Francisco Leandro will ride in his first Group 1 race in Japan and will return to Argentina once his temporary license expires

The Brazilian jockey reflected on his current experience in the Land of the Rising Sun as he prepares to ride Ma Puce in Sunday’s Victoria Mile (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse; he also hopes to apply for a new riding license for 2027

By Diego H. Mitagstein

It is already nighttime in Japan, where the clock runs 12 hours ahead of Argentina. Still, kind and always approachable, Francisco Leandro answers with his trademark warmth the request from Global Media Turf for a fascinating interview on the program Objetivo Latino.

His smile comes as no surprise—it has long been one of his trademarks. What truly stands out, however, is the calmness and confidence in his words as he embraces a new chapter in his remarkable career, making the most of the short-term riding license granted by the Japan Racing Association after the strong impression he left during the 2025 World All-Star Jockeys competition in Sapporo, where he finished fourth.

A multiple-time leading rider in Argentina, “Leandrinho” arrived in Japan after a stint in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, an experience he reflected on candidly: “Unfortunately, I arrived a bit late because of an injury and had to start competing without being 100 percent. Expectations were always higher, but I was satisfied overall. Everything is very competitive there, and considering everything, I think I did a good job. I’m very grateful to Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga, who always supported me, and also to William Segovia and many local professionals who helped me.”

Turning to his current adventure in Japan, Leandro said: “I’m very happy with my present situation, with the reception from the Japanese public and all the people helping me here. I have a short-term license, which also requires a trainer with at least 10 horses to sponsor you. Thankfully, I was able to get that, and I’m enjoying every day.”

“When I came here in 2025, I already liked it a lot, even though the culture is completely different. I’m riding at 52 kilos and training hard because there are not many workouts—each horse takes a lot of time. They’re extremely well educated and the facilities are spectacular. I’m really enjoying it.”

As the conversation unfolds, the Brazilian rider offers more details about his daily life in Japan: “I’m about an hour and a half from Tokyo, near Miho, one of the country’s most important training centers, where I work. Life is normal: I wake up early, ride in the mornings, and race on weekends. I had been riding at Niigata, which is fairly far away, so I travel on Fridays and stay at the racetrack facilities because jockeys are required to arrive the night before—without phones or social media, only with a tablet where you can watch races, study your mounts, and prepare. It’s actually a great system because you rest well, avoid distractions, and stay fully focused. We have every comfort, with 24-hour kitchen service and everyone looking after the jockeys. Very professional.”

Now, Leandro is preparing for a moment he had dreamed about for a long time and that very few foreign riders experience in Japan: “It’s a very competitive racing scene, and you have to work hard to get mounts. Luckily, things are going better every week. In fact, this weekend I’ll ride in my first Group 1 here aboard Ma Puce (Mind Your Biscuits)in the Victoria Mile (G1-1600m). She’s trained by Yusuke Wada, the trainer I work with, and she’s doing very well. Hopefully she can run a big race.”

There is genuine optimism surrounding the mare. Ma Puce enters the Victoria Mile off a victory in the Chukyo Kinen (G3) and had previously finished second to Embroidery (Admire Mars)—one of the favorites for Sunday’s race—in the Daily Hai Queen Cup (G3) over the same Tokyo course.

“I’m going to enjoy it as much as possible because it’s an experience you don’t get every day. I’m still getting to know the horses and trying little adjustments. The other day I asked for a mare to run with her tongue tied and she improved a lot, finishing third,” he explained.

Building relationships in Japan is not easy, especially because of the language barrier, but Leandro has found support among the South American workers based at the training centers: “I talk a lot with the South American guys working there. They’ve told me details about the tracks and given me useful information. With the jockeys, honestly, I haven’t been able to build much of a relationship yet, though this Sunday I’ll finally meet some of the country’s top riders.”

“Here we work hard from Tuesday to Thursday, and it’s important for both me and my agent to be present and talk to trainers to secure mounts. Then, based on what you show in the mornings and afternoons, more opportunities come. Thankfully I’ve already won three races, and that makes people notice you more. I think I still have room to improve, and week after week I’ll keep getting better. I study my horses and everyone else’s too so I don’t give away any advantages.”

Leandro has already recorded three wins and several placings in just a couple of weeks: “I debuted and won, and that gave me a huge boost. Then I had the chance to score a double at Niigata, which was a very special day for me. Here they race both clockwise and counterclockwise, and the horses are used to it. The races develop quickly, but I realized that when you keep horses together in the bridle they run better; if you ask them too early, they struggle more. You have to keep searching for the best way to get the most out of them.”

When the conversation turns to the future, there is exciting news for Argentine racing fans: “My license can’t be renewed this season, but I can apply again for 2027, this time for three months. There’s a points system, though—if your ranking drops too much, you can’t request another license. The plan is to return to Buenos Aires in the second half of the year, maybe stopping in São Paulo first to visit my family. But I would love to come back to Japan next year. Hopefully I can keep getting good results, because that will help a lot for the future.”

Japanese racing fans, famously passionate about both the sport and its riders, have already embraced him warmly: “They treat me with so much affection. They ask for autographs, they bring me gifts. The people here are incredible, and I try to give something back in the best way possible. They’re making me feel at home. Honestly, I’m very happy.”

Asked whether he has received offers to continue his career abroad, Leandro revealed: “William Segovia told me that if I wanted to ride in Scandinavia, he could provide me with all the horses. But for now, the idea is to return to Buenos Aires and then apply again for another temporary license in Japan for 2027. The passion for racing in Argentina is enormous—maybe the biggest in the world—and that always pulls you back toward racing in front of your own people.”

Francisco Leandro is enjoying a wonderful moment professionally and living an experience few jockeys ever reach. Adding victories, earning more mounts each week, he now heads toward Sunday’s Victoria Mile (G1) at Tokyo filled with hope and ambition.

A tremendous rider, he continues carving his path in racing jurisdictions where nothing comes easily. In a few months, Argentine racing fans will once again have the chance to enjoy his talent at San Isidro, Palermo, and La Plata—although, restless as ever, he is already dreaming about returning to Japan in 2027.