Almond Eye wins under Christophe Lemair (Pic – Japan Racing Association)
In Japan the overwhelming favourite Almond Eye showcased another compelling performance on Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse and claimed a back-to-back Gr1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) title – the first horse to achieve the feat since Symboli Kris S in 2002 and 2003.
Almond Eye, a 5-year-old daughter of Lord Kanaloa, took station in the clear, three back of breakaway leader Danon Premium as the field sorted out down the backstretch. The running order was virtually unchanged to the top of the stretch, which features a sharp uphill climb.
Given her cue by jockey Christophe Lemaire, Almond Eye quickly lengthened stride, hitting the front inside the 200-meter marker. Fierement also kicked into gear late to finish second, a half-length behind the winner. Chrono Genesis was third.
Almond Eye finished the 2,000 meters in 1:57.8.
Watch the race here
While she is now the sixth horse to mark seven JRA-Gr1 wins, the five-year-old Lord Kanaloa mare has gone down in history to become the first JRA horse ever to capture eight Gr1 titles over turf including the 2019 Dubai Turf.
This is the sixth triumph by a filly/mare this year in Gr1 races open to both male and female runners, renewing the record of five set in 2008.
Following the Victoria Mile victory with Almond Eye, trainer Sakae Kunieda now boasts a total of 18 JRA-Gr1 wins while jockey Christophe Lemaire has now 32 JRA-Gr1 wins in his pocket, his latest registered last month in the Sprinters Stakes with Gran Alegria.
This is Christophe’s third consecutive Tenno Sho (Autumn) victory following the 2018 version with Rey de Oro and 2019 with Almond Eye, and fifth consecutive Tenno Sho victory, a new JRA record, which includes the 2019 and 2020 Spring version with Fierement.
Japan’s Gr1 Tenno Sho, originally known as ‘The Emperor’s Cup’ was first held in 1905 to encourage horse racing as a sport through annual events that gave the winner the highest honour of being awarded the Imperial prize.
Then the Tenno Sho (Autumn) was established in 1937 together with its counterpart, Tenno Sho (Spring), under the name ‘Teishitsu Goshoten Kyoso’ and held biannually in both the Eastern and Western part of Japan.
The race was officially renamed the ‘Tenno Sho’ in 1947.
