Lemaire excited by future foreign ventures with 'exceptional' Almond Eye

While Oisin Murphy, James Doyle and the evergreen Frankie Dettori might all lay claim to being the hottest jockey in Europe this year, there is little doubt that Christophe Lemaire is enjoying a purple patch in his adopted home of Japan.

Lemaire will go in search of a third Grade 1 success in as many Sundays when partnering Rey De Oro in the Tenno Sho Autumn at Tokyo this weekend, having won the Kikuka Sho (colts' St Leger) last Sunday aboard Fierement.

That was Lemaire's fourth Classic win in Japan from the country's six this season, earning connections more than £3.4 million.

But go back a week further and it is the memory of Almond Eye's burst of raw power when coming from well back in the Shuka Sho to land the third leg of the Fillies' Triple Crown that is still uppermost in Lemaire's mind.

Now connections are eyeing a first foray into open company with Almond Eye, who would be the star attraction if taking her chance in next month's Japan Cup.

Lemaire said: "She has a great stride on her, she really stretches out in front and is so powerful behind. The way she accelerates marks her as being out of the ordinary and the way she hunts her rivals down so quickly really gives you a great sensation.

"She's exceptional and, while I’ve been lucky enough to ride some very good horses, she's up there with the real cracks."

While no definitive announcement about her programme has been made, Lemaire expects the daughter of Lord Kanaloa – already a 12-1 chance for the 2019 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – to head for the Japan Cup on November 25 before being sent on her travels next year.

Christophe Lemaire salutes the crowd at Kyoto after Almond Eye completes the Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown in the Shuka ShoCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

"At four it's very likely, and thus very exciting, that she will race abroad, be that Dubai, or Europe in the autumn," the jockey added.

"This year she certainly would have had a chance in the Arc, especially as the three-year-old fillies are advantaged by the weights. I think the team felt that, putting the filly first, it was better to give her a relatively straightforward year at three ahead of thinking about the prestige of the Arc.

"For now the thinking is geared towards running in the Japan Cup because she will be well treated at the weights and carry only 53kg [8st 3lb]. In the short term that's the plan, although nothing is set in stone."

'Cumani among the legends in Britain'

Through his association with owners such as Teruya Yoshida, Paul Makin and Leonidas Marinopoulos, Lemaire enjoyed great success from his opportunities with Luca Cumani, partnering Starcraft to a pair of Group 1 victories in the Prix du Moulin and the QEII, and also landing the Brigadier Gerard Stakes courtesy of Cima De Triomphe.

Starcraft was a big winner for Luca Cumani in the 2005 QEIICredit: George Shelton/racingfotos.com

"For me Luca Cumani is among the legends of the training ranks in Britain and when I first rode for him it was a really big deal," said Lemaire of the Newmarket trainer who has announced his intention to hand in his licence at the end of the year.

"To ride in a Group 1 for him I thought to myself, 'Wow!' I didn't ride an enormous amount for him but it always went well and I rode four Group winners in maybe ten starts.

"What was really important was that we had a good relationship. Straight away Mr Cumani showed confidence in me and I never felt under any pressure. It went very well and was always a great pleasure."

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