UNBEATEN in 2018, the public expectation that followed Almond Eye entering the new year knew no boundaries. Her seasonal reappearance came with a commanding performance in the Group 1 Dubai Turf, her first trip overseas, and all seemed to be on track for a globetrotting and dominant 2019.

Shortly after her winning trip to Meydan, news broke that connections had decided against sending the daughter of Lord Kanaloa to challenge for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, a race that has become an industry obsession in Japan.

On her domestic reappearance in June’s Yasuda Kinen, the almost unthinkable happened. A luckless run saw Almond Eye beaten for the first time in nine races over 22 months. Normality resumed in October with Almond Eye returning to winning ways in the Tenno Sho. Connections opted to bypass the Japan Cup, a race where Almond Eye holds the race record, in favour of a trip to Hong Kong for their international meeting. However, just days before travelling, a high temperature and an abnormal blood result caused plans to be quickly aborted.

The Group 1 Arima Kinen, one of two ‘all-star’ races held in the year, where the majority of entrants are decided by a public vote, was her final race. Over 1,500,000 fans voted on which horses they wanted to see contest the biggest betting race of the year. Unsurprisingly Almond Eye topped this poll.

Such is the attention racing in Japan garners, Almond Eye trended number one across the nation on Twitter. However in the race she faded tamely in the straight as Cox Plate winner Lys Graiciex galloped home to put herself in line for the Horse of the Year title.

Japan mourns loss of Deep Impact

IN years to come 2019 will most likely be remembered as the year in which Japan’s racing and breeding industry lost Deep Impact. The news of his death from complications resulting from a long-term neck injury in July will have implications for years to come.

Since being crowned champion freshman sire in 2010, Deep Impact continued to strengthen his position in the Japanese stallion ranks to remain essentially unchallenged as the leading sire.

2018 marked the seventh consecutive year the son of Sunday Silence was crowned the champion sire in Japan. 2019 is proving to be no different as Deep Impact holds an already unassailable lead in the sires’ rankings.

The champion sire covered 24 mares in February before being stood down from covering duties. It is reported that 15 of the 24 are in foal.

Deep Impact’s legacy has further opportunity to continue with several of his sons now standing at stud.

His son, Kizuna has made a highly encouraging start to his stud career with his first runners this year. Kizuna currently leads the freshman’s list with prominent contenders entered in the upcoming juvenile Group 1 races.

Lemaire set to retain title

FOR the third consecutive year, French-born Christophe Lemaire is set to retain the leading JRA jockeys’ title. Lemaire has to date won 163 JRA races, an 14-winner advantage over Yuga Kawada. His highest profile wins include five Group 1 races, three Group 2 wins and six Group 3 victories.

Lemaire began riding in the JRA in 2002 under a short-term licence before making the move permanent in 2015. He is the 32nd JRA jockey to surpass 1,100 career wins, reaching this milestone in November. Lemaire is the fastest rider in JRA history to reach that mark, getting there in his 5,454th race.

IN what has been a highly competitive season in the JRA, the performance of the year comes from the unlikely source of the Group 1 Champion’s Cup. Three-year-old Chrysoberyl emphatically beat a field of seasoned dirt performers continuing his upward trajectory, unbeaten in six career starts.

The draw of America could see the son of Gold Allure travel overseas in 2020, following Master Fencer in 2019, who attempted to become the first Japanese horse to win a Grade 1 on dirt in the US.

IN recent years, Japanese buyers have remained consistent at leading bloodstock auctions worldwide. The presence has been predominantly at breeding stock sales, appearing on the leading purchasers’ list. While this trend of securing some of the most successful and prolific female lines is set to continue, 2020 and could see an additional focus on proven stallions.

Only three of the leading top 10 sires are under the age of 18 (19 in 2020). Five of the current top 10 are not in active duty. 2020 is a year that through necessity, Japanese breeding operations could well turn to the European stallion market to secure an established top-class turf stallion with an immediate need for new sire lineS, given the resources available to the leading stallion farms.

Shadai Stallion station have added leading US turf runner, Bricks And Mortar. While Godolphin have recruited Hawkbill and Thunder Snow. Arrow Stud has also added California Chrome.