Lys Gracieux stole the show from fan-favorite Almond Eye on Sunday by winning the 64th running of the Arima Kinen in a stellar finish to her successful career.
The retiring 5-year-old mare, ridden by Australian jockey Damian Lane, pulled around the pack in the final stretch of the 2,500-meter turf race at Nakayama Racecourse and crossed the line in front by five lengths in 2 minutes, 30.5 seconds.
"Obviously I went into the race thinking Almond Eye would be hard to beat, but I just had so much confidence in this horse," said Lane, who had 37 wins over 123 rides in Japan before the race.