Kazushi Kimura Earns First Woodbine Jockey Title

Kazushi Kimura earned his first Woodbine jockey crown, becoming the first Japanese-born rider to achieve the feat, with 138 wins at the meet, while his mounts earned CA$6,360,203 million.

"It's a special achievement, and it was one of my dreams," said the 22-year-old Kimura. "Everybody wants to be a leading rider, but it's not easy. We just need great riding skills and good horses, good support from the trainers and owners for the whole season to be able to get the title. This year, I'd say I improved, and I got good support from trainers and owners. I appreciate that help for me to get the riding title."

Born in Hokkaido, Kimura joined the Woodbine jockey colony as a 19-year-old apprentice in 2018 and made a strong first impression. He finished his first Woodbine campaign sixth in the standings with 89 wins and his mounts totaled more than $2.3 million in earnings. His first victory came aboard 70-1 longshot Tornado Cat, and his first stakes win came aboard Speedy Soul  in the 2018 OLG Muskoka Stakes Presented by Ballycroy Training Centre. The Eclipse Award winner as North America's outstanding apprentice, Kimura also won the Sovereign Award equivalent in both 2018 and 2019.

This year, Kimura won eight stakes at the Toronto oval, including Corelli  in the Singspiel Stakes (G3T), Our Secret Agent  in the Hendrie Stakes (G3), Frosted Over  in the Ontario Derby (G3), and Swinging Mandy  in the Victorian Queen Stakes.

Mark Casse topped the trainer leaderboard for the 13th time courtesy of 110 wins. Martin Drexler took second spot in the standings with 56 wins, while Kevin Attard was third with 55 victories. Casse led all conditioners in purse earnings with CA$8,189,186, followed by Attard and Josie Carroll.

Highlights were many for Casse, who recorded 27 Woodbine stakes victories, 19 more than his closest rival.

A lifetime winner of 3,226 races, the dual Hall of Fame horseman has plenty of reasons to be thrilled with his 2021 campaign, Woodbine and beyond.

"For us, not just in Toronto, and all over, it's been a really good year. I'm excited because we have a lot of nice young prospects, too, with God of Love  winning the Grey Stakes (G3) and Cup and Saucer, Mrs. Barbara  winning the Mazarine Stakes (G3), Golden Glider—those kinds of horses. The horse I ran on Saturday at Woodbine, Sir for Sure, he's a maiden, but he's a really nice horse, and it will be fun to watch him going long next year."

When did Casse know it was going to be a prosperous campaign?

"You never know. I'm kind of like the gambler playing poker. I never count my money when I'm sitting at the table."  

Casse has high praise for his team at Woodbine.

"We have wonderful people that have been with us for a long time. They are very dedicated and passionate in what they do, day in and day out. A lot of people might not know, but our entire staff are all Canadians. This was a trying year for everybody because of the late start, but we made sure the horses were ready."

Casse is hopeful the 2022 Woodbine racing season brings with it a return to normalcy.

"Our season is geared towards Woodbine. Obviously, we run at different places, but over the years, we've built up a strong Canadian group, not just in horses, but owners. They want to see their horses and get out there and enjoy the racing, so hopefully, in 2022, we can all have the type of year everyone is used to."

Before the start of the new season here, Casse, a 13-time Sovereign Award winner as Canada's outstanding trainer, will continue to speak highly of his attachment to Woodbine.

"Wherever I go, Woodbine and my name seem to go hand-in-hand. And that is something I am very proud of."

Gary Barber was the leading money-winning owner of the meet for the third straight campaign, followed by Live Oak Plantation and Ivan Dalos.