The Queen Elizabeth II Cup (''Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup'' until 2012) is an
International Grade 1 flat horse race
Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its bas ...
in Japan for three-year-old and above
thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...
fillies and
mare
A mare is an adult female horse or other equidae, equine. In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse three and younger. In Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more th ...
s run over a distance of 2,200 metres (approximately 1 mile 3 furlongs) on the turf at
Kyoto Racecourse
is located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It is used for horse racing. It has a capacity of 120,000. The current stand was built in 1999.
History
Kyoto Racecourse opened at its current location in December 1, 1925.
In prepara ...
in November.
Originally called the Victoria Cup, it was renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 1975 to commemorate the visit of
Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...
to Japan.
History
The race was first run in 1976 over a distance of 2,400 metres (1 mile 4 furlongs). It was originally for three-year-old fillies only and was the third leg of the
Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown. In 1996, it was opened to older female horses and was reduced to its present distance. In the same year the
Shuka Sho was established and became the third leg of the Fillies' Triple Crown.
Since 1999 it turned into International Grade 1 race, with
Snow Fairy from England, in 2010, being the first winner from outside Japan. The following year she made Japanese flat racing history of being the first ever non-Japanese trained horse to win the same Grade 1 flat race back-to-back (second ever including
Steeplechase, with
Karasi winning
Nakayama Grand Jump between 2005 and 2007).
It is the only Grade 1 race that is restricted to fillies and mares aged three or above. The other Grade 1 races for older female horses in Japan, the
Victoria Mile, excludes three-year-olds.
Records
Winners
Kawakami Princess finished first in 2006 but was demoted to 12th place following a Stewards' Inquiry.
The 2020, 2021 and 2022 races took place at
Hanshin Racecourse
is located in Takarazuka, Hyogo, Japan. It has a capacity of 139,000 and is used for horse racing. The land was originally owned by Kawanishi Aircraft Company, which manufactured combat planes during World War II. After World War II, GHQ orde ...
over a distance of 2200 metres.
See also
*
Horse racing in Japan
*
List of Japanese flat horse races
This is a list of notable Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse races which take place annually in Japan. Except for the Tokyo Daishoten, all graded races are operated by Japan Racing Association, including all conditions races which currently hold ...
References
*Netkeiba:
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*
Racing Post
''Racing Post'' is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing, and sports betting publisher published in print and digital formats. It is printed in tabloid format from Monday to Sunday. , it has an average daily circulation of 60,629 ...
:
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External links
Horse Racing in Japan
{{Japanese Grade I horse races
Middle distance horse races for fillies and mares
Turf races in Japan