[ODDS and EVENS] A Horse Racing Journey of Love with Yutaka Take and Christophe Lemaire

Between them, Yutaka Take and Christophe Lemaire have won nearly 6,500 Japan Racing Association races in their illustrious careers. So if the subject is horse racing and they're in the same room, it's a double dose of equine wisdom for anyone listening.

Take, 55, and Lemaire, 45, have a wealth of knowledge about the sport. This is why their appearance together at the 40th Asian Racing Conference on August 28 in Sapporo was a special occasion.

On that day, the superstar jockeys were joined by a moderator, freelance anchor Naohide Fukuhara, for a panel discussion dubbed "Straight from the Saddle." (Watch the full video on the Asian Racing Federation's YouTube channel.)

Their lively discussion kicked off with some insights about the importance of gaining experience in overseas races.

This was always one of Take's chief ambitions. He developed a fondness for the sport as a child and followed in the footsteps of his father, legendary jockey Kunihiko Take, who passed away in 2017. Take made his JRA debut in 1987.

"I've always dreamt about being a jockey and racing in international races outside of Japan," said Take, who won his record 4,500th JRA race in May 2024.

When Take was a 12-year-old schoolboy, the Japan Cup debuted in November 1981. Recalling the enticing mix of Japanese and overseas horses and jockeys, the Kyoto native noted that the marque race "really left a big impression on me and I thought, 'someday I would definitely go overseas and ride overseas.' "

A Dream of Racing Abroad

Lemaire shared details about his introduction to Japanese horse racing. Initially, this came from media reports about compatriot Olivier Peslier, the first French jockey to compete in Japan and the winner of a number of major races here between 2000 and '04.

After becoming a pro jockey in 1999, Lemaire revealed that "it was my dream to come to Japan and ride Japanese horses."

Lemaire made his Japan debut in 2002. He became a full-time jockey on the JRA circuit in 2015.

Over the years, Lemaire has been synonymous with winning in Japan. He claimed the JRA Best Jockey award (for most wins) in 2017-2021 and in 2023.

Asked about becoming a prolific winner in Japan, Lemaire said, "I always wanted to get experiences abroad. From my young age, I used to travel. As soon as I became a jockey, I went to different countries to learn. So I went firstly to Dubai [in the United Arab Emirates] and then America and then I spent three months riding in India. At a young age, I can tell you it was a big, big experience.

"I think to put yourself into difficulties about language, about culture, about food, about the way of working and deal with different mentalities, it helps you to grow up," added the five-time Tenno Sho (Autumn) and four-time Japan Cup winner. "And then when you get more mature and you go to a country for a while, then you feel more confident, you feel more happy and then you can become successful."

Take Reflects on His Journey to Stardom

In a similar vein, Take looked back on his early years in horse racing and his sustained success as a jockey. This includes a jaw-dropping eight victories in the Tenno Sho (Spring), as well as six Tenno Sho (Autumn) wins, six in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and four in the Arima Kinen.

He acknowledged there were some difficult experiences in his younger days.

"Yes, when I first rode internationally, that was 1988 at Arlington Park, (near] Chicago in the United States, and whatever I see, whatever I touch, it's the first experience. It's fresh," Take recalled.

He added, "It felt like I myself jumped into a storybook or a magazine."

Folks at Arlington Park were as curious about Take's background as he was about gaining experience and new insights into overseas horse racing.

He recalled during the panel discussion the following: "People asked me, 'Oh, you have horse racing in Japan?' "

The globalization of the sport has brought numerous international jockeys and horses to Japan for top races over the past few decades. Take cited the World All-Star Jockeys extravaganza, held on August 24-25 at Sapporo Racecourse, as a prime example.

Competing against international riders in Japan has exerted an influence on Take's riding.

"I've learned a lot from other riders and I've always wanted to be a good jockey," noted Take, an 18-time JRA Best Jockey award recipient. "So visiting the US, visiting Europe and visiting other countries in Asia, different experiences I have gained have given me a lot."

