High School Students Leave Home to Pursue Dreams in Japan's Horse Racing Industry
This article profiles students at Hokkaido Shizunai Agricultural High School, the only institution in Japan where students raise Thoroughbred horses. It highlights the stories of teenagers like Riku Kawahara and Hakuto Suzuki, who moved away from their families in Fukuoka and Chiba to pursue careers in the horse racing industry. Kawahara, inspired by a chance encounter with a ramen chain president and a visit to a racecourse, aims to become a training assistant for the Japan Racing Association (JRA). Similarly, Suzuki aspires to be a horse trainer, having shifted his dream from becoming a jockey. The piece explores their dedication, the emotional challenges of living apart from parents, and their shared ambition to succeed in the competitive world of horse racing. As part of a serialized report, it sheds light on the unique educational path these students have chosen, combining agricultural training with specialized equestrian care to prepare for professional roles within JRA stables.
Wire timeline
High School Students Leave Home to Pursue Dreams in Japan's Horse Racing Industry
This article profiles students at Hokkaido Shizunai Agricultural High School, the only institution in Japan where students raise Thoroughbred horses. It highlights the stories of teenagers like Riku Kawahara and Hakuto Suzuki, who moved away from their families in Fukuoka and Chiba to pursue careers in the horse racing industry. Kawahara, inspired by a chance encounter with a ramen chain president and a visit to a racecourse, aims to become a training assistant for the Japan Racing Association (JRA). Similarly, Suzuki aspires to be a horse trainer, having shifted his dream from becoming a jockey. The piece explores their dedication, the emotional challenges of living apart from parents, and their shared ambition to succeed in the competitive world of horse racing. As part of a serialized report, it sheds light on the unique educational path these students have chosen, combining agricultural training with specialized equestrian care to prepare for professional roles within JRA stables.
asahi