Lys Gracieux sweeps aside rivals in Arima Kinen as Almond Eye fails to deliver

Lys Gracieux proved a cut above the rest as she secured a dazzling victory in the Grade 1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama.

Pulled out wide by Damian Lane entering the closing stages, the mare accelerated away from the Christophe Soumillon-ridden Saturnalia to win by five lengths. World Premiere was third as 1-2 shot Almond Eye disappointed to finish tailed off in ninth.

The victory was a third consecutive top-level victory for Lys Gracieux who won the Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin in June before taking the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October.

Connections announced the retirement of the daughter of Heart's Cry immediately after the race.

Lane said: "This was my third ride on her and I felt her growing up after winning the two Grade 1 races, so I rode her with great confidence.

Full result of the Arima Kinen at Nakayama

"We went a good pace for her. I was able to settle her on the inside and quickly open up early in the straight. Thank you to the connections who helped me prepare and put me in a position to win. I'm sad she's retiring now."

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi was left celebrating his first win in Japan's most prestigious race and added: "For Japanese the Arima Kinen is special. I can't express my happiness in words.

"After winning in Australia, this became her next target and we trained her specifically for it. I'm delighted everyone has now had the chance to see her true ability. I had always hoped to train such special horse."

Reporting on the performance of Almond Eye, jockey Christophe Lemaire said: "She was not relaxed and I was worried about her stamina, She emptied in the home straight. Her physical and condition was good but her rhythm was not."

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