Take breaks another record with Group 1 at age 57

Legendary jockey Yutaka Take became Japan’s oldest Group 1 winner at the age of 57 after guiding Sixpence to victory in Sunday’s Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo Racecourse, securing a berth in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Ridden for the first time by Take after a late call-up, Sixpence, a son of Kizuna produced a determined finish in a tightly contested race. Turning for home, Sixpence was part of a breakaway trio alongside long-time leader World’s End and Seiun Hades, the trio drawing clear with 400 metres remaining.

Take positioned his mount prominently throughout and asked for maximum effort in the closing stages. Sixpence responded gamely, edging ahead inside the final 50 metres to prevail by a neck over World’s End. Gaia Force (surged late to dead-heat for second, with Seiun Hades a further neck away in fourth. Panja Tower, fifth in last year’s Golden Eagle, completed a blanket finish, just another neck behind.

“I was called up at short notice to ride the horse for the first time, but I’m relieved to have been able to get my job done,” Take said. “My plan was to have him up front, even lead if necessary, and he was very responsive in the finish.”

The win marked Take’s fourth Yasuda Kinen success, following victories aboard Oguri Cap (1990), Heart Lake (1995) and Vodka (2009), further cementing his legacy in Japanese racing.

Sixpence, trained by Hiroyasu Tanaka, had previously struggled at the elite level but showed signs of resurgence earlier this season. “He has shown his true strength,” Take said. “There’s a lot to look forward to in his coming races.”