Two-Time Derby Champion Futoshi Kojima Reflects on His Racing Career While Battling Stage 4 Cancer

A legendary gambler battling stage 4 terminal cancer

“Clumsy!” “You idiot!”

Such merciless shouts were hurled at jockeys who failed to deliver on favored horses in major races. Yet, when a brilliant bit of riding led to victory, the same crowd would erupt in cheers, hailing them as “President!”

Amid this whirlwind of abuse and adoration during Japan’s horse racing boom in the Showa era, there was one man who raced through it like the wind — former jockey and trainer Futoshi Kojima. Even at 78, his very presence still exudes the aura of a true competitor.

Born in a small town in Hokkaido, Kojima entered the world of horse racing after finishing junior high school. Following his training in the JRA jockey academy, he joined the stable of Ryozo Takagi. In March 1966, he made his jockey debut — the beginning of the legend of a bold, maverick jockey of the Showa era.

In 1978, he won the Derby with Sakura Shōri, and again in 1988 with Sakura Chiyono O — two Derby victories in all. He achieved 10 career GⅠ wins as a jockey and, after becoming a trainer in 1997, went on to claim five more GⅠ-level victories. In May this year, he published his memoir “Shōsan to Batō to” (“Praise and Abuse”) through Kodansha.

“My life as a jockey back then wasn’t exactly something I could brag about,” Kojima laughs. “After morning training, we’d grab a drink at the stable, then head into Tokyo — Ginza, usually — and stay out till morning. There were plenty of times I rode in training without any sleep. It wasn’t just me; everyone did it. Nobody would believe that nowadays, but it was insanely fun. Everything about it was fun.”

Drinking, nightlife, and racing — he threw himself completely into everything, and that fearless lifestyle became seared into the memories of horse racing fans. Out of his 1,024 total wins, 85 were in graded stakes — an astonishing number for an era with far fewer major races. His fierce competitiveness earned him the nickname “Big Race Futoshi.” Yet, he was also known for occasionally letting fans down when heavily favored.

“People said I’d ‘blow it,’ but I always knew when I was going to lose,” he admits. “Sometimes the horse just wasn’t in top shape, or the betting hype got too far ahead of reality. When that happened, the best thing was to just say, ‘It’s my fault.’ Better that than blaming the horse, right? Like, ‘Shut up already, you punk,’ kind of attitude.”

That boldness thrilled fans — and earned him plenty of harsh jeers. But Kojima stayed focused on the racecourse, carrying with him the words of his mentor:

“When you win, you’re the ‘President.’ When you lose, you’re an ‘Idiot.’ That’s what being a jockey is all about.”

The long-dreamed-of Derby victory and the fateful encounter with owner Zen En’uë

When talking about Kojima’s career as a jockey, one cannot overlook his encounter with owner Zen En’uë, known for the horses bearing the “Sakura” prefix.

“It all started when my father asked Mr. Zen, ‘Please look after my boy.’ At that time, he was still a small-time owner with maybe one horse, but I guess he saw something in me. He said, ‘I’ll become number one in Japan, and you’ll become number one too.’ That’s how our shared destiny began.”

That promise came true in 1978, when Kojima achieved his long-cherished first victory in the Japanese Derby with Sakura Shōri.

“I told everyone we’d definitely win, but honestly, I wasn’t that confident. Still, I had to win no matter what. In the final stretch, when the horse behind started closing in, the finish line seemed to move farther and farther away. That’s really how it felt. The Derby—there’s just nothing like it.”

Owner Zen was ecstatic. He watched the race video so many times the tape nearly wore out, murmuring, “Futoshi, I want to win that again.”
Ten years later, in 1988, they did it again—this time with Sakura Chiyono O.

“That time, it felt as if something unseen was pushing the horse forward. I just kept driving and driving until we caught up and overtook Mejiro Ardan right before the finish. I can’t recall another Derby finish like that. It still amazes me.”

Behind the glory, Kojima’s body was suffering. A fall in 1982 left him with nerve damage and persistent numbness on his left side. He continued racing despite the pain, but in February 1996, at age 48, he decided to retire.

Afterward, he became a trainer, achieving major success with horses like Eagle Café and Manhattan Café, both GⅠ winners. Today, at 78, he lives quietly, rarely drinking despite his once-notorious love of nightlife.

It was two and a half years ago that illness struck.

“They told me it was stage 4 terminal lung cancer. Three hospitals said the same thing, so I resigned myself to it. But then, the treatment worked, and I started feeling hopeful again—only for them to find something new recently. Well, I’m 78 now, so I can’t ask for too much.”

He’s nearly blind in his left eye and struggles to walk even with an artificial hip, yet his voice during the interview remains strong.

When asked for his thoughts on the future of horse racing, he reflected quietly:

“The horses today are world-class, and the jockeys’ skills have improved too. I think things are moving in the right direction. But back in the old days man, everything about racing was fun.”

Futoshi Kojima — the gambler, the fighter, the man of the Showa era.
His life embodied the passion, recklessness, and spirit of that unforgettable time.

From the September 12 and 19, 2025 combined issue of “FRIDAY”