'She gave it her all until the very end' - star rider Yuga Kawada pays emotional tribute to Liberty Island

Jockey Yuga Kawada has paid an emotional tribute to Liberty Island, the Japanese Triple Tiara-winning filly who sustained a fatal injury in the QEII Cup in Hong Kong on Sunday. 

Images of a tearful Kawada holding Liberty Island's head even as vets ran to her aid at Sha Tin have made a big impact on social media, and the superstar jockey was clearly still deeply touched by the tragic circumstances surrounding her death 24 hours on, posting an emotional tribute on Instagram.

Kawada said: "I’m sorry she had the worst ending. I am so sorry I took Liberty away from you all. 

"She gave it her all until the very end. She endured without falling and protected me until the last. Even after she stopped, she acted calmly and remained strong. She was too strong and smart. Thank you very much to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for responding quickly and for hugging her."

Kawada's international successes include riding Japan's first Breeders' Cup winner Loves Only You, as well as steering Ushba Tesoro to victory in the Dubai World Cup. 

But at the time he described Liberty Island's completion of the fillies' Triple Tiara in 2023 as "the greatest gifts the horseracing gods have given me".

Yuga Kawada: "I am so sorry I took Liberty away from you all"Credit: Masakazu Takahashi/Racing Post

Continuing his tribute to Liberty Island, Kawada said: "Even though I was her race-rider, she was a nice girl who was always pleased to see me in the stables. She was good to my family. 

"So many memories come too mind, but all because she was there. Nothing but gratitude. And I’m just sorry it happened. Thank you so much to everyone who supported her."

Trained by Mitsumasa Nakauchida for Sunday Racing, Liberty Island won the Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in addition to the three legs of the Triple Tiara, and was second to Equinox in the 2023 Japan Cup as well as chasing home Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Cup last December.

A floral tribute to Liberty Island will be on display at the Northern Horse Park, the public-facing part of the giant Shadai and Northern Farm complexes on the northern island of Hokkaido.

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