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| Staff Writer |
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When Yutaka Take captured the inaugural Saudi Derby in 2020 aboard Full Flat, it added another glittering jewel to a crown already studded with four decades of achievement. Now, as the legendary Japanese rider returns to Riyadh with promising dirt specialist Chikkappa, his hunger for success burns as fiercely as ever. In a career that has seen him evolve from national hero to global racing icon, Take's pursuit of excellence shows no signs of dimming at age 55, even as he stands on the cusp of 5,000 career victories worldwide.
This year, Take returns to Riyadh with 4YO colt Chikkappa ( K. Nakatake Stable) for the Gr.2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, while also looking forward to partnering with 5YO Al Riffa ( J. O'Brien Stable) in the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic.
"Chikkappa is still young in his career, but he is a good horse, and he is stable in short-distance races on dirt. He can run races from a good position, so he is not affected by new developments. He has a positive temperament, but he is also easy to ride," Take explains, before adding a note of caution. " But I'm worried because he usually trains on slopes and doesn't seem to be able to ride much on track courses."
Speaking about Al Riffa, Take provides a detailed assessment, stating, "He's at the top level in Europe in terms of track record, so he should be able to compete well. At the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, it was raining, and the track was too soft, and his start was slow, making it difficult to run a smooth race. If he's in good shape, I'm sure he'll bounce back on the grass course at Meydan."
Take's relationship with Saudi Arabian racing reached its first milestone in 2020 with that historic Saudi Derby victory aboard Full Flat. "It was my first time riding in Saudi Arabia. I first rode in the invitational race for jockeys, and the next day I rode a horse and suddenly won the Saudi Derby," Take recalls with evident pride. "It was a rough race, but the track conditions were good, and I was in a good position. I was able to get results, and create a very good impression."
His Middle East journey began long before this triumph. "Before the first Dubai World Cup was held, there was an invitational race for jockeys, and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum invited me," Take recalls, his eyes lighting up at the memory. That early invitation would mark the beginning of a decades-long connection with Middle East racing, as Take witnessed and contributed to the region's emergence as a global racing force.
"I have been riding in Dubai since its inception, and I have seen it succeed,” Take says proudly. “It has now become one of the most important horse racing meetings in the world. Saudi horse racing is also developing more and more. I would like to participate as much as possible."
Take sees enormous potential in the region's development. "I would like to see it develop further by capitalising on the advantages of the Middle East, such as the high prize money and the climate. As far as competing is concerned, American horses, European horses, and Japanese horses are all on the same page. It's fair and good material for horses."
The difficulty of horse racing, Take explains, is that even for a veteran like him, there are countless variables to consider on race day. His approach to racing in the Middle East demonstrates this meticulous nature.
"I need to gather as much information as possible about the horses I will be competing against,” he explains. “After the start, intuition and feelings based on past experience often become the deciding factors. Before I head to the starting gate, I need to know the condition of the track that day. It is important to understand the characteristics."
The regional differences require particular attention. Take notes, "In the Middle East especially, whether it's Saudi Arabia or Dubai, the turf is beautiful and there's no need to worry about it, but the dirt is different than in Japan in terms of sand. We also have to look into things like that."
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Born in Kyoto in March 1969, Take's destiny was shaped by the surroundings of Ritto Training Centre, where his father, legendary jockey Kunihiko Take, nicknamed "the wizard of turf," rode and trained. In a career spanning nearly 40 years since his debut in 1987, he has accumulated nearly 5,000 victories worldwide, including over 100 Group One successes, and has been crowned Japan's champion jockey eighteen times.
Take's remarkable career began in 1987 when he rode 69 winners as a rookie. He became champion jockey in his third season at age 19, the youngest in Japan's history. His career statistics are remarkable: over 100 Group One successes, champion jockey eighteen times, and a tally of 4,435 JRA wins from 24,160 rides.
When asked how he maintains his position as a first-class rider at 55, his answer reveals an unchanging passion. "I love being a jockey, and I love winning. The feeling of joy when I win is hard to replace with anything else. From the time I debuted until now, I feel like I've always been looking for that moment."
His early inspiration came not only from his father but also from international riding legends. "My father is like an example for me, like a bible," Take reflects. "I wanted to become my father, and when I actually tried becoming a jockey, I was able to understand how great my father was. I am very thankful to him."
His breakthrough in international racing came with Ski Paradise in the 1994 Prix du Moulin for trainer Andre Fabre, followed by a historic victory aboard Seeking The Pearl in the 1998 Prix Maurice de Gheest, becoming the first Japanese-trained Group One winner abroad. His Middle East successes have been particularly significant, including a memorable victory aboard Lani in the UAE Derby that opened the door to America's most prestigious race.
"The UAE Derby victory with Lani is very memorable when I think that it led to the Kentucky Derby afterwards," Take recalls. However, Take considers his triumph with Admire Moon in the Dubai Duty Free as his most impactful Middle East success, particularly as HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum purchased the horse afterwards.
“Back then, Japanese horses didn't have today's track record,” Take reflects. “It was a time when we didn't have the same international success as we do now, and even though I was sceptical that it would work, we won easily."
At 55, Take has to maintain rigorous standards. "Of course, I need more intensive care than when I was young. I believe that being able to get along well with my body is important for staying active for a long time."
Take's vision for Japanese racing's international presence is both clear and deeply personal. "First of all, I would like Japanese jockeys to go out into the world more," he states with conviction. "Since I was young, I have travelled overseas as much as time allowed. Even if there was no guarantee that I would be able to ride, I would go around the stables and bow my head. I started out by having people ride with me for training purposes, and I eventually received requests from others asking me to ride for them.
He acknowledges that success didn't come easily. "Even if I tried hard to ride them, they were never capable and often didn't lead to good results in races. However, there is no doubt that such steady efforts led to improved skills and had a considerable impact on my subsequent results."
As he prepares for his latest Middle East campaign, Take's ambitions remain undimmed. Beyond his long-held dream of winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, he admits, "There are many races around the world that I want to win." The Middle East features prominently in these aspirations. "I haven't won the Dubai World Cup yet, so I'd like to win all the big races in the Middle East."
The man who transcended his sport to become a cultural icon in Japan continues to push boundaries and chase dreams. As the Saudi Cup meeting approaches, the racing world watches with anticipation to see if some of these wishes will come true. For Take, each race represents not just another opportunity for victory, but a chance to further cement the legacy of Japanese racing on the global stage.
Take’s extensive influence on racing extends far beyond his impressive statistics, serving as a bridge between Eastern and Western racing cultures and inspiring a new generation of jockeys to think globally. In an era where international racing continues to evolve, Take's vision and experience remain as relevant as ever, making him not just a champion of the past, but a crucial voice for racing's future.