 | 6th |
| First G1 victory | 11 Apr 1999 | Oka Sho | Primo Ordine | 18 | 4 | 1st |

#### Statistics by year

| Year | 1st arrival | 2nd arrival | 3rd arrival | No. of riders | WP | Confidence ratio | Multiple WP | Recognition |
| 1996 | 53 | 49 | 45 | 518 | .102 | .197 | .284 | JRA Award for Best Jockey (newcomer) |
| 1997 | 62 | 59 | 56 | 692 | .090 | .175 | .256 | |
| 1998 | 52 | 52 | 55 | 635 | .082 | .164 | .250 | Kokura Turf Award |
| 1999 | 43 | 39 | 31 | 398 | .108 | .206 | .284 | |
| 2000 | 84 | 71 | 61 | 660 | .127 | .235 | .327 | Kokura Turf Award |
| 2001 | 81 | 68 | 69 | 749 | .108 | .199 | .291 | |
| 2002 | 89 | 62 | 78 | 722 | .123 | .123 | .317 | JRA Excellent Jockeys Prize |
| 2003 | 83 | 78 | 67 | 696 | .119 | .231 | .328 | |
| 2004 | 96 | 81 | 96 | 771 | .125 | .230 | .354 | JRA Excellent Jockeys PrizeKokura Turf Award |
| 2005 | 109 | 70 | 81 | 811 | .134 | .221 | .321 | JRA Excellent Jockeys Prize |
| 2006 | 88 | 69 | 87 | 820 | .107 | .191 | .298 | JRA Excellent Jockeys Prize |
| 2007 | 82 | 80 | 67 | 744 | .110 | .218 | .308 | |
| 2008 | 86 | 70 | 86 | 804 | .107 | .194 | .301 | |
| 2009 | 93 | 82 | 89 | 825 | .113 | .212 | .320 | |
| 2010 | 109 | 108 | 82 | 809 | .135 | .268 | .370 | Kansai TV Broadcasting AwardFair Play Award |
| 2011 | 133 | 98 | 84 | 824 | .161 | .280 | .382 | JRA Award for Best Jockey (winning average)Summer Jockeys Series VictoryKansai TV Broadcasting Award |
| 2012 | 115 | 101 | 72 | 741 | .155 | .291 | .389 | |
| 2013 | 131 | 103 | 103 | 844 | .155 | .277 | .399 | JRA Award for Best Jockey (races won)JRA Award for Best Jockey (winning average)Most Valuable JockeyKansai TV Broadcasting Award |
| 2014 | 118 | 111 | 92 | 751 | .157 | .305 | .427 | |
| 2015 | 121 | 112 | 75 | 738 | .164 | .316 | .417 | Kansai TV Broadcasting Award |
| 2016 | 106 | 101 | 70 | 703 | .151 | .294 | .394 | |
| 2017 | 116 | 85 | 81 | 740 | .157 | .272 | .381 | |
| 2018 | 103 | 83 | 84 | 689 | .149 | .270 | .392 | |
| 2019 | 107 | 110 | 84 | 713 | .150 | .304 | .422 | |
| 2020 | 134 | 91 | 85 | 698 | .192 | .322 | .444 | |
| 2021 | 123 | 92 | 92 | 687 | .179 | .313 | .447 | |
| 2022 | 101 | 72 | 83 | 610 | .166 | .284 | .418 | Kansai Keiba Journalist Club Sho |
| 2023 | 18 | 14 | 19 | 195 | .171 | .305 | .400 | |
| Total | 2636 | 2211 | 2064 | 19497 | .135 | .249 | .354 | |

## Magazines

* Weekly Playboy "Keiba no Shinzui" (as 2nd author) → "Yuichi Fukunaga no Leading Itchokusen" (both series ended)

## Photo albums

* Yuichi Fukunaga (Shot by Eiko Wada. Kodansha, 1997) ISBN 9784062084307