Ahead of Journey With Equinox, Horse Racing Icon Almond Eye Welcomes Her Newborn

The horse racing realm is full of surprises and celebrations. Among the various Thoroughbred racehorses who made heads turn in the competitive year 2023, one name, hailing from a family of top-class athletes, caught more attention. Sired by the 2013 Japanese Horse of the Year, the 8-year-old bay mare has an amazing career to marvel at, starting from her first success in 1600 meters maiden race, at Tokyo Racecourse.

Almond Eye, the 2x Japan Cup winner with a world record over 2,400 meters on turf, bid goodbye to her racing career more than years ago. The same venue of Nakayama Racecourse, where her new partner Equinox celebrated his retirement alongside their mating announcement. But she was already in foal with a member of the same bloodline, which bore fruit recently.

Horse racing icon’s beloved filly is a spitting image of its mother

Kitasan Black’s Almond Eye birthed her filly in March 2023. And after all these months, an adorable filly is born. To celebrate, World Horse Racing’s official X handle posted, “Welcome to the world, little one! ALMOND EYE has had her filly by KITASAN BLACK, born on Saturday!” The picture features both mom and daughter bonding over their love language. As stunning as the surroundings looked, the netizens didn’t miss out on the poise the filly inherited from her mom. To combat the icy cold, the foal rug provided an extra touch of warmth.

The 2x Japanese Horse of the Year had received a loving farewell two years ago. However, received only 2,500 people were allowed to make an entry through a voting process. The reason being that Japan was still in a stranglehold of the COVID-19 then. Having already birthed Maurice and Epiphaneia, Almond Eye fans always wanted a communion between her and Equinox.

People behind Equinox’s career have high hopes for the future

When Katsumi Yoshida, one of the celebrated principals of Shadai Stallion Station, announced the most awaited cross in 2024, one person couldn’t contain his excitement. Both Equinox and Almond Eye have carried the blue and red of Silk Racing, hence the jollification.

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Various Japan Cup victors aboard both the equines, Christophe Lemaire, had said, “Of course I want to ride his children. Almond Eye and Equinox’s children will probably become the best in the world again.” As Equinox now graces the stallion’s life, Almond Eye counted her achievements in 2023, the most notable being the JRA Hall of Fame induction.

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