Woodbine-Based Kimura Earns Apprentice Jockey Eclipse

Kazushi Kimura added another piece of hardware to the mantel when he was named outstanding apprentice jockey Jan. 23 at the Eclipse Awards. 

The 20-year-old rider, who had already taken home a Sovereign Award for his 2018 campaign, did one better with a stellar 2019 season in which he led all other North American-based apprentice jockeys in earnings. Kimura was Woodbine's leading apprentice for the second consecutive season and finished strong even after losing his bug Oct. 12.

Third in the overall standings when the Toronto track's meet ended in December, he wrapped up the year with a 148-134-117 record from 871 mounts, with earnings of $4,746,556, a 17% win statistic, and a 46% in-the-money rate. 

From the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, Kimura learned to ride at his parents' training center when he was just 6 years old. He honed his skills with a 2 1/2-year stint at the Japan Racing Association's Horseracing School in Shiroi City, Chiba Prefecture, before taking a chance in 2018 on a trip to Canada, where he thrived. 

Highlights of Kimura's 2019 season include runner-up finishes aboard Queen Elizabeth II's Magnetic Charm in the Canadian Stakes Presented by the Japan Racing Association (G2T) and aboard Painting in the Bessarabian Stakes (G2).

"I've got so much help from a lot of trainers and grooms and so many people," Kimura told Woodbine's publicity department. "That's why I appreciate everybody."