Imamura creates history with Japanese Oaks breakthrough

Seina Imamura became the first Japanese female rider licensed by the Japan Racing Association to win a Grade 1 race after capturing Yushun Himba aboard Juryoku Pierrot at Tokyo Racecourse.

The 22-year-old guided the fifth favourite from the rear of the field to score in the 2400m Classic that is also known as the Japanese Oaks, producing a powerful late surge to overhaul her rivals in the closing stages.

Imamura, who was also the first female jockey to compete in the race for three-year-old fillies, said she still felt “like I’m in a dream” after receiving a huge reception from the Tokyo crowd.

“She had the legs to go between the horses in the final straight and I was thinking I’d be left frustrated if I were to finish second or third,” Imamura said after securing the biggest victory of her five-year career.

Dream Core finished a neck away in second ahead of Laughterlines, while race favourite Star Anise could finish only 12th as Imamura credited family and supporters for helping her through difficult periods since her debut season.

Imamura also became just the second female jockey ever to win a Grade 1 Flat race in Japan after Australian-based jockey Rachel King guided Costa Nova to victory in the 2025 February Stakes.