Japanese Star Nanako Fujita Triumphs in Sweden

Nanako Fujita, a rising star in Japan, made her first European victories count, landing the third running of the June 30 Women Jockeys' World Cup at Bro Park in Stockholm. 

Fujita, who is the only female jockey on the Japan Racing Association circuit, got off the mark in the second leg over seven furlongs, at the expense of defending champion Josefin Landgren, who had to settle for second overall. 

The 21-year-old made a decisive blow when she took the concluding 10 1/2-furlong contest on Chilterns, achieving a total of 48 points. 

"This is an incredible moment," Fujita said. "It's only my fourth season as a jockey, and it's going to be a really big boost for my career."

The jockey, who was the only competitor to ride two winners, added: "It's very important I keep doing my best, and I always try to keep improving. I really hope this will encourage other girls to become jockeys."

Elliott and Ralston on the Board

It was an excellent afternoon for the British and Irish riders as Jane Elliott and Sophie Ralston rode winners.

A late replacement for Hayley Turner, Elliott traveled to Bro Park on the morning of the event but showed no sign of fatigue with a composed ride on Nastenka in leg four.

"It's a great buzz, everybody is delighted to be here, and it's a really good atmosphere," she said. "Full credit to the trainer. He told me to keep at her, and she'll respond. Now she's got her head in front, she can hopefully progress."

Ralston, on a high after riding out her seven-pound claim this month, produced a coaxing ride on Mindbender, whose connections were pleasantly surprised by the victory in the third leg.

"The trainer didn't say he had a particularly good chance," she said. "They didn't say anything of how the race might go, so it was a bit unexpected. But I'm delighted, and he did it really well."