Scandinavia’s multiple champion jockey Elione Chaves is expecting to take up a two-month licence to ride in Japan this spring, starting late April and based at the National Association of Racing’s (NAR) Oi racetrack in the Shinagawa area of Tokyo.
The Brazilian has been based in Sweden since May 2009 but started his career riding in Brasilia and Goiana, as well as Sao Paulo. He has also ridden in Singapore, the United States, Australia, Germany and Italy, and is currently in Dubai.
Chaves is set to connect with the stable of Terunobu Fujita who gained international attention when he took Mandarin Hero to California in April, 2023. The colt caused an unexpected stir when second, beaten a nose, in the G1 Santa Anita Derby.
“I went to Australia and I have a friend from Japan who is a jockey, Nozi (Tomizawa), so he helped me make contact and I sent my CV,” Chaves told Idol Horse at Meydan.
After reaching out to Fuijta and making his application, word came through that he would be licensed to ride out of Oi, an iconic NAR venue with its Tokyo City Keiba branding and “Twinkle Races” marketing.
“I received the message that I’ve got two months,” Chaves said. “My friend Ryan Curatolo, he goes there a lot, and he tells me every time I should try. I’ve never been there before but I’m excited to go there and try to get a couple of wins before I go back home. I’m really happy to get this chance.”
Chaves, 42, has won a host of feature races in Sweden, including the G3 Stockholms Stora Pris three times, most recently last June on Admiral De Vega. From March through June 2022 he rode in the United States, at Oaklawn Park, Gulfstream, Tampa Bay Downs and Monmouth Park for seven wins from 62 rides.
He also rode with Joao Moreira in Sao Paulo at a time when both riders were emerging, and he followed the champion’s exploits in Singapore and Hong Kong via YouTube replays. It was Moreira who encouraged his compatriot to ride in Singapore on a short licence back in 2016.
“I watch a bit of racing in Japan and Hong Kong, and I rode with Joao Moreira some years ago in Sao Paulo, I know him well, he’s a fantastic rider,” Chaves continued.
“I’ve travelled a lot, to America, to Singapore, three winters in Australia, Dubai a couple of times, so I like to travel and get experience at different places and different tracks.” ∎
