Almond Eye Rides Off Into Sunset as Legendary Champion

Almond Eye won the 40th Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on November 29. She was ridden by Christophe Lemaire. Yuichi Fukunaga led Contrail to the runner-up finish. Daring Tact finished third. Curren Bouquetd'or (Akihide Tsumura), Curran Bouquetdor and Glory Vase rounded out the top five. The horse's career as a race horse ended today. The jockey is looking forward to riding her children. Almond eye won her ninth Grade I turf race. Contra won in the Kikuka Sho on October 25.

Almond Eye won the G1 race in 2 minutes, 23 seconds. Kiseki had a nine-length lead but Almond eye and Contrail overtook him on the final 400 meters. Almonds Eye will retire after the race. The winner received $2.727 million JPY. The race was held in the same place where Lemaire and his thoroughbred won in November. It was the first time the two horses had been ridden by the Frenchman. He was overcome with emotion after that win. His horse won 11 times in 15 races.