Yutaka Take

Yutaka Take is a Japanese flat jockey born in 1969, the son of legendary rider Kunihiko Take, who has become the most famous jockey in the history of Japanese racing. He holds the JRA record for career Group 1 victories and has won the Japan Cup five times and the Japan Derby five times, numbers that reflect a career of extraordinary longevity and sustained excellence.

Take became a jockey in 1987 and was an immediate sensation, winning at a rate that drew comparisons with his celebrated father. His early career dominance established him as a national figure in Japan, where horse racing occupies a prominent place in popular culture. His Melbourne Cup victory in 2006 aboard Delta Blues was a landmark moment for Japanese racing internationally, demonstrating that Japanese-trained horses and Japanese riders could compete at the highest level anywhere in the world. He has also ridden winners at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting and across major international festivals.

What defines Take is his status as a cultural icon beyond racing. In Japan, he is recognised by people who have never been to a racecourse. His career has spanned eras, from the dominance of Sunday Silence's progeny through the rise of Deep Impact's bloodline and into the current generation of Japanese champions. His riding style evolved over the decades; the aggressive, front-running brilliance of his youth gave way to a more considered, tactical approach as he aged. His judgement of pace on Japan's distinctive courses, with their long home straights and gradual turns, remains exceptional. He continued to ride competitively well into his 50s, a testament to physical discipline and an unwillingness to step away from the sport he has defined.

Take's 2026 schedule will centre on the Japanese championship programme, with the Japan Cup carrying particular significance given his extraordinary record in the race. He may also take selected rides at the Hong Kong International Races, where Japanese runners are perennial contenders. Fans can follow in Japan time.