Yutaka Take captured his second international jockey competition title in the World All-Star Jockeys series Sunday in Japan following his win in the World Super Jockeys Series in 1992.
The World All-Star Jockeys competition, which comprised four races run Saturday and Sunday at Sapporo Racecourse in Hokkaido, was conducted by the Japan Racing Association. The JRA initially established it in 1987 under the name the World Super Jockeys Series.
Renamed the World All-Star Jockeys as a summer event at Sapporo Racecourse, jockeys' under the “Team WAS (World All-Star)” banner compete against “Team JRA” to attain the most points as a team. This year's competition was held for the first time in three years after being canceled twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scoring a win in the 1st leg with sixth pick Meisho Tsutsuji, Take finished third in the 2nd leg with fourth favorite Asake Lady to come on top at the end of Day One, Saturday.
Though his horse was excluded from racing in the 3rd leg Sunday, Take's runner-up effort with second choice Kafuji Azul in the 4th leg brought him back to the top with 71 points.
“I'm glad that we were able to hold the series this year and that foreign jockeys were able to join us under difficult circumstances,” Take said. “It was very rewarding to be able to compete with everyone and I was able to spend a very fulfilling two days. I'm really happy that I was able to ride on good horses and claim the title this year as I have been coming in second many times since claiming the title years ago.”
Take along with two of seven other Japan Racing Association jockeys swept the top three spots by points earned in the international competition.
Twelve points behind in second with 59 points was Yuga Kawada who had a win, a third, a fourth, and a ninth. Kohei Matsuyama was third with 58 points.
“We (Japan Racing Association) jockeys always try hard to be able to take part in this event every year, and I hope I'll be able to compete again next year,” Take said.
United States-based James Graham, among seven competitors riding for Team WAS was 12th in the points standings.
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