Milestone: Jockey Akifumi Kato wins race for 50th consecutive year

Jockey Akifumi Kato reached a unique milestone when he won the fifth race at Turf Paradise on Jan. 8, which was also his 69th birthday. The winning ride aboard She’s A Lady Griz  gave the veteran journeyman at least one victory in 50 consecutive years. The win was made even more special as the winner is trained by Kato’s daughter, Kaylyn Kato.

Kato was born in Japan to a jockey turned trainer. After winning his first race in the United States at Ferndale Fair in northern California, Kato rode primarily at Playfair in Spokane, Washington where he was the all-time leader with 1,104 victories including two riding titles and four victories in the Playfair Mile.

Kato is also the only active jockey to post victories at Washington’s other racetracks, Longacres, Yakima Meadows and Emerald Downs in addition to Playfair.  He also rode at Portland Meadows.

A member of the Jockeys’ Guild for 49 years, Kato’s career stats to date include 19,983 mounts with 2,034 wins and $6,360,226 in purse earnings. 

Kato out-polled fellow riders Kendrick Carmouche who won a stakes races at Aqueduct, Manny Franco with a stakes victory at Aqueduct, Umberto Rispoli who won the Grade 3 La Canada at Santa Anita and Drayden Van Dyke who won the Grade 3 Kalookan Queen at Santa Anita.