Legendary Jockey Yutaka Take Achieves Unprecedented 40-Year Graded Stakes Winning Streak

Legendary jockey Yutaka Take has once again etched a new page into his illustrious history. On March 22, 2026, at Hanshin Racecourse, Take guided the favorite, Admires Terra, to victory in the Hanshin Daishoten (GII), achieving the unprecedented feat of winning JRA graded stakes for 40 consecutive years since his debut.

This historic moment became a major topic of discussion among many horse racing fans, with a flurry of astonished and admiring comments on social media, such as "otherworldly record," "too monstrous," "no longer surprised," and "truly masterful horsemanship." Since his debut in 1987, there has not been a single year where Yutaka Take failed to secure a graded stakes win, once again proving the immense weight and astonishing achievements of his career.

In the race, Yutaka Take and Admires Terra displayed a brilliant combination, winning with an overwhelming performance. Trainer Tomomichi also lauded Take's exceptional skill after the race, stating, "Mr. Take was perfect" and "It was a textbook race, a textbook long-distance race." Fans also expressed their appreciation for the human-horse synergy, with comments like "I felt Admires Terra's power-up" and "I think Take also got a good feel for the horse."

This victory marked Take's ninth triumph in the Hanshin Daishoten, setting a new record for the most wins in a single JRA graded stakes race. In long-distance races, where it is said "the jockey's skill makes all the difference," Take demonstrated his true value without reservation.

With this momentum, fans' expectations are already growing for Take's next goal: whether he can capture his ninth Tenno Sho (Spring) title. When asked about his next goal in an interview, Take's professional response, "The final race (the 2-win class race immediately after)," impressed many. The legend of Yutaka Take, often called the "God" of the horse racing world, will undoubtedly continue.

The context

For non-Japanese readers, here is some background information to better understand the article:

• Yutaka Take (武豊): Often referred to as Japan's greatest jockey, he is a living legend in the horse racing world, celebrated for his exceptional skill, longevity, and numerous record-breaking achievements.
• JRA (Japan Racing Association): The primary organization that operates horse racing in Japan. Its races are highly popular and competitive.
• Graded Stakes (重賞): These are top-tier races in Japanese horse racing, equivalent to Group or Grade races in other countries (e.g., G1, G2, G3). Winning them is a significant achievement.
• Hanshin Daishoten (阪神大賞典): A Grade II long-distance race (3000m or about 1 mile 7 furlongs) held at Hanshin Racecourse in spring, often serving as a prep race for the prestigious Tenno Sho (Spring).
• Tenno Sho (Spring) (天皇賞・春): One of Japan's most prestigious Grade I races, held over 3200m (about 2 miles), it is considered the ultimate test of stamina and jockey skill. Winning it is a career-defining moment.
• Admires Terra (アドマイヤテラ): The horse Yutaka Take rode to victory in the Hanshin Daishoten GII.
• Trainer Tomomichi (友道調教師): Refers to the trainer of Admires Terra, Mitsumasa Tomomichi, who is also a prominent figure in Japanese horse racing.
• "Jockey's skill makes all the difference" in long-distance races: Unlike shorter races where horse speed is paramount, longer races require exceptional strategy, pace judgment, and horsemanship from the jockey to conserve the horse's energy and make the winning move at the right time. Yutaka Take is renowned for his mastery in these races.