is a Japanese horse trainer and former jockey who has won 29 Grade 1 races in Japan and abroad. He is affiliated with the Japan Racing Association (JRA) in Rittō. His father is former jockey who was said to be a "genius" during his active career, and his uncle is Takashi Kitamura, also a former jockey. His wife is former Fuji TV announcer . Since July 2016, he has a management contract with Horipro together with Yuga Kawada, the entertainment production with which his wife is also affiliated.
On December 8, 2022, following his trainer license being issued by the JRA, Fukunaga announced that he would retire as a jockey at the end of February next year and make a transition in to becoming a horse trainer. Two months later, Fukunaga rode his final races in Japan at the February Stakes on 19 February, and finished his racing career at the Riyadh Dirt Sprint on February 25, 2023, where he rode Remake which finished 3rd behind Elite Power. Retirement ceremonies of Fukunaga were held at Tokyo Racecourse on 19 February and on the Hanshin Racecourse on March 4.
Fukunaga officially opened his stable on 6 March 2024. Upon opening his stable, he received a number of horses from outgoing trainers, including Danon Scorpion and from .
Achievements Grade 1 race victories
Japan Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes - (3) - Eishin Preston (1999), Eishin Champ (2002), Fusaichi Richard (2005) February Stakes - (2) - Meisho Bowler (2005), Cafe Pharoah (2022) Hanshin Juvenile Fillies - (3) - Peace of World (2002), Reve d'Essor (2010), Joie de Vivre (2011) Hopeful Stakes - (1) - Contrail (2019) Japan Breeding farms' Cup Classic - (1) - K T Brave (2018) Japan Breeding farms' Cup Sprint - (1) - Sterling Rose (2002) Japan Cup - (1) - Contrail (2021) Kashiwa Kinen - (1) - Wide Pharaoh (2020) Kawasaki Kinen - (1) - K T Brave (2018) Kikuka Shō - (2) - Epiphaneia (2013), Contrail (2020) Mile Championship Nambu Hai - (2) - Best Warrior (2015), Cafe Pharoah (2022) NHK Mile Cup - (1) - Rhein Kraft (2005) Oka Sho - (2) - Primo Ordine (1999), Rhein Kraft (2005) Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup - (1) - Fusaichi Pandora (2006) Satsuki Sho - (2) - Contrail (2020), Geoglyph (2022) Shuka Sho - (1) - Vivlos (2016) Sprinters Stakes - (1) - Pixie Knight (2021) Takamatsunomiya Kinen - (3) - Sunningdale (2004), Big Arthur (2016), Mr Melody (2019) Teio Sho - (1) - K T Brave (2017) Tenno Sho Autumn - (1) - Just A Way (2013) Tenno Sho Spring - (1) - World Premiere (2021) Tokyo Yūshun - (3) - Wagnerian (2018), Contrail (2020), Shahryar (2021) Yasuda Kinen - (2) - Strong Return (2012), Indy Champ (2019) Yushun Himba - (3) - Daiwa El Cielo (2004), Cesario (2005), Robe Decollete (2007)
Hong Kong Hong Kong Mile - (1) - Eishin Preston (2001) Queen Elizabeth II Cup - (2) - Eishin Preston (2002 & 2003)
United States American Oaks Invitational Stakes - (1) - Cesario (2005)
United Arab Emirates Dubai Duty Free Stakes - (1) - Just A Way (2014)
Riding results Riding results are from netkeiba Date Race name Horse name Head count Popularity Finished First ride–First victory 2 March 1996 4-Sai Mishōri Marbutz Brevest 16 1 1stFirst group race ride2 March 1996Chunichi Shimbun HaiOguri One16615thFirst group race victory22 July 1997Empress HaiSilk Phoenix731st First JRA group race victory 15 Nov 1997 Tokyo SportsHai 3-Sai Stakes King Halo 12 1 1stFirst G1 ride20 October 1996Shuka ShoShe's Grace18126th First G1 victory 11 Apr 1999 Oka Sho Primo Ordine 18 4 1st
Statistics by year Year 1st arrival 2nd arrival 3rd arrival of riders WP Confidence ratio Multiple WP Recognition 1996 53 49 45 518 .102 .197 .284 JRA Award for Best Jockey (newcomer) 1997 62 59 56 692 .090 .175 .256 1998 52 52 55 635 .082 .164 .250 Kokura Turf Award 1999 43 39 31 398 .108 .206 .284 2000 84 71 61 660 .127 .235 .327 Kokura Turf Award 2001 81 68 69 749 .108 .199 .291 2002 89 62 78 722 .123 .123 .317 JRA Excellent Jockeys Prize 2003 83 78 67 696 .119 .231 .328 2004 96 81 96 771 .125 .230 .354 2005 109 70 81 811 .134 .221 .321 JRA Excellent Jockeys Prize 2006 88 69 87 820 .107 .191 .298 JRA Excellent Jockeys Prize 2007 82 80 67 744 .110 .218 .308 2008 86 70 86 804 .107 .194 .301 2009 93 82 89 825 .113 .212 .320 2010 109 108 82 809 .135 .268 .370 2011 133 98 84 824 .161 .280 .382 2012 115 101 72 741 .155 .291 .389 2013 131 103 103 844 .155 .277 .399 2014 118 111 92 751 .157 .305 .427 2015 121 112 75 738 .164 .316 .417 Kansai TV Broadcasting Award201610610170703.151.294.39420171168581740.157.272.38120181038384689.149.270.392201910711084713.150.304.42220201349185698.192.322.44420211239292687.179.313.44720221017283610.166.284.418Kansai Keiba Journalist Club Sho2023181419195.171.305.400 Total 2636 2211 2064 19497 .135 .249 .354
Training results Training results are from netkeiba Date Race name Horse name Head count Popularity Finished First race 9 March 2024 Coral Stakes Leonore 16 2 2ndFirst race win7 April 20241-win allowanceMaruka Blitz1641stFirst group race13 April 2024Arlington CupChannel Tunnel1643rdFirst JRA group race win18 August 2024CBC ShoDrop of Light1861First G1 race5 May 2024NHK Mile CupChannel Tunnel18126 First G1 victory
Magazines Weekly Playboy "Keiba no Shinzui" (as 2nd author) → "Yuichi Fukunaga no Leading Itchokusen" (both series ended)
Photo albums Yuichi Fukunaga (Shot by Eiko Wada. Kodansha, 1997)
See also List of jockeys
References
External links