From Aug. 23-24, Sapporo Racecourse on Hokkaido Island will play host to the 2025 World All-Star Jockeys.
Fourteen jockeys will ride four races each during the two days, and a point system will determine a winner. The winner will receive ¥3 million (approx. US$19,100), in addition to a trophy that values ¥300,000 (approx. US$1,910).
Six of the jockeys are invited from overseas, including Cristian Torres from the United States. Other international riders include Alexis Badel from Hong Kong, Francisco Goncalves from Argentina, Thore Hammer-Hansen from Germany, Karis Teetan from Hong Kong, and Craig Williams from Australia. While this is the first attempt at World All-Star Jockeys for Goncalves, Hansen, and Torres, Williams has competed at this event 12 times before and became champion in 2007.
Japanese representatives are Yuichi Kitamura, Keita Tosaki, Ryusei Sakai, Yutaka Take, Norihiro Yokoyama, Takeshi Yokoyama, Christophe Lemaire, and Masashige Honda, who is based at Funabashi of the National Association of Racing. Norihiro Yokoyama, 57, and Takeshi Yokoyama, 24, are father and son. While this is the 11th attempt for Norihiro and third attempt for Takeshi, this is the first time the father and son ride together in World All-Star Jockeys.
The Japan Racing Association started the World All-Star Jockeys in 1987 where it was conducted at Hanshin Racecourse on the first weekend of December as the "World Super Jockeys Series." It was transferred to Sapporo Racecourse in 2015 and moved to August under the new name.
