The Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced on December 15, 2023, the suspension of jockey Yasunari Kiyomiya for improperly using his smartphone during the transition from Nakayama to Kyoto racing the previous day. This suspension, which will last for 30 days, caught the attention of the racing community, particularly for the circumstances surrounding the infraction.
According to Akai Makoto, the head of the Integrity Department at Miho Training Center, Kiyomiya was found using YouTube to watch music videos, which is against JRA regulations. "YouTube viewing was confirmed during the checks," Akai stated, emphasizing the importance of adhering to guidelines established to maintain fairness and integrity within the sport.
Kiyomiya’s suspension means he will miss riding seven horses scheduled for December 15, prompting changes as other jockeys stepped up to take over his mounts. Particularly, Kiyomiya was supposed to ride the horse "Daishinra" during the prestigious G1 race, but jockey Norihiro Yokoyama will replace him as part of the roster change.
Akai elaborated on the regulations surrounding smartphone use, noting, "Music listening is allowed through provided tablets, but personal smartphone use for external communication is not permitted." The incident offers insight not just on Kiyomiya's actions, but on how the JRA is tightening its oversight on jockeys’ adherence to technology use rules following prior infractions.
The repercussions of this unfortunate event were felt wider than just Kiyomiya, leading to curious public discussions, especially as other jockeys chose to wear pants featuring Kiyomiya's name during the Kyoto races. Social media lit up with posts expressing both amusement and solidarity. Jockeys like Christophe Lemaire and Rusei Sakai were seen sporting these distinctive outfits, and many fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to comment on the unexpected show of support. Comments ranged from humor about jockeys mimicking Kiyomiya's celebratory gestures to speculation about the underlying messages sent to JRA.
The instances of smart device misuse among jockeys have been on the rise, prompting the JRA to take stricter measures earlier this year. Inspections have ramped up, including searches of personal belongings when entering training rooms and monitoring smartphone usage during transit between races.
During the recent incident, Kiyomiya had entered the adjustment room at the racetrack, prompting staff to check his smartphone. Evidence gathered from Kiyomiya’s phone peaked suspicion, leading to the discovery of his YouTube activity. According to Akai, this was part of routine checks, and he clarified, "We suspect no malintent from Kiyomiya; all we can do is enforce the rules as stipulated."
This incident has left Kiyomiya’s fans concerned, especially those who have been following his career closely. They have expressed solidarity on various platforms, hoping for his quick return to the racetrack. Meanwhile, discussions continue to surface, not only examining the impact of technology on sportsmanship but also on the culture of racing and jockey responsibilities.
The racing community now faces questions about how best to balance technological advances within rigorous regulations, especially as younger generations enter the sport where smartphones and tablets are ubiquitous. Kiyomiya’s case serves as both a cautionary tale and a rallying point for improvements to the existing framework controlling technology use among jockeys.
While Kiyomiya waits out his suspension and reflects on this infraction, the attention shifts to how his fellow jockeys perform on the track without him during these weeks. The incident highlights the need for adherence to rules intended to safeguard the integrity of racing, teaching lessons of accountability and the importance of compliance in professional sports.
