Kyoko Maekawa breaks barriers and makes history at the Saudi Cup

The first woman to obtain a trainer's license from the Japan Racing Association is betting on Sunrise Zipangu in the world's most expensive race

Kyoko Maekawa will be the first female Japanese trainer to run in the Saudi Cup / JRA

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia.- Japanese horse racing does not stop in its ambition to conquer the world's great stages, but this time history has a special nuance. Kyoko Maekawa, who just a year ago broke barriers by becoming the first woman to obtain a trainer's license from the Japan Racing Association (JRA), already has her sights set on the richest race on the planet: the Saudi Cup (G1), with 20 million dollars in prize money.

Only twelve months after receiving her license in March 2025, the professional—who trained as the right hand of the legendary Yoshito Yahagi—will seek glory at King Abdulaziz Racecourse this coming February 14th with Sunrise Zipangu (Kizuna).

The legacy of a master

Maekawa is no amateur on the international stage. During her time with Yahagi, she was part of the successes of Panthalassa (Lord Kanaloa) in the 2023 Saudi Cup. "It was an extremely valuable time. I traveled abroad 9 times through 6 different countries, including Saudi Arabia. It was a precious experience attending those international meetings and sales," recalls the 48-year-old trainer.

From her mentor, she inherited the audacity to enter races and the capacity for analysis: "I was fascinated by how Yahagi's team decided which race to enter at the last moment after thoroughly studying the fields. I run my horses quite frequently, probably more than most rookie trainers, something I learned directly from him."

An all-terrain contender for Riyadh

Her card for the grand prize is Sunrise Zipangu, a son of Kizuna coming off a career-defining performance in the Arima Kinen (G1) on the turf, where he finished only 2 lengths back in the 2500 meters of that unique competition. For his foray into Arabia, the bay will drop down to 1800 meters and change surfaces.

"Sunrise Zipangu has been competing mainly on turf lately, but he has the speed necessary to perform on the sand. I believe that type of horse adapts well to Saudi Arabia, and he also prefers running counter-clockwise," Maekawaexplained.

As a reminder, Panthalassa himself bested the challenge of changing tracks; Pink Kamehameha (Leontes) took the Saudi Derby (G3) also changing surfaces; and Marche Lorraine (Orfevre) won the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) with a background on the grass.

Breaking molds

Despite the media pressure that comes with being a pioneer, Maekawa keeps her feet on the ground. She recalled that it was a talk in Newmarket with Hanako Varian (wife of trainer Roger Varian) that pushed her to take the exam after 15 years of doubt. "She told me: 'Why don't you try it? Don't think about it so much.'"

Today, with the support of Life House Co. Ltd—the same owners who gave her her first victory as a trainer with Sunrise Ares (Duramente)—Kyoko Maekawa prepares to represent Japan at the great event. "It is a great honor. The Saudi Cup was my first international meeting with Yahagi 2 years ago and I was deeply impressed by the hospitality. It is a wonderful country," she concluded.

On February 14th, the trainer who learned to win with the best will seek to have her name engraved forever in the great history of world horse racing.