The Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup is an International Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies and mares run over a distance of 2,200 metres (approximately 1 mile 3 furlongs) on the turf at Kyoto Racecourse in November.
The race was first run in 1976 over a distance of 2,400 metres (1 mile 4 furlongs). It was originally for four-year-old fillies(:then) 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. That 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. In 2010 Snow Fairy from England, being the first winner 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, which Karasi winning Nakayama Grand Jump between 2005-2007).
It is only Grade 1 race that can be entered by both 3-year old and 4-year old above fillies/mares. And one of the two Grade 1 races for older female horses in Japan (Which the other is the Victoria Mile).
Read more about Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup: Winners Since 1996, Earlier Winners
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