Jockey Rusei Sakai of the Japan Racing Association (JRA) appeared at the launch event for the "Longines Archive Exhibition - The Path of Watchmaking that Spins Time" held in Tokyo on March 2nd.
Jockey Sakai appeared wearing a Longines watch. In reference to the theme of the archive exhibition, "elegance," he was asked about the "beautiful habits" he holds dear. He said, "I'm far from being elegant, so I would like to become more elegant. It's a job, so it's a given, but I make sure to go to bed early and get up early. I've been waking up at 3 a.m. every morning in the summer and 5 a.m. in the winter for over 10 years, and I want to continue doing so."
Regarding the "adult behavior" he is able to exhibit now, which he did not have in the past, he said, "I still have a long way to go, but compared to when I was a young horse in my 11th year since my debut, when I win I don't feel like 'I won, I did it,' but rather I feel like I've become able to express my gratitude to the horses and the people around me who worked hard, so I feel like I've grown up a little."
When asked about an important moment or turning point for him, he smiled and said, "It was when I won my first G1 race in 2022 since becoming a jockey. I think winning there was the turning point. I became a jockey because I wanted to be a G1 jockey, so that moment is something I will never forget, and it felt great when I was able to see the view at the finish line that only I can see."
When asked about a particularly memorable view or unforgettable moment, he revealed, "Of course I'm happy when I win any race, but last fall's Breeders' Cup Classic was a race I had tried many times in America but had never been able to win, so what made me happiest was that Forever Young and the team involved were able to win. I'll never forget the view at the moment we won, of course, but also the view when I got back and saw everyone crying with joy, and it made me feel glad that I became a jockey."
Actors Kyoya Honda and Mizuki Yamashita also appeared at the launch event. The "Minjin Archive Exhibition - The Trajectory of Watchmaking that Spins Time" will be held at Cité du Temps Ginza (Chuo-ku, Tokyo) from March 1st to May 10th. Admission is free.
