Yasunari Iwata

Who is Yasunari Iwata?

Yasunari Iwata is a Japanese jockey who rode the winner of the 2006 Melbourne Cup, Delta Blues. It was Iwata's first race outside of Japan.

He debuted in the Hyōgo Keiba, one of the racing organizations in National Association of Racing. He started riding on selected events in Japan Racing Association since 2002. In 2005, Iwata won the 19th World Super Jockey Series. Despite he had not passed the written test in the past, he was allowed to transfer to JRA in the following year due to "Ankatsu's Rule".

He was awarded JRA most winning-jockey in 2011 and 2012, in races won and money earned.