Kota Fujioka’s funeral held at the Ritto Training Center in Shiga Prefecture = afternoon on the 15th
The funeral for JRA jockey Kota Fujioka, who died on the 10th at the age of 35 after falling from a horse during a race, was held jointly by the JRA and the Japan Jockey Club on the 15th at the Ritto Training Center in Ritto City, Shiga Prefecture. The venue, which was attended by about 1,000 people including JRA officials at the JRA’s announcement, was filled with deep sadness at the untimely farewell to the active jockey, who boasted a total of 803 wins in the JRA.
Jockey Toyo Take, vice-chairman of the funeral committee and president of the Japan Jockey Club, gave the eulogy and said, “I will continue to ride with your thoughts in my heart. Thank you, Kota. Thank you for your hard work.” In addition, Fujioka’s fellow jockey Shun Hamanaka said through tears, “He was my best friend and rival. I feel the most regret for Kota.”