Jockey Kota Fujioka dies aged 35 leaving behind wife and baby boy as friend pays tribute saying ‘I’ve never been so sad’
RACING has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of top Flat jockey Kota Fujioka at the age of 35.
The Japanese rider, who suffered a horror fall during a race last Saturday, leaves behind a wife and baby boy born last June.
He was said to have suffered devastating head and chest injuries when unseating from his mount at Hanshin racecourse.
Iconic Japanese rider Yutaka Take was among the many paying tribute, saying: “I have never been so painful and sad.
“I still can’t believe it. In the future I will carry Kota’s thoughts in my heart.”
While top British jockey and former Arc de Triomphe winner Luke Morris wrote: “Very sad news.”
And US-based rider Umberto Rispoli said: “I don’t know wtf is going on right now. But this is sad news. Rest in peace Kota! Gone too soon.”
Fujioka’s biggest moment in the saddle came when he stepped in for an injured Ryan Moore to win a Group 1 last November.
Moore, regarded by many as the best rider in the world, was forced off the ride after injuring his back in a fall.
Fujioka jumped in at the last minute to guide Namur to her first top-level win in the Mile Championship at Kyoto.
His passing comes a week after Stefano Cherchi sadly lost his life in Australia.
The Sardinian-born rider, who had over 100 winners in Britain, died aged 23 following a fall in Australia.
Fujioka won 803 races in his 18-year racing career and was one of the highest-profile jockeys on the mega-money Japan scene.