The 48th running of the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen saw the international traveled Admire Moon pick up his first domestic Japanese Group 1 against one of the best fields ever assembled in Japan.

The race was run at breakneck speed with evergreen 8yo Lohengrin surprising many by jumping brilliantly and leading the field early, with expected leader Admire Main pushing him all the way. The first 1000m of the race was run in 57.9 seconds which allowed horses at the back of the field to finish strongly at the end.

As the leaders began to drop out at the 800m, several horses began to make their challenge, and at the top of the straight last year`s JRA Champion 3yo filly Kawakami Princess raced to the lead. Last year`s JRA Champion 3yo colt Meisho Samson quickly moved up to challenge her and gradually began to pull away.

3yo filly Vodka was sent out favorite by the Japanese punters after rewriting history in winning the Japanese Derby at her previous start, and she looked to be a chance when she made ground along the inside in the straight, but at the 200m she had come to the end of her run. Meisho Samson was in front, but Yasunari Iwata had patiently ridden Admire Moon at the back of the field and when he asked him for his effort in the straight it was soon clear he would be in the finish.

Meisho Samson fought back well when Admire Moon strode up beside him, but in the end Admire Moon proved too strong, and at the line Admire Moon was 1/2 length clear to claim first prize. Meisho Samson held on for 2nd, and the well traveled and always consistent Pop Rock finished on solidly for 3rd.

Kawakami Princess may have made her run too early, and she tired at the end to eventually finish 6th. Vodka finished in 8th place while 4 time Grade 1 winner Daiwa Major had gone into the race losing 16kgs from his win in the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen last start, and that may have told with him eventually finished well back in 12th place.

The win was the first Japanese Grade 1 victory for Admire Moon, and his second overall after winning the Dubai Duty Free in March. The win was also the first JRA Grade 1 win for jockey Yasunari Iwata since joining the JRA. Admire Moon is a 4yo colt by End Sweep out of the Sunday Silence mare My Katies. He is trained by Mr. Hiroyoshi Matsuda, is owned by Mr. Riichi Kondo and was bred by Northern Racing � an arm of the Shadai empire.