Kato Named Jockey Of The Week After Uniquely Historic Win At Turf Paradise - Horse Racing News paulickreport.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from paulickreport.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Jockey Akifumi Kato Celebrates 50 Years Of Winners On His 69th Birthday Sponsored by:
Jockey Akifumi Kato
Veteran reinsman Akifumi Kato celebrated a unique milestone on Thursday at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Ariz., the afternoon of his 69th birthday. Kato won the day s fifth race aboard She s A Lady Griz, trained by his daughter, Kaylyn Kato, marking the 50th consecutive year the jockey has recorded a victory in the saddle.
Kato, son of a Japanese jockey turned trainer, was born in Osaka, Japan in 1952. His first winner came at the Ferndale Fair in California, but he rode primarily at Playfair in Spokane, Wash., where he was the all-time leader with 1,104 victories, including two riding titles and four victories in the Playfair Mile.