Suraj Narredu to Make Historic Debut at Japan's World All-Star Jockeys
Suraj Narredu's Upcoming Challenge in Japan
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 21: Suraj Narredu, a prominent jockey from India, is gearing up for his debut in Japan at the 2026 World All-Star Jockeys (WASJ), scheduled for August 22 and 23 at Sapporo Racecourse, as per a recent announcement.
This prestigious event, organized by the Japan Racing Association (JRA), gathers elite jockeys from around the globe, showcasing their skills in one of Japan's most esteemed competitions.
Narredu is among six international jockeys invited to participate this year, joining the ranks of Richard Fourie from South Africa, Canada's Rafael Hernandez, Damian Lane and Zac Lloyd from Australia, and Marie Velon from France.
Receiving this invitation is a pivotal moment in Narredu's career, fulfilling his long-held dream of racing in Japan. The JRA has highlighted this as a significant milestone, adding to his growing international racing portfolio.
The WASJ will consist of four races over two days, with the initial two races occurring on Saturday, August 22, followed by the remaining two on Sunday, August 23. Additionally, jockeys from overseas and NAR will form Team WAS (World All-Star) to compete against Team JRA in a special team event.
Narredu's selection follows a remarkable phase in his career, where he became the first Indian jockey to achieve over 2,500 career wins in January, alongside more than 250 graded-race victories and over 100 classic titles. He has also been honored as Champion Jockey of the Year four times from 2020 to 2023.
His international racing experience includes stints in Macau, Mauritius, Malaysia, Dubai, France, Ireland, the United States, and Australia. In 2025, he debuted at the Shergar Cup in Ascot as Team Asia's captain, securing a win and contributing to his team's overall victory.
This year, he participated in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot on August 8, representing the Rest of the World Team. Now, he is focused on Japan, where he will face some of the most skilled jockeys in a new racing landscape.
Expressing his enthusiasm ahead of the event, Narredu described this opportunity as a dream realized, stating, "Riding in Japan has been a dream of mine for many years, so receiving this invitation to the World All-Star Jockeys is a very special moment in my career. Competing alongside the world's best jockeys is an incredible opportunity. I am eager to experience Japanese racing, learn from my peers, and represent India on this prestigious platform," as quoted in the announcement.
The World All-Star Jockeys was initiated by the JRA in 1987 as the World Super Jockeys Series and was rebranded in 2015 when it adopted its current summer format at Sapporo Racecourse. The competition has featured over 270 elite jockeys from various regions, including Europe, North America, South America, Oceania, and Asia.
For Narredu, this assignment in Sapporo is not just another international event; it is a chance to immerse himself in Japan's esteemed racing culture, compete against a distinguished international field, and enhance India's visibility in the global horse racing arena.
As Narredu transitions from Ascot to Sapporo, he anticipates a new challenge and another opportunity to proudly represent India on one of horse racing's most respected international stages.