Recently retired Japanese mare Almond Eye (Lord Kanaloa-Fusaichi Pandora, by Sunday Silence) has been awarded her second Horse of the Year title, to go with her 2018 crown.
The dual Japan Cup winner (who won nine Gr1 races and 11 races overall) collected 236 of the available 283 votes in the Japan Horse of the Year Award process for 2020.
“First of all, I am very honoured to have been selected for the prestigious Horse of the Year title,” said Masashi Yonemoto of Silk Racing Co. Ltd, owners of Almond Eye.
“I would like to thank all the people involved in this horse, including the Kunieda stable and Northern Farm staff. She has retired safely and has started her new career as a broodmare, so please continue to support her as her children make their debuts. Last year she won three Gr1 races, finishing her career while maintaining her brilliance. All I can say is thank you to Almond Eye. I think it was thanks to the support of the owners, breeders and fans that we were able to win the Horse of the Year award.”
The award for leading 3YO colt went to Contrail (Deep Impact-Rhodochrosite, by Unbridled’s Song), 3YO filly to Daring Tact (Epiphaneia-Daring Bird, by King Kamehameha), 2YO colt to Danon The Kid (Just a Way-Epic Love, by Dansili), and 2YO filly to Sodashi (Kurofone-Buchiko, by King Kamehameha).
