Yuichi Fukunaga

Yuichi Fukunaga (福永 祐一) is a Japanese horse trainer and former jockey who has won 29 Grade 1 races in Japan and abroad. He is affiliated with the Japan Racing Association (JRA) in Rittō. His father is former jockey who was said to be a "genius" during his active career, and his uncle is Takashi Kitamura, also a former jockey. His wife is former Fuji TV announcer. Since July 2016, he has a management contract with Horipro together with Yuga Kawada, the entertainment production in which his wife is also affiliated.

On December 8, 2022, following his trainer license issue being issued by the JRA, Fukunaga announced that he would retire as a jockey at the end of February next year and make a transition in to becoming a horse trainer. Two months later, Fukunaga rode his final races in Japan at the February Stake on 19 February, and finished his racing career at the Riyadh Dirt Sprint on February 25, 2023, where he rode Remake which finished 3rd behind Elite Power. Retirement ceremonies of Fukunaga were held at Tokyo Racecourse on 19 February and on the Hanshin Racecourse on March 4.

Fukunaga officially opened his stable on 6 March 2024. Upon opening his stable, he received a number of horses from outgoing trainers, including Danon Scorpion and from.

Grade 1 race victories
🇯🇵 Japan
 * Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes - (3) - Eishin Preston (1999), Eishin Champ (2002), Fusaichi Richard (2005) 
 * February Stakes - (2) - Meisho Bowler (2005) , Cafe Pharoah (2022) 
 * Hanshin Juvenile Fillies - (3) - Peace of World (2002), Rêve d'Essor (2010), Joie de Vivre (2011) 
 * Japan Breeding farms' Cup Classic - (1) - K T Brave (2018)
 * Japan Breeding farms' Cup Sprint - (1) - Sterling Rose (2002) 
 * Japan Cup - (1) - Contrail (2021)
 * Kawasaki Kinen - (1) - K T Brave (2018)
 * Kikuka Shō - (2) - Epiphaneia (2013) , Contrail (2020)
 * NHK Mile Cup - (1) - Rhein Kraft (2005) 
 * Oka Sho - (2) - Primo Ordine (1999), Rhein Kraft (2005) 
 * Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup - (1) - Fusaichi Pandora (2006) 
 * Satsuki Sho - (2) - Contrail (2020), Geoglyph (2022) ''
 * Shuka Sho - (1) - Vivlos (2016) 
 * Sprinters Stakes - (1) - Pixie Knight (2021)
 * Takamatsunomiya Kinen - (3) - Sunningdale (2004), Big Arthur (2016), Mr Melody (2019)
 * Teio Sho - (1) - K T Brave (2017)
 * Tenno Sho Autumn - (1) - Just A Way (2013) 
 * Tenno Sho Spring - (1) - World Premiere (2021)
 * Tokyo Yūshun - (3) - Wagnerian (2018), Contrail (2020), Shahryar (2021)
 * Yasuda Kinen - (2) - Strong Return (2012), Indy Champ (2019)
 * Yushun Himba - (3) - Daiwa el Cielo (2004), Cesario (2005), Robe Decollete (2007) 

🇭🇰 Hong Kong
 * Hong Kong Mile - (1) - Eishin Preston (2001) 
 * Queen Elizabeth II Cup - (2) - Eishin Preston (2002 & 2003) 

🇺🇸 United States
 * American Oaks Invitational Stakes - (1) - Cesario (2005) 

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
 * Dubai Duty Free Stakes - (1) - Just A Way (2014) 

Riding results
Riding results are from netkeiba

Magazines

 * Weekly Playboy "Keiba no Shinzui" (as 2nd author) → "Yuichi Fukunaga no Leading Itchokusen" (both series ended)

Photo albums

 * Yuichi Fukunaga (Shot by Eiko Wada. Kodansha, 1997) ISBN 9784062084307