Japanese runners entered the world's most prestigious race with high hopes, but once again their dreams were dashed by the thick walls of Europe. Shin Emperor finished 12th and Yutaka Take and Irish-bred Al Riffa finished in 11th. The winner was the second favorite, British mare Bluestocking, followed by the seventh favorite Avanture in second and the sixth favorite Los Angeles in third.

It was an eleventh attempt at the race for Yutaka Take. It has been 30 years since his first attempt, White Muzzle in 1994. In July of this year, the Do Deuce's team announced that he would not be running in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Nevertheless, he took on a special challenge with Al Riffa, co-owned by Masaaki Matsushima, owner of Keefer's, who continues to support Take passionately.

Al Riffa was one of the leading fancies in the race, having won the Berlin Grand Prix by five lengths, and Take traveled to Ireland a week before the race to ride and to check the horse's condition. However, he lamented, "I wish I had a better start...", he was placed further back than ideal and was unable to make his presence felt until the end, finishing 11th.

The jockey showed his disappointment by saying, "In horse racing, the result is everything. I didn't get a good result, but I enjoyed riding him and I was happy to be able to ride him in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. For the sake of those who have supported me, I want to achieve results so that one day they will be happy. I will continue to do my best". Even at the age of 55, this legend of Japanese horse racing has not lost his passion for horse racing. He will not stop until the day he achieves his goal.