Recently, former jockey Joe Fujii and Daiki sat down for an interview with “Weekly Gallop magazine” at the Sankei News headquarters in Tokyo. This marked the first time the two, who share a special bond as alumni of the Australian Racing School, had the chance to engage in such a conversation.

On the day of the interview, Daiki was given a tour of the editorial department, where he witnessed the team swiftly preparing articles and photos for the magazine’s release the day after the Sunday races concluded. Impressed by the efficiency of the process, Daiki commented, “I could really feel the professionalism in their work.” His words reflect the energy and dedication he observed in the editorial team.

The interview was conducted by journalist Masaya Matsunaga, whose warm yet sharp questions drew out insightful stories from the two guests. Daiki recalls, “Mr. Matsunaga was a great listener and showed genuine interest in our stories. His questions were perfectly tuned to the interests of the readers, and I now understand why ‘Weekly Gallop magazine’ has remained popular among horse racing fans for so many years.”

This special interview was made possible thanks to the support of the owners who consistently back Daiki’s stable, as well as the cooperation of his mentor, Yoshiaki Oiwa, a bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics, and JRA trainer Hideo Fujiwara. Their support played a crucial role in bringing this valuable conversation to life.

The interview, once published in “Weekly Gallop magazine,” also sparked significant reactions from the pair’s former classmates at the racing school. The strong bond of friendship that has lasted for years, as well as their shared passion for horse racing, clearly resonated with readers and touched a wide audience.