Legendary jockey Yutaka Take bettered his own record when winning his sixth G1 Takarazuka Kinen and second aboard Meisho Tabaru (Gold Ship) at Hanshin on Sunday. The 57-year-old previously claimed the race with Inari One (1989), Meijiro McQueen (1993), Marvelous Sunday (1997), and Deep Impact (2006).The “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in October featured a full field of 18, and, shortly before the bell, a deluge turned the course from good to firm to yielding. Second in the betting at 29-10 behind 2025 Japanese Derby hero Croix Du Nord (Kitasan Black), the Yoshitaka Matsumoto-owned five-year-old kept a close eye on frontrunner Cosmo Kuranda (Al Ain) from the bell while well off the fence. A touch eager behind the runaway leader, Meisho Tabaru settled in a good rhythm for the backstretch run as the rain continued to come down.Edging closer past 1600 metres in 1:36.50, the eventual winner collared Cosmo Kuranda at the furlong grounds before fending off the late lunge of Croix Du Nord by a neck for the win. 2024 Japanese Derby victor Danon Decile (Epiphaneia) closed resolutely from well of the pace for third, another 2 1/2 lengths behind the top pair. G2 Nikkei Sho scorer My Universe (Rey De Oro) was pulled up in the straight. He later died from heart failure, according to the Japanese Racing Association.“When it started raining just before the race, I felt as though the late owner Yoshio Matsumoto had sent it down from heaven,” said Take. “Since races are unpredictable, I stayed flexible and settled in second position, and we were able to race in good rhythm. When Croix du Nord closed in before the wire, I thought, 'Please, not this time!' I felt that Meisho Tabaru was in really good form and the strongest today. I think we can head to France with our heads held high.”A winner at two and successful in the G3 Mainichi Hai and later the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai at three, Meisho Tabaru hit a career high when taking the 2025 edition of this race. Sixth in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) coming back off a break in November, he ran 13th to Museum Mile (Leontes)–ninth here on Sunday–in the G1 Arima Kinen in December. He finished second by a nose in the 2000-metre G1 Osaka Hai to rival Croix Du Nord on April 5 and is one of seven Japanese horses entered in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.Pedigree NotesDual classic winner Gold Ship was the first horse to win two editions of the Takarazuka Kinen in 2013/2014. His son is the third horse to accomplish that feat after Chrono Genesis (Bago) in 2020/2021. At stud, Gold Ship has 10 stakes winners (nine group scorers). Meisho Tabaru is his most decorated runner, and he is also the sire of G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) heroine Uberleben.Out of Meisho Tsubakuro (French Deputy) who won at three and four, Meisho Tabaru counts G2 Kyoto Daishoten hero Meisho Kampauk (Grass Wonder) in his family.Since foaling the winner, his dam has four-year-old gelding Meisho Hinkaku (Roger Barows), three-year-old filly Kimigahama (Dee Majesty), a two-year-old colt by Al Ain and a yearling full-sister to the winner. She was bred to Titleholder last spring, but did not get in foal. Sunday, Hanshin, JapanTAKARAZUKA KINEN-G1, ¥575,400,000, Hanshin, 6-14, 3yo/up, 2200mT, 2:12.10, st.1–MEISHO TABARU (JPN), 128, h, 5, by Gold Ship (Jpn) 1st Dam: Meisho Tsubakuro (Jpn), by French Deputy 2nd Dam: Dancing Happiness (Jpn), by Dance in the Dark (Jpn) 3rd Dam: Meisho Sachikaze (Jpn), by Crystal GlittersO-Yoshitaka Matsumoto; B-Mishima Bokujo (Jpn); T-MamoruIshibashi; J-Yutaka Take; ¥303,780,000. Lifetime Record:15-6-1-0, ¥903,374,330. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.2–Croix du Nord (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Kitasan Black (Jpn)–RisingCross (GB), by Cape Cross(Ire). O-Sunday Racing; B-NorthernFarm (Jpn); ¥121,080,000.3–Danon Decile (Jpn), 128, h, 5, Epiphaneia (Jpn)–Top Decile,by Congrats. (¥135,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL). O-Danox Inc.;B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥75,540,000.Margins: NK, 2HF, HD. Odds: 2.90, 1.50, 6.00.Also Ran: Cosmo Kuranda (Jpn), Tagano Dude (Jpn), Family Time (Jpn), Regaleira (Jpn), June Take (Jpn), Museum Mile (Jpn), Meiner Emperor (Jpn), Shin Emperor (Fr), Mikuni Imspire (Jpn), Stinger Glass (Jpn), Shake Your Heart (Jpn), Byzantine Dream (Jpn), Mystery Way (Jpn), Sugar Kun (Jpn). DNF: My Universe (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. 【 Takarazuka Kinen (G1), Hanshin, 2200m, 3yo&up, approx US$ 4.15m】Winner: Meisho Tabaru(JPN)J: Yutaka TakeT: Mamoru IshibashiSire: Gold ShipDam: Meisho Tsubakuro#宝塚記念 は、#メイショウタバル が優勝！！ pic.twitter.com/hpYLjznnMR— JRA World Racing (@JRA_WorldRacing) June 14, 2026The post Six Up For Take, As Gold Ship’s Meisho Tabaru Doubles The Fun In Takarazuka Kinen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.