Yutaka Take Hits 5,000 Wins Milestone with Himino Etoile Victory at Hakodate

Yutaka Take became the first jockey in history to reach 5,000 career victories on July 12, 2026, steering Himino Etoile to victory in the seventh race at Hakodate Racecourse. The 57-year-old’s milestone-combining JRA, regional, and international wins-solidified his status as the sport’s all-time leader, 1,985 wins ahead of his nearest rival, Norihiro Yokoyama (3,015).

How did he reach 5,000?

The final tally included 4,669 JRA wins, 212 regional victories, and 119 overseas successes, confirmed after weeks of speculation. Take himself admitted in June that tracking international wins was difficult, joking that he’d rely on media to verify the number. His first JRA win came on March 7, 1987, and his overseas career-spanning the U.S., France, and Australia-delivered historic firsts: the first overseas graded stakes win for a Japanese jockey in 1991, the first overseas G1 in 1994, and the first overseas G1 for a Japanese-bred horse at the 2001 Hong Kong Vase aboard Stay Gold.

Why is this record so dominant?

Take’s JRA win total alone is untouchable, but his 86 G1 victories-including nine abroad-highlight his consistency. His riding style, described as ‘more finesse than force’, has made him instantly recognizable. He synchronizes with horses at 60 kph, using long limbs to absorb motion rather than impose control, a technique that calmed temperamental mounts like Deep Impact during his 2005 Triple Crown run. Even his crop work-quick switches to keep horses straight-has become legendary.

What’s next for the 57-year-old?

Take isn’t slowing down. In 2026 alone, he’s ranked 11th in wins, racing against jockeys half his age. His recent form includes a June 7 G1 Yasuda Kinen win aboard Sixpence, breaking the record for the oldest jockey to win a JRA G1. A week later, he added the Takarazuka Kinen with Meisho Tabaru, proving his front-running prowess-something he mastered late in his career, after his 70th G1 win in 2016. With no retirement in sight, the 5,000-win mark is just another checkpoint.