Tom Hashimoto: “Racing Can’t Be Just Local, It Has to Be Global”

An executive with the Japan Racing Association, Tom Hashimoto visited Argentina and extended an invitation to Francisco Leandro for the upcoming World All Star Jockeys. He also delivered a clear message about the sport’s future: greater connectivity and increased internationalization

Tom Hashimoto Attended the Estrellas at Palermo and the Japan Racing Association Prize / HAPSA

By Diego H. Mitagstein

The visit of Tom Hashimoto to Argentina was far from routine. Arriving from New York, where he serves as General Manager and official representative of the Japan Racing Association (JRA), his presence carried a clear purpose: to personally invite Francisco Leandro to compete in the World All Star Jockeys, the prestigious international riding competition set for August 23-24 at Sapporo Racecourse in Japan.

“This time I came to invite Francisco Leandro to participate in the international jockeys’ tournament in Japan. That is the main reason for my visit,” Hashimoto explained in an exclusive interview with Turf Diario, highlighting the symbolic and practical significance of the call-up. It will mark the first time a jockey based in South America and actively riding in the region represents the continent in an event of this caliber.

But Hashimoto is no stranger to global racing circles. His professional background is both vast and international. “I work as General Manager of JRA’s New York office. My main job is to invite horses from the United States and Canada to the Japan Cup and other international races in Japan,” he said. Beyond that, he spent many years in JRA’s International Department, representing Japan in forums such as the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and the Asian Racing Federation. “That’s where I met Mr. Horacio Esposito, representing OSAF, and we have maintained a good relationship and exchange of ideas between Japan and South America.”

For Hashimoto, this cross-regional dialogue is not merely a courtesy—it is a necessity. “I believe racing is truly an international business. Nowadays, Japanese racing is of very high quality. But the foundation of Japanese racing is deeply connected to broodmares from Argentina,” he emphasized. That genetic heritage—complemented by imported stallions and long-term strategies—helped transform Japan into a global powerhouse in both racing and breeding.

Thus, the relationship with South America is both historic and strategic. Hashimoto underscored this point while reflecting on his visit to San Isidro. “This morning I was very impressed watching training at Campo 2. The jockeys and grooms exercise horses bareback. That showed me the physical strength and skill of riders here. The equestrian culture and horsemanship background are very different from Japan’s. And that is why the quality of Argentine and South American racing is so high.”

His vision, clear and respectful, also acknowledges the region’s challenges in fully integrating into major Northern Hemisphere and Asian circuits. “One of the biggest obstacles is quarantine issues. It’s very complicated. But in the future, it is possible. We need to make racing more international. That is the path for global growth,” he emphasized.

Within this context, Francisco Leandro’s participation in Sapporo is more than a simple trip; it is a statement of principle. “I believe South American jockeys have great physical ability. Francisco has a real chance to win, to be the champion of the tournament. But there’s one thing to consider: Sapporo is a right-handed track. In Argentina, all tracks are left-handed. Adapting to that will be key,” Hashimoto analyzed, his excitement evident.

Hashimoto also shared his broader perspective on global racing’s current landscape. “I think the most important thing is internationalization. Racing’s history has always been about a mix of cultures and bloodlines. That is why it is essential not to remain domestic. We need to export and import horses, but also jockeys, trainers, owners… Everyone should participate in international events,” he said, convinced that opening borders is the way to sustain the industry’s vitality.

Reflecting on Japan’s current dominance on international tracks—from Saudi Arabia to Dubai to the U.S.—Hashimoto offered a brief historical insight. “Japan has a long racing history. A key turning point was importing Sunday Silence (Halo) from the U.S. That changed everything.”

But success was not only about genetics. “At first, we competed in international races without good results, but we learned. We studied how to run, how to prepare. And over time, we improved. Breeding is central to racing development, and Japan has advanced greatly in that area,” he noted.

Japan also stands out for its massive on-track attendance, a rarity as many countries struggle to attract crowds. Asked about this phenomenon, Hashimoto highlighted two keys: education and pop culture. “We have school programs where we take horses to elementary and high schools. The kids can touch them, get to know them. That builds a real connection from a young age,” he explained.

Then he smiled as he referenced a cultural force few would expect as a marketing tool: “We were very lucky with Umamusume, a popular video game and anime series. It helped promote racing tremendously among young people. That was key to renewing the fan base.”

Thus, Hashimoto’s visit not only brought an invitation to a top jockey like Francisco Leandro. It also reinforced a bridge between two worlds that, while geographically distant, share the same passion and challenge: to make racing ever more connected, international, and sustainable.

“Racing can’t be just local. It has to be global. And for that, South America is fundamental,” Hashimoto concluded.

Spoken like a true global leader—viewing the world from Japan, with a watchful eye always on these southern latitudes.