In his 38th year as a jockey, Yutaka Take is poised to clinch his first-ever leading jockey title at Sapporo and in the Hokkaido region as he heads into the final week of the Sapporo meet. With a commanding lead of over five wins in both the Sapporo and overall Hokkaido standings, Take is looking to extend his lead further and build momentum for his upcoming challenges on the global stage this fall.

Traditionally, Take has focused on Kokura during the summer, which has limited his opportunities to compete for the top jockey titles in northern Japan. However, this year he has secured 16 wins at Sapporo, giving him a six-win lead in that meet, and a total of 28 wins combining his results from Hakodate, where he leads by five wins. Now, with only the final week remaining, Take is on the verge of claiming his first Sapporo and Hokkaido leading jockey titles.

Reflecting on his success, the 38-year veteran remarked, "I don't particularly feel like I'm in great form. This is the first time I've ridden so extensively at Hakodate and Sapporo. If it turns out that way, I'll be happy. Summer in Hokkaido is typically a stage for younger jockeys to shine, so I feel a bit apologetic. But I've had a smooth run this season, and I definitely want to finish on a high note. I'll do my best for one more week."

Take is scheduled to ride in 11 races over the weekend. Among them, he's eyeing a third consecutive win with Taurus Shine in Saturday's Race 12, commenting, "The horse is performing well and has the ability." In Sunday's Race 1, he is also looking forward to riding Nanyo Emperor, who should benefit from a shorter distance, saying, "The shorter distance suits him better."

At the Asian Racing Conference, which is being held in Japan for the first time in 16 years, Take shared his dreams in front of representatives from 40 countries. "I want to win major races in different countries, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the Breeders' Cup, the Kentucky Derby, and the Epsom Derby." This fall, those opportunities are within reach. Awesome Result, who remained undefeated with a seventh consecutive win in the Jpn 3 Breeders Gold Cup at Monbetsu Racecourse on the 27th, is set to compete in the G1 Breeders' Cup Distaff. "He was strong, and it's great that he's still undefeated. We can go with confidence," Take noted. He also expressed excitement about the possibility of riding Irish horse Al Riffa, co-owned by Matsushima, in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. "I'm really excited. This will be my 11th attempt at the Arc. It's about time I won it," he said with a smile.

At 55 years old, Take continues to lead the pack. What keeps him going? "The secret is horse racing itself. Every week, there's something exciting to look forward to. I'm grateful for that. Winning gives you energy for the next race. Victory is everything." The legendary jockey, always hungry for more wins, is determined to secure the northern Japan leading jockey title and carry that momentum into the international competitions waiting for him this autumn.