Kazushi Kimura

Kimura won the 2018 Sovereign Award as Canada’s outstanding apprentice jockey. Woodbine’s third-leading rider in 2019, the Japan native won 117 races and amassed $3.7 million in purse earnings before he graduated from the apprentice ranks.

Kimura added to his honors at the conclusion of 2019 by winning the Eclipse Award as Outstanding Apprentice Jockey.

In July 2020, Kimura earned his first graded stakes win when he guided Lady Grace to victory in the Royal North Stake at Woodbine. Two month later he secured his first Grade 1 win with Gretzky the Great in the Summer Stakes. He also won the Grade 1 E. P. Taylor Stakes in 2022 with Rougir and guided Gold Phoenix to victory in the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes in 2023. 

Kimura established new career bests in terms of wins and purse earnings in 2022 with 175 victories and more than $7.7 million in purse earnings.