White-hot anticipation as Sodashi's half-sister Marga set for debut at Hakodate
Thursday, 10 July, 2025 01:45
Marga (left)
This weekend, several blue-blooded newcomers, each with G1-winning siblings, are set to make their highly anticipated debuts across the country. But the most spotlighted among them is Marga, a 2-year-old filly by Maurice, who will debut in Saturday's Race 5 at Hakodate Racecourse (1800m turf), partnered with jockey Yutaka Take. She is the younger half-sister of three-time G1 winner Sodashi, the beloved white filly who captivated fans as an idol horse. Just like her elder sister, Marga will make her debut on July 12 at Hakodate, the very same day and venue where Sodashi began her career with a maiden win five years ago. Now, Marga looks to follow her illustrious sibling's hoofprints on the road to stardom.
Sporting a gleaming white coat and soulful eyes, hallmarks of her famous bloodline, Marga will step onto the stage in Saturday's Hakodate Race 5. As the half-sister of Sodashi, whose legacy and popularity transcended racing circles, Marga has been carefully prepared for her debut, gradually building toward this long-awaited moment.
In the irons will be none other than the legendary Yutaka Take, who currently leads the standings at the Hakodate meeting with 11 wins. Take partnered with Marga for the first time during a turf workout at Hakodate on July 2, where she clocked 53.1 - 38.1 - 12.0 over four furlongs and finished ahead in a three-horse group gallop. Among those behind her was Shonan Gulf, who just five days later crushed the competition with a seven-length victory in a Newcomers race. The expectations continue to soar.
"She has the strong mouth typical of this bloodline, but she feels and moves really well. She's a good horse," Take commented, clearly impressed. "Except for Sodashi, the siblings have mainly excelled on dirt, but Marga moves like a turf horse," he added with a smile.
On Tuesday morning, Marga appeared on the track with a spring in her step, preparing for her final piece of work on Wednesday. Watching closely was trainer Naosuke Sugai, who nodded with approval, "She has a good vibe about her." He noted the filly has been thoroughly trained and is maturing well. "We've been schooling her at the gate every day. So far, she's more even-tempered than Sodashi," he observed.
In a twist of fate, it was also July 12, five years ago, when Sodashi made her victorious debut at this very venue and distance. Aware of the significance, Yutaka Take declared, "There will be a lot of attention, and I want to ride with that in mind."
Marga now readies to stride boldly into summer at Hakodate, poised to write the next chapter in the saga of Japan's white wonder horses.
Sporting a gleaming white coat and soulful eyes, hallmarks of her famous bloodline, Marga will step onto the stage in Saturday's Hakodate Race 5. As the half-sister of Sodashi, whose legacy and popularity transcended racing circles, Marga has been carefully prepared for her debut, gradually building toward this long-awaited moment.
In the irons will be none other than the legendary Yutaka Take, who currently leads the standings at the Hakodate meeting with 11 wins. Take partnered with Marga for the first time during a turf workout at Hakodate on July 2, where she clocked 53.1 - 38.1 - 12.0 over four furlongs and finished ahead in a three-horse group gallop. Among those behind her was Shonan Gulf, who just five days later crushed the competition with a seven-length victory in a Newcomers race. The expectations continue to soar.
"She has the strong mouth typical of this bloodline, but she feels and moves really well. She's a good horse," Take commented, clearly impressed. "Except for Sodashi, the siblings have mainly excelled on dirt, but Marga moves like a turf horse," he added with a smile.
On Tuesday morning, Marga appeared on the track with a spring in her step, preparing for her final piece of work on Wednesday. Watching closely was trainer Naosuke Sugai, who nodded with approval, "She has a good vibe about her." He noted the filly has been thoroughly trained and is maturing well. "We've been schooling her at the gate every day. So far, she's more even-tempered than Sodashi," he observed.
In a twist of fate, it was also July 12, five years ago, when Sodashi made her victorious debut at this very venue and distance. Aware of the significance, Yutaka Take declared, "There will be a lot of attention, and I want to ride with that in mind."
Marga now readies to stride boldly into summer at Hakodate, poised to write the next chapter in the saga of Japan's white wonder horses.
Article Creds:Daily Sports