Gold Ship wins back-to-back renewals of the Takarazuka Kinen.

Gold Ship made history in Japan when becoming the first horse to win two renewals of the Takarazuka Kinen in the 55-year history of the race.

The field of the Group One contest is decided by a fan ballot and the reigning champion received the most votes in a strong line-up and his supporters were not to be disappointed either as the five-year-old son of Stay Gold landed a fifth top level success.

Sent off the odds-on favourite, he broke slowly from stall 11 but accelerated to settle in around. The Naosuke Sugai-trained gray retained that slot on the outside of market rival Gentildonna through most of the trip, and after circling wide into the stretch, jockey Norihiro Yokoyama steered the defending champion further to the outside and immediately made his move.

Gold Ship responded willingly, hitting the front a furlong out before pulling away to record a smooth three length victory over outsider Curren Mirotic with another longshot, Verxina, just over a length away in third.

Last year's third Gentildonna received the third highest numbetr of votes for the second successive year; she secured a good spot in around fourth or fifth but lacked a kick in the straight and could only finish a disappointing ninth.

“The horse ran a good race to claim the victory. He didn’t break well as expected, but I was able to guide him to good position thanks to the wide draw," said the winning jockey.

"The track condition was a little soft (because of the rain), so I wasn’t sure if he would respond, but he didn’t seem to care at all.

"He’s a clever horse and whether he performs well or not depends on his mood. So I’m relieved that he lived up to the expectations of many fans,” Yokoyama added.

Gold Ship receives an automatic starting position as the Breeders’ Cup Turf  as the Takarazuka Kinen joined the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series in 2011.