Sixpence gets up for record-setting Take in BC WAYI Yasuda Kinen

Carrot Farm’s Sixpence just caught pacesetter World’s End in the final strides of Sunday’s Yasuda Kinen (G1) at Tokyo, making Yutaka Take the oldest jockey to win a Japan Racing Association Grade 1. 

Take wasn’t initially booked to ride Sixpence in this “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). He was set to maintain his partnership with Admire Zoom, winner of the April 26 Yomiuri Milers Cup (G2) at Kyoto. But when Admire Zoom was ruled out of the Yasuda Kinen, Sixpence’s trainer, Hiroyasu Tanaka, was able to snare the available Take.

Sixpence was coming off a seventh to Admire Zoom in the same Kyoto prep, his debut for Tanaka. The son of Kizuna and Grade 1-winning sprinter Finley’sluckycharm had back class as a multiple Grade 2 scorer for his previous trainer, the recently retired Sakae Kunieda. 

Yet Sixpence had been off form for a while. Only 12th in last year’s Yasuda Kinen, he rated as a 20-1 chance with blinkers added on Sunday. 

Gaia Force deserved 1.90-1 favoritism after repeatedly knocking on the door for the past three years. The gray, who was fourth in the 2023 and 2024 editions, rallied for second here a year ago. He would end up closing a fraction too late as a bridesmaid once again. 

In contrast, Sixpence secured an advantageous position in second, while fellow Carrot Farm colorbearer World’s End got away with a comfortable lead. The 15-1 World’s End carved out splits of :23.4 and :46.1 and still had plenty left down the stretch. 

As Take angled Sixpence out to chase the leader, he was flanked by Seiun Hades. The presence of Seiun Hades to his outside might have helped Sixpence to lift more than he would have done otherwise. 

Sixpence thrust his neck in front of World’s End at the wire in 1:32.1. Gaia Force flew his final 600 meters (about three furlongs) in :33 to join them, forcing a dead-heat for second.

Seiun Hades checked in fourth in the blanket finish. Panja Tower was another neck away in fifth, followed by Off Trail; Lebensstil; Dragon Boost; Trovatore, the 3.9-1 second choice, who had too much to do after dropping back early from post 17; Stellenbosch; 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) participant Luxor Cafe, never involved in his turf debut; Champagne Color; Water Licht; Sirius Colt; Sakura Toujours; Long Run; and Suzu Khalom.

Sixpence’s first Grade 1 coup advanced his resume to 13-6-1-0. The winner of his first three starts, including the 2024 Fuji TV Sho Spring (G2), he lost his perfect record when ninth in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1). Sixpence rebounded that fall in the Mainichi Okan (G2) and added the 2025 Nakayama Kinen (G2) in record time. Subsequently going off form, he appeared to wake up on the switch to dirt, placing second in the Oct. 13 Mile Championship Nambu Hai, only to regress again. 

Tanaka welcomed Sixpence into the yard upon Kunieda’s retirement. The change in scenery has helped rejuvenate him.

Take, 57, appears to be ageless as he continues to ply his trade at the top level. He has supplanted the previous record-holder, Norihiro Yokoyama (56), as the oldest JRA Grade 1-winning jockey.

“I was called up at a short notice to ride the horse for the first time,” Take said, “but I’m relieved to have being able to get my job done. I did my homework, contacting his previous riders and of course the trainer, who told me that he was capable to maintain good speed to the wire. 

“So my plan was to have him up front, even lead if necessary, and although the front runners were pretty tenacious in the final stretch with horses also coming from behind, Sixpence was very responsive. He has shown his true strength with a lot to look forward to in his coming races.”

International travel could be in his future. While Sixpence has clinched a Breeders’ Cup spot at Keeneland, he is also engaged in the Aug. 16 Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) at Deauville.