Meisho Tabaru Repeated in the Takarazuka Kinen and Now Targets the Impossible Dream of the Arc
- Turf Diario
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
The son of Gold Ship defeated Croix du Nord once again and secured berths for the Breeders' Cup Turf and the Cox Plate, although France appears as the grand objective
HANSHIN, Japan (Special to Turf Diario).– The recent history of Japanese racing is filled with frustrated attempts in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), a race that seems to pursue the Land of the Rising Sun like an obsession. And now, following a formidable performance in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1), everything indicates that Meisho Tabaru will be the next to try.
The son of Gold Ship successfully defended his title in the traditional event contested this Sunday at Hanshin, prevailing by just a neck over the favorite Croix du Nord (Kitasan Black), and securing along the way automatic invitations for both the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) and the Cox Plate (G1). However, subsequent post-race comments made it clear that the grand objective would be in Paris.
"I think we can go to France now with our heads held high," commented the legendary Yutaka Take, who at 57 years old added his 87th victory in G1 events and his sixth in the Takarazuka Kinen.
The reference was not coincidental. Meisho Tabaru already holds an entry for the Arc on October 4th at Longchamp, a race that no Japanese horse has been able to win despite decades of attempts and multiple memorable second-place finishes.
Conditions seemed to play in his favor. A heavy rain falling minutes before the competition transformed the track from firm to soft, a circumstance that clearly benefited the defending champion.
"When it started to rain, I felt as if the late Yoshio Matsumoto was sending us help from heaven," Take expressed, remembering the horse's historic owner.
Breaking from gate 16, the jockey quickly positioned Meisho Tabaru in pursuit of the pacesetter Cosmo Kuranda (Al Ain), taking control about 200 meters from the wire. From there, he had to withstand the powerful late charge of Croix du Nord, his old rival, to capture the victory in 2m12s1/100 for the 2200 meters.
The rematch had a special flavor. Both had just faced each other in April's Osaka Hai (G1), where Croix du Nord had caught the then-leader Meisho Tabaru in the decisive stages to defeat him by three-quarters of a length.
Trainer Mamoru Ishibashi had already anticipated before the race that a track with some moisture could boost his trainee.
"A little rain suits him very well. He doesn't always run the same, but when it's his day, he is capable of truly important performances," he had pointed out.
The victory confirmed the definitive recovery of Meisho Tabaru. After winning this same Takarazuka Kinen in 2025, the horse had run with dignity in the Dubai Turf (G1), where he finished fifth, but then strung together discrete performances in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the Arima Kinen. The second place in the Osaka Hai had been an encouraging sign; Sunday's triumph ultimately ratified it.
Furthermore, he became just the third individual to win the race twice consecutively since its creation in 1960, emulating precisely his sire Gold Ship (Stay Gold), winner in 2013 and 2014, and the extraordinary Chrono Genesis(Bago), who achieved it in 2020 and 2021.
Behind the winner, Croix du Nord stood out once again as the most voted horse by fans to join the field. The trainee of Takashi Saito, who was coming off victories in the Osaka Hai and the Tenno Sho (Spring), performed at a high level once more, although he had to settle for second place.
Now the big question will be what the next destination for Meisho Tabaru will be. He has secured spots in two of the most important international races in the world, but the words from his connections seem to have made the priority clear.
After all, for Japan, there is still an outstanding account left to settle at Longchamp.
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