Development as a Jockey

How has Lemaire's riding style changed over the years, particularly since he became a regular participant in JRA races in 2015?

Indeed, the accumulation of experience has played a part.

"Of course, through the years, I think you get better and better," Lemaire commented. "For me, a jockey gets to his peak at around 35 years old or 40 because of his experience. [And] of course, the visiting jockeys in Japan had a huge impact on horse racing in Japan, especially the jockeys."

Lemaire cited the influence of Peslier in the late 1990s, stating that he "brought his smooth ride and his American-style riding."

Why was this a big deal?

In Lemaire's words, "All the generation [of jockeys] wanted to ride like Olivier Peslier."

Lemaire also credited British jockey Ryan Moore as an important figure in Japanese horse racing over the past decade.

As a tribute to Moore's ability, his riding style is emulated by the younger generation of jockeys, according to Lemaire.

"To ride with top jockeys from all around the world, it has a big impact on the way of riding of the jockeys in the country and also the way of racing," Lemaire, a former top-ranked jockey in the global rankings, said. "I think in the past in Japan, we had very, very quick races with strong paces and now the jockeys, they control it a bit more, their horses, and they know how to get the best of their horse."

Appreciation for Horse Racing Fans

In another segment of this August's discussion in Sapporo, Take offered a detailed response to a question about how vital horse racing fans are for the sport to be successful.

Wagering on the sport in Japan is significant, he noted while expressing appreciation for the time and money invested by the public to attend races.

"The racing fans, they love horse racing, they cheer for horse racing," Take said. "And I feel that I always have to provide [quality racing] and offer what I can to do my best to reward such fans."

In his view, the appeal of the sport in his homeland is in the quality of the racing, which wouldn't be possible without major support from fans in Japan.

For example, at the 43rd Japan Cup, held on November 26, 2023, an announced crowd of 85,866 attended the Grade 1 race at Tokyo Racecourse.

"Because we have these fans, we can do good horse racing and because they wager, our prize money is higher," Take pointed out. "And then we would have good quality horses in Japan. We have this very good [positive] cycle going on in Japanese horse racing."

Importance of Communicating with the Fans

Every jockey will tell you that winning races is a top priority. Lemaire also believes that foreign-born jockeys have a duty to speak about their races, adding that doing so in the local language helps them build a bond with fans.

"It's important when you are in a country to be able to communicate with the fans," he said. "While I'm still learning about Japanese, I don't speak perfectly, but at least I can tell my feelings after the race. I can [speak] about my horse before the race. And I'm always glad to have a connection with the fans on the racecourse after a big win. It's very important."

The thrill of victory is something that connects Take and Lemaire to their legions of fans.

So it's hardly surprising that Take's remarks about his immediate and future ambitions underscored this point.

"I've been a jockey for 38 years and what I want to win is the next race," he declared before adding, "I want to win major races in other countries as well ― the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Breeders' Cup or Kentucky Derby ― so many races I want to win."

Promoting Elite Horses

Toward the end of their talk, Lemaire noted that now-retired Equinox, who was named the World's Best Racehorse in 2023, brought him joy as a jockey. Equinox also occupied an important place in the sport, he insisted, describing him as one of the "very good ambassadors for horse racing."

"I could really feel the impact of Equinox on the horse racing world," Lemaire said.

Correctly, he pointed out that the breeding of horses is the foundation of the thoroughbred industry. At the same time, the top horses need to be publicized. 

Or as Lemaire put it: "We have to promote them and make them famous, not only in our small world but worldwide."

RELATED:

• INTERVIEW | JRA President & CEO Masayoshi Yoshida on the Vibrant Future of Horse Racing
• [ODDS and EVENS] Equinox Meets Expectations with a Masterful Performance in the Japan Cup
• Yutaka Take Ties Arima Kinen Record with Fourth Victory in the Prestigious Race

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.