Jockey Yutaka Take of the Japan Racing Association appeared at the 92nd Japan Derby PR presentation held in Tokyo on May 26th. Take has won the Derby a record six times, with horses such as Special Week, Admire Vega, Tanino Gimlet, Deep Impact, Kizuna, and Dodeuce, but he excited the audience by saying, "It's still not enough."
"I have a special attachment to each one," said Take, adding, "I've wanted to win the Derby since I was a child, so when we won with Special Week it felt like a long time coming. I remember the moment it finally came true."
He continued, "I had heard that Admire Vega (the jockey) had never won consecutive races, and the horse was in poor health, so I was happy to be able to turn this horse into a Derby winner."
"Deep Impact's odds were 1.0? 1.1? I wondered why anyone would buy a ticket (laughs). I felt like I was flying in the sky, like I had wings, so I was happy that it happened at the Derby as well," he said.
Finally, he said enthusiastically, "The Derby is what gives me the motivation to do my best. It's the most encouraging race, and I'm excited to have been given the opportunity to ride again this year. I'll do my best to get my seventh win!!"
Ai Mikami, who attended the presentation, said, "It's amazing to watch on video, but it's even more amazing when you're in person," while Takeuchi Ryoma expressed surprise, saying, "Six times of this highest honor..."
The Japan Derby is a race to determine the top three-year-old horses. Approximately 8,000 racehorses are born in Japan every year, and they can only compete in this race once in their lifetime. The race will start at 3:40 pm on June 1st at Tokyo Racecourse (Fuchu City).
