4000 winners – ‘Take’ that

Yutaka Take on Saturday became the first rider to reach 4,000 winners on the Japan Racing Association circuit, further enhancing his position as Japan’s greatest-ever jockey.

Take, 49, brought up the record with a treble at Hanshin, where huge crowds packed in to watch him achieve the feat on Meisho Kazuhime in a 1200m allowance race on turf.

The benchmark was set by Take on his 21,235th ride, and the jockey said: “I am relieved I could achieve this record. I was able to do so because I have met many good people, and ridden many good horses, for many years. The owner of this horse (Yoshio Matsumoto) has supported us since my father’s time, so I am very happy.

“This is not the end. I would like to ride more and to grow more as a jockey. As for my next target? I want to win the next race!”

Take, who last year received the Longines & IFHA International