Shun Ishizaki

We profiled Shun Ishizaki's dad a while back (in November 2012), but with Shun riding Beat The Boarder for us, now is as good a time as any to take a look at the career of the younger element in this father-and-son team based at the Funabashi Keiba track.

Born in Chiba in September 1983, Shun entered the JRA Jockey School in April 1999, but quickly moved over to NAR, where his father had made his name. After graduating, he joined Kenji Sato's stable at Funabashi, and won his first race in July 2001 - just a week after his first ride. Perhaps not surprisingly, he was named NAR 'Rookie of the Year' in 2002, and clocked up his 100th win in the following year.

Tough under pressure, Shun had his first of 40 JRA rides in 2003, and has won over 1000 times in the NAR arena, notching up a win rate of 9.5%. Within those wins - 1008 and counting - notable victories have come in the Tokyo Bay Cup, the Santa Anita Trophy, the Kaihin Hai, and many others. Looking back, the decision to go with NAR was the right one...