'Everyone was waiting for him to win' - Almond Eye's second son strikes on debut in Japan

Promesa Al Mundo, the second son of Japan's record-breaking champion Almond Eye, won on debut at Niigata racecourse on Sunday.

Owned like his dam by the Silk Racing Co and partnered by Almond Eye's regular rider Christophe Lemaire, the two-year-old son of Maurice settled midfield in the 13-strong field. Inside the final furlong, the colt quickly opened up to lead and stayed on to beat the second favourite, Badrinath, by a neck. 

Almond Eye won nine times at the highest level and the daughter of Lord Kanaloa's victories included the Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas), Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks), Dubai Turf and two Japan Cups. 

Lemaire said: "Almond Eye's children are special and everyone was waiting for him to win. He's intelligent and calm like his mother and also accelerated well. His stride is similar to his father, Maurice, and his suitable trip would be about eight to nine furlongs. He's a colt who still has plenty of improvement so I'm looking forward to his future."

Trainer Sakae Kunieda added: "I'm glad he managed to win. I was a bit nervous at the end [when the second horse came from the inside]. He is calm, so I hope he will progress smoothly into the autumn."

Promesa Al Mundo's year-older half-brother, the Epiphaneia-sired Aaron's Rod, won on his fourth race in February but was later found to have a fracture and is currently recuperating.

Almond Eye has a yearling filly by Kitasan Black.

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