As the Official Partner and Official Watch of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, Longines presented the 2017 Longines and IFHA International Award of Merit to renowned Japanese jockey Yutaka Take. He succeeds previous recipients Jim Bolger, leading Irish trainer, owner and breeder; France’s Alec Head, past champion trainer and patriarch of prominent stud farm Haras du Quesnay; Seth Hancock of historic Claiborne Farm in America; the late Marcel Zarour Atanacio, former chairman of the South American Organization for the Promotion of Thoroughbreds (OSAF); and the Romanet Family, long renowned leaders in both the French and international world of horseracing.
The Award of Merit was created by Longines and the IFHA in order to honor public figures for their outstanding contribution to the world of horse racing.
A legend in Japan, Yutaka Take made his riding debut in 1987 and currently holds seven all-time records in his native country. Born in 1969, Take notched his first career victory at Hanshin Racecourse in 1987. He ended the season as the champion apprentice with 69 winners. Two years later, he was the overall champion jockey, and Take held that title continuously until 1999, with the exception of 1991.
As of 18 December, the Japan Racing Association credits him with 3,941 wins, of which 322 came in graded stakes, while 74 have come in Grade 1. Take has won at least one Grade 1 for 23 straight years and a graded stakes race for 31 consecutive years. He also has the most victories in a year: 212.
Take has also shown his abilities abroad. He has 114 wins to his credit in eight different countries, including Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Korea, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Yutaka Take receives the 2017 Award of Merit
The award ceremony was held in Tokyo on 21 December.
Featured brand
