Japanese racing legend Yutake Take is hoping to create more history in France as he partners Sixpence in the Group 1 Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois (1600m) on Sunday.

The veteran rider has spent the last few weeks being commemorated at home for achieving his 5,000th winner while aboard Sixpence he set another record as the oldest winning rider of a Japanese Group 1 race when riding Sixpence to success in the Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at 57 years old.

Almost 28 years ago that same race was captured by Taiki Shuttle before he landed the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville and Take will stay aboard looking for further riches.

While an elusive first success in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe remains his greatest aim, the rider clearly enjoys returning to France. In 1994 he became the first Japanese rider to win a European Group 1 when scoring on Sky Paradise in the Prix du Moulin (1600m) while he also has success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, Prix de l'Abbaye and Prix d'Ispahan on his CV.

“Deauville is my favourite racecourse,” Take told local media in Japan. “It's a summer resort where golf is popular, and horse racing takes place in an elegant atmosphere.

"It's a big summer race. I'm looking forward to riding again after a long time, and to challenging with a Japanese horse."

His mount had been a top performer in his three-year-old campaign two years ago, capturing the Group 2 Mainichi Okan (1800m) then the Nakayama Kinen (1800m) the following season. The five-year-old though will head to France after a career highlight in the Yasude Kinen.

Take added: “I rode him for the first time in the paddock and thought he had a lot of power. I have a feeling he'll do well on overseas turf.”

The two-strong Japanese challenge also includes Strauss. He won the Listed Abu Dhabi Gold Cup (1600m) in February before finishing down the field in the Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin when last seen in April.

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