Japan’s most popular family has a new potential star after Marga set a two-year-old course record on debut at Hakodate on Saturday.
Marga, a Maurice half-sister to Sodashi out of cult mare Buchiko, was sent out as the 1.1 favourite for the 1800m newcomer race at Hakodate and led from start to finish under Yutaka Take to win by three lengths.
She stopped the clock in 1:48.1, 0.2 seconds quicker than the previous two-year-old track record set by subsequent Group 2 winner Victoria in 2018.
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マルガちゃん初戦余裕を見せながらも
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Hopes are high for the filly given Buchiko’s two previous daughters, Sodashi and Mama Cocha, are both Group 1 winners.
Sodashi also won this race on debut five years to the day before Marga’s success, while Sugai won this race with popular grey Gold Ship – not a member of this family – on debut in 2011.
Marga is the latest member of Japan’s feted Shirayukihime family to make it to the races. Learn more about the family tree here:
Take has only won aboard two other 1.1 favourites in newcomer races this century: Deep Impact at Hanshin in 2004 and Smart Grace at Kyoto in 2014.
“I felt relieved because the horse was drawing so much attention,” Take said. “Marga was training really well. In the race, I didn’t want to force her to go to the front but she has a very big stride so, instead of risking getting boxed, I decided to let her run at her own pace.
“She’s still keen and a bit new but I am excited about her potential. We just have to find a way to control her and rein in her energy. The record is more about the fact that the ground today at Hakodate is very firm so it may not reflect her ability. I told Mr Sugai that I think she is a miler so the big races at a mile, the same races that Sodashi won, will be good for her.”
Idol Horse will have the latest news from the 2025 JRHA Select Sale, which comes up this week from Northern Horse Park in Hokkaido. ∎
