Year in review: Five international racing stars of 2019

It was a memorable year for high-class Thoroughbreds around the globe, especially fillies and mares, who dominated headlines in Europe, Japan and Australia.

From January through December, fans of enjoyed the exploits of an extraordinary array of stars. Let’s look back at five of the most memorable names from the international racing scene.

Almond Eye

Almond Eye wasn’t perfect in 2019, but at her best this decorated 4-year-old was as good as any horse in the world. The winner of the 2018 Japan Filly Triple Crown, Almond Eye kicked off her season by traveling halfway around the world to win the Dubai Turf (G1) at Meydan. Later in the year she reiterated her brilliance on home turf with a powerful victory in the Tenno Sho Autumn (G1), where she scored by three lengths in the near-record time of 1:56.1 for 2,000 meters. If you’re looking for pure brilliance, Almond Eye is the definition.

Blue Point

“Dominant” doesn’t begin to describe the superiority of Blue Point among turf sprinters in 2019. Carrying the famous blue silks of Godolphin, Blue Point went 3-for-3 at Meydan during the winter and edged future Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) winner Belvoir Bay in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1). Then he traveled to England and pulled off a rare double at Royal Ascot, where he won the King’s Stand Stakes (G1) and Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1) in the span of five days. Blue Point’s tenacious triumph in the latter race stamped him as Europe’s best sprinter in recent memory.

Enable

Although Enable came up short in her bid for a historic three-peat in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), her achievements during the summer of 2019 were unmatched. Between July and August she won three group 1 races, and most notably showcased incredible grit and determination to out-battle Crystal Ocean by a neck in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1).

Enable will remain in training for 2020, which gives her her an opportunity to cement her legacy with a fourth season of top-level competition. A third triumph in the Arc might still be in reach!

Lys Gracieux

Lys Gracieux used to be something of a bridesmaid, as she placed in one major race after another but struggled to secure a top-level victory of her own. The Japanese-bred five-year-old elevated her game to a new level in 2019, when she rattled off consecutive triumphs in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1), Cox Plate (G1) and Arima Kinen (G1).

With her victory in the Cox Plate, Lys Gracieux became the first Japanese runner to win the prestigious Australian prize. But it was her victory over home turf in the Arima Kinen that made the greatest impression, as Lys Gracieux blew the doors off a stellar field to win by five lengths in a breathtaking performance.

Winx

The legendary Australian supermare brought her career to a show-stopping conclusion with four victories between February and April, which extended her extraordinary win streak to 33. The late-running daughter of Street Cry delighted racing fans at Royal Randwick, where she won the 2,000-meter Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) for the third consecutive year, which gave her a record 25th group 1 win.