The Nov. 16 renewal of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) at Kyoto Racecourse fairly drips with history and sports a well-matched field of fillies and mares looking to write a new chapter.
This will be the 50th running of the QE II Cup, which commemorates the 1975 visit to Japan by Her Majesty, the Queen. And Kyoto Racecourse itself marks its 100th anniversary this year.
From an international standpoint, Snow Fairy made history by winning back-to-back runnings in 2010 and 2011 with Ryan Moore aboard for trainer Ed Dunlop. There are no foreign entries in this year's race, leaving it to 18 locals to settle things.
Familiarity with the Kyoto layout—or lack of it—could be a factor in the outcome, judging by connections' pre-race comments. If so, Regaleira, one of the likely favorites, has something to prove.
Regaleira, the 2024 Arima Kinen (G1) winner, has raced at Kyoto only once, finishing fifth in last year's QE II Cup. She won her last start, the Sankei Sho All-Comers at Nakayama in September, but assistant trainer Yu Ota said it remains to be seen if she will do better on a second go at Kyoto.
"She wasn't able to get a good position in last year's race, but it had nothing to do with the course or the going on the day," Ota said. "So hopefully things will go more her way this time."
On the flip side, Erika Express might have a "horse for the course" edge.
Erika Express, a 3-year-old daughter of Epiphaneia, won her career debut at Kyoto in October of 2024 and returned in her most recent start in the Shuka Sho (G1) at 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles), 200 meters short of the QE II Distance. She led most of the way in that, caught in the late going by Embroidery (JPN) to finish second.
"The Kyoto track seems to suit the horse," said trainer Haruki Sugiyama. "If she hadn't just got caught off guard a little in the back straight last time, she may have produced a bit extra."
Paradis Reine, a 3-year-old Kizuna filly, finished fourth in the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks-G1) at Tokyo Racecourse but has had a happier relationship with the Kyoto course. She broke her maiden there in December and won again in February. In her last start, she was flying late to finish third in the Shuka Sho.
"She closed well in her last race, with the fastest final three-furlong time," Japan Racing Association staff quoted a representative of Paradis Reine's training crew. "Things have been as usual with her since, and looking at her run in the Oaks, the long home straight on the outer course at Kyoto would seem to suit her."
Stellenbosch, a 4-year-old by Epiphaneia, was gangbusters earlier in her career, mixing it up with the best and scoring a signature win in the Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas-G1). She wound up 2024 finishing third in the Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse.
Her 2025 campaign has been a major disappointment, but her third in last year's Shuka Sho—her only previous experience at Kyoto—is cause for hope, as is the switch to red-hot rider Christophe Lemaire.
"There seems to be no problem with her condition and she's very well," said Lemaire, who is looking for his fourth consecutive grade 1 victory. "Her reactions in training have been good. As a grade 1 winner, she has ability, and so I have confidence in her. The distance of the race should be fine."
Vermicelles, a 5-year-old Gold Ship mare, makes her first grade 1 start but comes off a third-place finish, at long odds, in the 2,400-meter Kyoto Daishon (G2) in October.
"The Kyoto Daishoten was a high-level Grade 2 race," said trainer Keiji Yoshimura. "The jockey did well by sticking to the inside throughout the race, and for a moment it looked as if the horse could win. Despite her wins at Kokura and Fukushima, the wider Kyoto track is a help for her."
Coconuts Brown has five Kyoto starts to her credit with two wins and two thirds to show for them. All, however, came well down the class ladder.
