Sixpence Shines in Shocking Dirt Debut, Takes Second in Mile Championship Nambu Hai
On October 13, 2025, Sixpence, a prominent turf horse known for its prowess on grass, made a stunning debut on dirt, finishing a strong second in the Mile Championship Nambu Hai (GI). This performance greatly surprised racing fans. While Wilson Tesoro, ridden by Yuga Kawada, ultimately claimed victory, the fifth-favorite Sixpence showcased its talent equally well on the dirt track. Fans reacted with astonishment, exclaiming, "Sixpence!?!?!?!?'," "So strong for a first dirt race!," and "Unbelievable!" Until now, Sixpence had a strong record on turf, winning its maiden race, a one-win class, and a G2, while narrowly missing out in G1s. This time, trainer Sakae Kunieda was reported to have commented, "He has no choice but to go full Shohei Ohtani," and indeed, expectations for Sixpence to become a "two-way" horse, excelling on both turf and dirt, have surged. Sixpence is a progeny of Kizuna, and this result has led to speculation fro...