Bengaluru: Indian jockey Suraj Narredu has created history by becoming the first Indian rider to register a victory at a Japan Racing Association (JRA) meeting. Narredu achieved the landmark feat aboard three-year-old filly Fier Chanter in a 2,600-metre race at Sapporo Racecourse on Saturday.
The victory came during Narredu’s first appearance in Japan and added another major chapter to an already remarkable career. He was specially invited to participate in the 2026 World All-Star Jockeys competition at Sapporo, one of Japan’s most prestigious international racing events.
Narredu guided Fier Chanter to victory in the race, delivering a composed ride to secure the historic result. The achievement was quickly celebrated across India’s racing community, with his success drawing attention from both Indian and Japanese racing circles. Japanese media have also taken notice of Narredu, with the accomplished rider being described as the “Magic man from India.”
The Japanese breakthrough comes after several years of international success for Narredu. Last year, he became one of the few Indian jockeys to ride at the prestigious Royal Ascot in Britain. His performances on the international stage helped strengthen his reputation and opened the door to opportunities in some of the world’s most competitive racing jurisdictions.
Narredu’s Japan appearance itself was considered a significant achievement. He was among a select group of overseas jockeys invited for the 2026 World All-Star Jockeys, joining riders from countries including Australia, South Africa, Canada and France. The competition brought leading international jockeys together at Sapporo on August 22 and 23.
The victory also adds to Narredu’s extraordinary domestic record. Earlier this year, he became the first Indian jockey to cross the 2,500-win mark in his career. He has also accumulated more than 250 graded-race victories and over 100 classic wins in Indian racing.
For Narredu, the Japanese victory carries a special personal significance as well. His uncle Malesh Narredu had ridden in Japan decades ago, and Suraj has spoken about being fascinated by the country’s racing scene from a young age. Riding and winning there has therefore represented a long-standing ambition.
The historic success at Sapporo is another major milestone for Indian horse racing. Narredu’s achievement could also help raise the profile of Indian jockeys internationally and encourage more opportunities for riders from the country to compete on the global stage.
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