Horse Racing: Takarazuka Kinen

Gold Ship made history in Japan when becoming the first horse to win two renewals of the Takarazuka Kinen in the 55-year history of the race. The field of the Group One contest is decided by a fan ballot and the reigning champion received the most votes in a strong line-up and his supporters were not to be disappointed either as the five-year-old…

John Moore thinks a wet track will help the chances of Hong Kong raider in Sunday's Takarazuka Kinen, but star jockey Christophe Lemaire is hoping for the opposite to get the best out of favourite Satono Diamond. The Group One is one of two "all-star" races in Japan each year, alongside December's Arima Kinen, with fans voting for their favourite…

Titleholder broke Earnestly's race record of 2:10.1, which was set in 2011. Fifth favorite Hishi Iguazu, guided by Damian Lane, placed second, two lengths behind Titleholder. Five-year-old mare Daring Tact (Kohei Matsuyama's ride), who became the first unbeaten filly Triple Crown champion in October 2020, took third, another two lengths…

Japanese superstar Kitasan Black is poised for redemption when he starts an odds-on favourite in Sunday's Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin. The four-year-old finished third in last year's renewal but has gone to another level this season and is now chasing a third straight Grade One victory having taken out the Osaka Hai and Tenno Sho (Spring) at his…

Kids have all sorts of dream jobs - they want to be a fireman, an astronaut, an actor, something cool and exciting. Not me. No, I wanted to be the Japanese cherry picker guy. Don't know the Japanese cherry picker guy? Watch the start before any race in the land of the rising sun - especially before a feature, like One And Only's Tokyo Yushun…

Curren Bouquetd'or, Kiseki and Miss Mamma Mia placed fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively. Chrono Genesis, the runner-up at the Dubai Sheema Classic on March 27, was in contention throughout this race, as were pace-setters Unicorn Lion and Lei Papale. Wipe Tears faded in the latter stages of the race, slipping from third to 10th. Chrono Genesis,…