In this edition of “Keiba Rhapsody ~ Fun Horse Racing ~,” reporter Akihiro Myojin introduces the 45-year-old rookie assistant trainer, Akihide Takeuchi, who joined the horse racing world at 44 and now works at the Ritto-based Anda Stable. A seasoned equestrian with top finishes in major competitions, Takeuchi navigated a winding path before entering the training center and now dedicates himself to daily grind.
Assistant trainer Akihide Takeuchi brushes his charge, Slash. (Photo by Tomohiko Shiraishi)
Takeuchi’s first encounter with horse racing came during his junior high school years. “My cousin was a huge racing fan. Back then, racing games were popular, and that’s when I became captivated by horses.”
The turning point came in his third year of junior high when he joined a riding club. “Once I started riding, I loved it so much that I dove headfirst into equestrianism.”
He went on to attend the prestigious Kyoto Sangyo University, known for its equestrian program, and spent four years honing his skills. Upon graduation, while a path into horse racing was available, he recalls, “I thought my large build wasn’t suited for racing. More than that, I loved equestrian sports and wanted to master it, aiming for the Olympics, so I took a job at a riding club.”
At the riding club, he balanced work and competition, achieving top finishes at the All Japan Show Jumping Championships and the National Sports Festival.
Later, due to life changes like marriage, he stepped back from active competition and shifted to supporting the club’s management, eventually becoming a branch office manager.
On the surface, everything seemed smooth. But a subtle shift in mindset occurred. “I don’t know if it was for better or worse, but I lost some of my passion. Looking back, maybe I was craving some stimulation.”
Around that time, plans to establish a new riding club in Shiga Prefecture emerged, leading him to resign from his club. He moved from the Kanto region, where his office was, to the vicinity of the Ritto Training Center.
Assistant trainer Akihide Takeuchi with his charge, Slash. (Photo by Tomohiko Shiraishi)
This marked his second turning point. Although the riding club venture didn’t work out, he thought, “I’ve only ever done horses, so I’ll stick with horses.” After contacting acquaintances, the horse racing world—which he had once avoided due to his size—resurfaced as an option.
In 2018, after age restrictions were lifted, he took and passed the JRA Horse Racing School’s stablehand course on his first attempt. At the school, he noted, “My classmates were all younger, and even the instructors were mostly younger than me. I felt I had to be careful not to make them uncomfortable (laughs).”
He began working at the Anda Stable in May of last year, and a year has passed. His assigned horse has placed second but hasn’t won yet. The goal is that first victory, but Takeuchi feels no rush. “In October, a horse I was in charge of was euthanized after being pulled up during a race. I knew I’d experience something like that eventually, but it came too soon. I want that first win, but first and foremost, I want them to stay safe.” Trainer Anda praised Takeuchi’s efforts, saying, “He’s working hard.”
As the saying goes, after hardship comes good fortune. We look forward to the day we see Takeuchi in the winner’s circle.