Almond eye continues with plans for Dubai's carnival
What you need to know:
- Twenty-four hours on from the announcement, Almond Eye's trainer, Sakae Kunieda, was at the Miho training centre, looking ahead to what could be an exciting international campaign.
- Kunieda said: "The Arc is our ultimate goal. We'll see how we do in Dubai and make the final call after that but the Arc is our target. She's doing really well now, coming along nicely."
The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a potential date with hat-trick-seeking Enable will be this season's priority for Almond Eye, Japan's latest racing phenomenon.
Named by the Japan Racing Association as Horse of the Year, as well as leading three-year-old filly, Almond Eye is in the early stages of preparation for her first foreign venture to Dubai at the end of March.
The JRA awards – which will be formally presented on January 28 – may have been something of a formality as Silk Racing's daughter of Lord Kanaloa went unbeaten in 2018, collecting all three legs of the fillies' Triple Crown, before blasting the Japan Cup in, a riveting 2:20:6/10 seconds.
But Almond Eye's coronation was still notable as she became the first horse since TM Opera O in 2000 to scoop all 276 votes for Horse of the Year.
Twenty-four hours on from the announcement, Almond Eye's trainer, Sakae Kunieda, was at the Miho training centre, looking ahead to what could be an exciting international campaign.
Kunieda said: "The Arc is our ultimate goal. We'll see how we do in Dubai and make the final call after that but the Arc is our target. She's doing really well now, coming along nicely."
Jockey Christophe Lemaire is considered a key component of the team's Arc ambitions, having enjoyed a highly successful career in his native France before relocating full-time to Japan in 2016.
Since then he has twice been tasked with guiding Japanese hopes in Europe's richest race, suffering disappointment aboard Makahiki in 2016 before a wet autumn effectively ruined his chances with Satono Diamond the following October.
Kunieda has yet to saddle a runner in the Arc but added: "Lemaire thinks she'll adapt to the Longchamp course, so I'll take his word for it!" Entries for the Dubai Turf and Sheema Classic have closed now, with connections set to make a decision nearer the time as to which race Almond Eye will contest on what is scheduled to be her seasonal reappearance.
Further reminders of Japan's long and often painful love affair with the Arc came as Yutaka Take was named recipient of a Special Award in recognition of him passing 4,000 career successes on the JRA circuit.
Yutaka said: "I wish to express my appreciation to the many people who lent me their support, and to the horses I have ridden.
"Take, who will be 50 in March, has carried Japanese hopes in the Arc on multiple occasions, most notably when finishing third in 2006 atop the country's most enduring equine legend, Deep Impact.
JRA 2018 Awards
Horse of the Year/Best three-year-old filly - Almond Eye
Best two-year-old colt - Admire Mars
Best two-year-old filly - Danon Fantasy
Best three-year-old colt - Blast Onepiece
Best older colt or horse - Rey De Oro
Best older filly or mare - Lys Gracieux
Best sprinter or miler - Fine Needle
Best dirt horse - Le Vent Se Leve
Best steeplechaser - Oju Chosan
Special Award - Yutaka Take
