Personal story CASE2
Father and son, 2 generations devoted to the profession
Shota Nishi (27 years old)
His father, Yasuyuki Nishi, was a former jockey at “Banei Horse Racing,” and a current trainer.
His uncle, Hiromi Nishi, was also a former jockey turned trainer.
His cousin, Kenichi Nishi, is a current jockey. Shota is the 4th jockey in the Nishi family.
After graduating from Shizunai Agricultural High School, Department of Manufacturing,
he worked as a groom at Obihiro Horse Race Track,
and obtained jockey’s license in 2010. He rode his first race on January 9th, 2011.
He won the G1 “Banei Derby” in 2012.
2-1Helping in the stables as a child
Enjoyed taking care of horses since childhood
Enrolled at Shizunai Agricultural High School
to learn about horses
Since my father was a jockey for Banei Horse Races,
and was constantly traveling throughout Hokkaido,
I lived in Aomori, where my relatives lived,
from birth to when I was in 6th grade.
I was at the tracks during summer and winter breaks.
I had decided to become a jockey when I was in elementary school.
Caring for horses was like playing to me,
so I had more fun helping out in the stables
than playing with my friends.
I wanted to work at the racetrack right after junior high school,
but because my parents insisted that I go to high school,
I went to Shizunai Agricultural High School, where I could learn about horses.
I joined its horsemanship club and learned how to ride a horse.
Horseback riding and Banei horse racing, where the jockey rides on a sled, are different,
but the way to manipulate the “bit,” connecting the rider to the horse, is the same.
There are many commonalities,
so it would be nice if some of them ended up benefiting me now.
2-2Father and son, 2 generations working for Banei Horse Racing
I had not doubts
about becoming a jockey
for Banei horse racing
Immediately after graduating from Shizunai Agricultural High School,
I started working as a groom at Obihiro Horse Race Track,
When I started working there,
Banei horse racing was at the risk of dissolution,
but I had no intention of riding Thoroughbreds.
It was what I had been watching since I was a child,
and I believed that “there is no other form of horse racing for me!”.
Therefore, I had no doubts
about becoming a jockey for Banei horse racing.
I was willing to go anywhere to ride in Banei horse races.
I had been at the stables in Obihiro since high school, during long breaks from school,
and I truly enjoyed working with horses,
even when I had to wake up at 4am, before sunrise.
After I started getting involved with the training,
it was fun to watch the horses grow.
I was so busy with the horses that
I hardly went home to my mother.
2-3Transitioning from a groom to a jockey in 2010
A 200m course to overcome 2 obstacles
Race from the horse’s perspective
I passed the jockey examination in 2010 and became a jockey.
My father was actually against me becoming a jockey.
Like my father, my body is relatively large,
which makes losing weight very difficult.
I knew this going in, so I was ready for it.
As a groom, I was particularly fond of the horses I was caring for.
When I became a jockey, however, I started treating all horses equally,
such that I was prepared to race on any of them.
My first race as a jockey was on January 9th, 2011.
Banei horse racing is on a straight 200m course,
where the horses are each pulling a 1-ton sled.
Along the way, there are 2 obstacles of 1m and about 1.6m in height.
The horses cannot run the whole 200m at full speed,
and they do slow down somewhere on the course.
I have to be receptive to the horses getting tired,
and let them relax a bit, or otherwise have them push through it.
Therefore during the race, I ride from the horse’s perspective.
2-4Winning the “Banei Derby” in the 2nd year
The goal for this season is 100 wins
Becoming the jockey of choice
My first win was on January 24th, 2011.
I was the happiest
with the win at the “Banei Derby” in 2012.
I remember how ecstatic I was,
since I did not even expect to participate in the race in my second year.
I was very comfortable riding the winning horse, Asahi Ryusei,
because I had been riding him since he was 2 years old.
I have the best personal record this season.
Until now, I have had 60-70 wins per year,
but I am in shock myself,
for already having 80 wins this year in January.
Therefore, my goal for this season is to have 100 wins.
My current goal is to become a jockey who is recognized by everyone.
I want the trainers and owners to recognize my improvement,
and be asked, “I want him to ride.”
I would like to become a jockey, who gets asked, “it has to be Shota,”
rather than, “Shota will do.”
