Hitomi Miyashita, 44, became the first female jockey in Japan to reach 1,000 wins earlier this month, overcoming a five-year period away from the track starting in 2011 as she gave birth to her two sons.
Miyashita made history at Nagoya Racecourse on Nov. 18 aboard Real Speed, taking first place by three lengths in the 11,439th race of her career.
“It feels like a dream. It hasn't sunk in yet," she said after the race with a big smile on her face. “When I came back, I didn't think I'd make it to 1,000 wins.