is a trainer of Thoroughbred race horses. He has been a licensed trainer in Japan since 2004 and since 2014 has won the training title three times.
After studying English at Athénée Français for six months, he went to Australia to learn horse training. He says he chose Australia because it was similar to Japan in that horse racing is dominated by speed on turf courses, the stable system, and the quarantine system are very strict and the environment internationally isolated.
He has trained Contrail, the 2020 Japanese Triple Crown winner. In the 2021 Breeders' Cup at Del Mar in California, Yahagi trained two winners—Filly & Mare Turf winner Loves Only You and Distaff winner Marche Lorraine. He became the first Japanese trainer to win any Breeders' Cup race.
Major wins Japan
Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes - (1) - Grand Prix Boss (2010) NHK Mile Cup - (1) - Grand Prix Boss (2011) Tokyo Yūshun (Japanese Derby) - (2) - Deep Brillante (2012), Contrail (2020) Japan Breeding farms' Cup Sprint - (1) - Taisei Legend (2012) Yasuda Kinen - (1) - Mozu Ascot (2018) Queen Elizabeth II Cup - (1) - Lys Gracieux (2018) Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) - (1) - Loves Only You (2019) Takarazuka Kinen - (1) - Lys Gracieux (2019) Arima Kinen - (1) - Lys Gracieux (2019) Hopeful Stakes - (1) - Contrail (2019) February Stakes - (1) - Mozu Ascot (2020) Satsuki Shō (Japanese 2000 Guineas) - (1) - Contrail (2020) Japan Dirt Derby - (1) - Danon Pharaoh (2020) Kikuka Shō (Japanese St. Leger) - (1) - Contrail (2020) Japan Cup - (1) - Contrail (2021) Tokyo Daishōten - (1) - Forever Young (2024)
UAE
Dubai Turf - (2) - Real Steel (2016), Panthalassa (2022)
Australia
Cox Plate - (1) - Lys Gracieux (2019)
Hong Kong
Queen Elizabeth II Cup - (1) - Loves Only You (2021) Hong Kong Cup - (1) - Loves Only You (2021)
United States
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf - (1) - Loves Only You (2021) Breeders' Cup Distaff - (1) - Marche Lorraine (2021) Breeders' Cup Classic - (1) - Forever Young (2025) Jockey Club Gold Cup - (1) - Forever Young (2026)
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Cup - (3) - Panthalassa (2023), Forever Young (2025, 2026)
References
Bibliography
See also
Ryusei Sakai - Jockey of the Yahagi stable