As we head into Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe week, what once seemed like a dream was reignited after Do Deuce's withdrawal, thanks to the unwavering determination of Kiefers Co. Ltd. owner Masaaki Matsushima (66). The dream has taken on a new form and a new name with "Irish G1 winner Al Riffa and Yutaka Take." Matsushima, who has often expressed his desire to see Yutaka Take win the Arc, shares his passionate thoughts on the upcoming race.

Interviewer - What does the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe mean to you?

Masaaki Matsushima - "People have it wrong. They think, 'Matsushima wants to win the Arc with Yutaka Take,' but that's not it. It's about Take wanting to win the Arc. I've heard him say so many times how he was haunted by the defeat with Deep Impact, which everyone thought was a sure win. He said it still appears in his dreams. I just want to see Yutaka Take win the Arc. He'll probably cry. A man who has shaped the history of racing, achieving his ultimate dream, I want to see the look on his face when that happens. That's why I'm taking on this challenge."

Interviewer - You announced in July that Do Deuce would not race in the Arc.

Masaaki Matsushima - "Yes, I felt I had to find a horse to replace him for Take, to somehow make it happen."

Interviewer - You then took part ownership of Irish G1 winner Al Riffa for the challenge.

Masaaki Matsushima - "In last year's G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano, Al Riffa finished second to Ace Impact, who went on to win the French Derby and this year's Arc. Back then, I already owned a 20% share in him through a syndicate. People think I suddenly bought him, but that's not the case."

Interviewer - Now you own 50%?

Masaaki Matsushima - "At the Select Sale, insiders said, 'Al Riffa is strong, you should own half.' So I called trainer Joseph O'Brien, and he said, 'We'll run him once, then head to the Arc.' I told him I'd take 50%, but only if Yutaka Take could ride. I worked out a deal to trade some other horses and pooled the funds. The deal was finalized a week before the Grosser Preis von Berlin. I now co-own about eight horses with Coolmore, and owning 50% ensures they race in my silks. There's also a clause in the contract stating that Yutaka Take has priority as the jockey. Take was thrilled. It's all thanks to years of experience and my strong relationship with Coolmore."

Interviewer - You have a close relationship with Coolmore, the world's biggest ownership group?

Masaaki Matsushima - "Of course, Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore have to approve the jockey. But Aidan respects Yutaka Take. I've told him that my dream is to see Yutaka win the Arc. They know that if the horse is mine, Take will be the jockey."

Interviewer - How do you rate Al Riffa's chances?

Masaaki Matsushima - "I knew he was strong when he had that serious battle with Ace Impact. If he'd gone to the Arc after that race, I think he would've given him a run for his money. Al Riffa weighs about 450 kg, and heavier horses don't do well in the Arc. I think he's strong and has a real chance. Compared to Japan or Bloom, horses I've co-owned before, I feel much more confident."

Interviewer - You are closely associated with Yutaka Take. How did you first meet him?

Masaaki Matsushima - "I was a fan and just wanted to have dinner with him once. That was around 2001. By chance, I knew someone who made it happen. I've never felt that way about any celebrity before."

Interviewer - What was your first impression of him?

Masaaki Matsushima - "He was even nicer than I expected. He was so polite and that really surprised me. Truly great people don't act like they're above others. He's smart, too. The conversation flowed easily, and I thought, 'It would be fun to be friends with him.' I was nervous, but I became an even bigger fan, and we've been friends ever since."

Interviewer - What made you decide to become an owner?

Masaaki Matsushima - "I told Take how much I was losing on betting, and he said, 'If you're losing that much, why don't you become an owner? You can buy a horse.' I thought it was just a hobby, a luxury, and it wasn't on my radar, but I decided to give it a try. If he hadn't said that, I wouldn't have become an owner."

Interviewer - It seems you share a strong friendship?

Masaaki Matsushima - "When Take retires, I'll stop being an owner. It wouldn't be fun anymore, that's my belief. Yutaka Take is the one who shaped modern racing, and I have to respect that. Behind it all are friendship and a commitment to seeing things through. If you truly believe in something, you have to stick to it, and eventually, it will pay off."

Interviewer - We're cheering for you in the Arc.

Masaaki Matsushima - "If a Japanese jockey is going to win the Arc, it has to be Take. Even if he doesn't win, I want it to be a close one. If he does win, you can splash it across the front page of the newspaper (laughs)."

Interviewer - You've been an owner with Kiefers since 2015.

Masaaki Matsushima - "It's been more fun than I expected. Even winning a maiden race is thrilling. Of course, if the horse gets a bad start, it's disappointing, which is why I sometimes can't watch."

Interviewer - Then you came across Do Deuce?

Masaaki Matsushima - "Before his debut, Take rode him in training and said, 'Matsushima-san, this one can really run,' which surprised him. His win in the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes was unforgettable. I couldn't watch, but when they came around the final turn, Take told me, 'We've got this,' and he was right."

Interviewer - In your 7th year as an owner, you became a Derby-winning owner.

Masaaki Matsushima - "After the Satsuki Sho, both Take and trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said, 'We can definitely win the Derby, leave it to us.' Take even said, 'We'll pull away in the last 300 meters.' And he did. I felt like I'd finally contributed to Take's success. It's easy for people to gather around when things are going well, but that's not always the case. It felt great to have supported him through the tough times, and I'm glad I stuck with it. I was relieved and happy at the same time. Take will always remember that I was there for him. I think he felt the same relief, knowing I was investing in him."

Interviewer - Do Deuce also took on the challenge of the Arc.

Masaaki Matsushima - "I've been to the Arc three times now, with Japan (2020), Bloom (2021), and Do Deuce. From the moment you walk through the gates, the atmosphere is on a different level. Seeing Do Deuce as he left the paddock was incredibly moving. This is it."

Interviewer - Entering the Arc is difficult enough, but this will be your fourth attempt.

Masaaki Matsushima - "I've been buying yearlings overseas, but the chances of winning are higher if you buy after they've shown potential. You need to find strong horses over there and make them 'Take's personal ride.' Al Riffa is special, it's all about timing and luck. Even if you own a horse, the chances of running in the Arc are low. If those people hadn't been at the Select Sale, I wouldn't have had this chance. It might happen again, but for now, I feel like this is the last chance."