Hidetaka Otonashi, 70, will retire from training, due to the age-limit system of the Japan Racing Association.
Otonashi, who was born in Miyazaki, Japan, rode five graded stakes winners as a jockey, including Noa No Hakobune in the 1985 Japanese Oaks (G1).
After riding as a jockey for 15 years, Otonashi began working as a trainer in 1995. He trained his first grade 1 winner in 2006 when Orewa Matteruze won the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1) at Chukyo Racecourse.
In 2009, Company won the Tenno Sho Autumn (G1) and Mile Championship (G1), earning over ¥1.5 billion. Otonashi was crowned leading trainer based on prize money earnings. He won 52 races in 2010 and was crowned leading trainer by number of wins.
His most recent achievement came when Derma Sotogake trained by Otonashi, finished second to White Abarrio in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park in 2023.
A 14-time grade 1 winner, Otonashi will send out his final runners March 2 including Karate in the Nakayama Kinen (G2) at Nakayama Racecourse and Sound Sunrise in the Tulip Sho (G1) at Hanshin Racecourse
Otonashi has won 996 races within the JRA, and the chance to achieve 1,000 wins looks slim. When asked, Otonashi answered: "Kojiro Hashiguchi, retired trainer whom I respect, won 991 races at JRA, and I am very happy I have surpassed him".
