5 days Ago By [email protected] (Jon Lees)
One of Japan’s most successful jockeys has become the latest victim of strict rules on the use of smart phones. Yasunari Iwata, 50, has ridden nearly 2,000 winners, including in some of the world ’s biggest races. At home he has won the Japan Cup three times and on the international stage has victories in Hong Kong as well as capturing the 2006 Melbourne Cup on Delta Blues.
After riding a double on Saturday at Chukyo, Iwata was due to ride in the Group 1 Asahi Futurity Stakes in Kyoto on Sunday but when he arrived he was told he would be stood down. Officials explained that he had been found using his communication device, mobile phone, inappropriately. Before all Japan Racing Association fixtures, jockeys are put into isolation from 9pm the day before a meeting and denied any communication with the outside world until the races are over.
On arrival at Kyoto a staff member reported to officials that Iwata was seen watching music videos on Youtube while travelling from Chukyo, which is forbidden under rules designed to protect the integrity of racing. Akai Makoto, head of the fairness office at Miho Training Center, told Netkeiba explained, "YouTube has a comment posting function. In principle, we prohibit the use of apps that allow comments.
" He added: “For listening to music, we give each jockey a tablet, and he installs the app on it." "He seemed to be aware that he had done something wrong, and said, 'I understand.' He said he thought music was OK.
I don't think he did it with any ill intent." Iwata was issued with a 30-day ban, the latest of several high profile breaches of the smart phone rules. In October Japan’s best known female jockey Nanako Fujita , who is idolised at home, announced her immediate retirement ahead of sentencing after admitting a similar offence.
The 27-year-old had represented Japan at the Shergar Cup at Ascot during the summer..
