Almond Eye Honored in Farewell Ceremony at Nakayama

The retirement ceremony of the Japanese magical mare Almond Eye, who won a record-breaking nine grade 1 events, took place in the Nakayama Racecourse paddock Dec. 19 following the day's races.

Wearing the blanket she received after winning the Japan Cup (G1) Nov. 29, the 5-year-old Lord Kanaloa mare entered the paddock and paraded in front of the connections and a limited number of fans who won the lottery of 2,542 seats in the Nakayama grandstand.

Her regular rider Christophe Lemaire, who rode his 200th winner at Nakayama Saturday, read a letter during the ceremony, saying: "Thank you very much for coming to Almond Eye's retirement ceremony. Today, we are here to celebrate the retirement of the fantastic mare who rewrote the history of Japanese horse racing. … Almond Eye has been special from the beginning. With her shape, running form, fighting spirit, and unusual ability, her fame has attracted horse racing fans all over the world, not just in Japan.

"She has been cherished by people who love and are passionate about horses and horse racing from her debut to the last race she ran. They worked together with their ability and passion and she reached the extent that is almost perfect. Almond Eye's story is not only as a horse but also of her people. We could see her memorable success thanks to their activities. I'd like to say thank you to all of the persons who have been involved with her.

"I am honored to be riding such a wonderful horse as a jockey. I will never forget the thrill and excitement that I tasted on her back forever. Me and my family thank Almond Eye and pray her life after retirement is calm. At last, I'd like to say thank you to all of the fans who cheered for her from her debut. Almond Eye's story is also of her fans. She will remain in our memory forever. Thank you very much."

Jockey Keita Tosaki, who rode Almond Eye to her first graded stakes victory, the 2018 Nikkan Sports Sho Shinzan Kinen (G3), said: "I had big confidence before the (Shinzan Kinen). I remember that I had a slow start, but I had no fear and raced with confidence. After that, I saw her grow up and watched her sweet face every time. As the rival, I always tried to beat her, but I couldn't."

Jockey Kosei Miura, who rode her in training at the Miho Training Center for trainer Sakae Kunieda, added: "She had a special aura from when I rode her for the first time. I felt a special feeling on her back I never experienced (with other mounts). … I rode her with a special nervous feeling. I'd like to say to her, 'Thank you.'"

Almond Eye's trainer Kunieda said: "Of course I am (a) little bit sad after her retirement. My best memory is her first Japan Cup. She showed her stunning ability the first time and the racing time was so fast that I thought the clock had broken. She had an on and off switch, so she was very sweet when she relaxed in the stable, but at the racecourse, she changed to be powerful, and we had trouble every time with her energy before the race.

"Almond Eye, good work. Thank you for making such a great achievement and leaving a pleasant memory. After you will go back to the farm and have a child, I want to train him or her in my yard, so please give birth to good children."

Masashi Yonemoto, the CEO of Silk Racing, which campaigned Almond Eye, said: 

"Today, I'd like to say thank you to the connections and fans for being here for her ceremony in the cold evening. And I want to say thank you to the (Japan Racing Association) Nakayama Racecourse for the preparation of this great opportunity for her retirement ceremony."

Almond Eye, who was named by a member of the owners' club, fascinated many people with her pretty face and sweet figure. She achieved great results, including the Shinzan Kinen in the hard-falling rain, the Triple Tiara in 2018, a time of 2.20.6 for 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) in the 2018 Japan Cup, international success in the 2019 Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1), and two winnings of the Tenno Sho (Autumn (G1)) in 2019-20. In her last race, the Japan Cup, she defeated this year's previously unbeaten Triple Crown and Triple Tiara winners.

Not all of her career was smooth sailing. She was withdrawn from the 2019 Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1) due to an elevated temperature. She was bound for another trip to Dubai this past spring, but the meeting was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In those situations, all the members of Kunieda's yard and Northern Farm worked to care for her put Almond Eye first every time.

Almond Eye recorded 11 wins, two seconds, and a third from 15 career starts and collected record Japanese earnings of ¥1,915,263,900 (US$17,608,586).

She will start her second career as a broodmare at Northern Farm, the operation that bred her. She will be sent to the Hokkaido farm and her first mating will be to Epiphaneia, the sire of the 2020 Triple Tiara winner Daring Tact.