The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies over a distance of one and one-eighth miles on the turf held annually in October at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky during the fall meeting.

History The race was inaugurated on October 11, 1984, in honour of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who attended the Keeneland races, during her private visit to Central Kentucky, and who presented a trophy on that date. The event was held on the dirt track over a distance of miles with Sintra winning in a time of 1:43.

The following year the event was moved to the turf track.

The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup was a Listed race in 1984 and 1985, and was upgraded to Grade III status in 1986. The event held this status for two runnings and was upgraded to Grade II. In 1991 was upgraded once more to Grade I.

It is an important prep race to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Records Time record: miles: 1:45.81 – Memories of Silver (1996) miles: 1:43.20 - Graceful Darby (1987)

Margins: 6 lengths – She Feels Pretty (2024)

Most wins by an owner 2 – Henryk de Kwiatkowski (1985, 1986) 2 – Darby Dan Farm (1988, 1990) 2 – Stronach Stables (1999, 2000)

Most wins by a jockey 4 – John R. Velazquez (1995, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2024)

Most wins by a trainer 5 – Chad C. Brown (2012, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)

Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref2025Lush Lips (GB)Tyler GaffalioneBrendan P. WalshMedallion Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Hoffman Thoroughbreds, Mrs. Paul Shanahan & Mrs. M.V. Magnier miles1:48.01$665,300 I2024 She Feels Pretty John R. VelazquezCherie DeVauxLael Stables (Roy & Gretchen Jackson) miles1:46.50 $719,375 I2023Mawj (IRE)Oisin MurphySaeed bin SuroorGodolphin miles1:48.06$501,000I2022Gina RomanticaFlavien PratChad C. BrownPeter M. Brant miles1:48.20$569,125I2021Shantisara (IRE) Flavien PratChad C. BrownMichael Dubb, Madaket Stables & Robert V. LaPenta miles1:48.86$500,000I2020Harvey's Lil Goil Martin GarciaWilliam I. MottHarvey A. Clarke (Estate) & Paul Braverman miles1:48.72$500,000I2019Cambier ParcJohn R. VelazquezChad C. BrownOXO Equine miles1:49.54$500,000I2018Rushing FallJavier CastellanoChad C. Brown e Five Racing Thoroughbreds miles1:50.42$500,000I2017La CoronelJose LezcanoMark E. CasseJohn C. Oxley miles1:48.99$500,000I2016Time and MotionJohn R. VelazquezJames J. TonerPhillips Racing Partnership miles1:50.24$500,000I2015Her EmmynencyFlorent GerouxMichael StidhamDawn & Ike Thrash miles1:48.84$500,000I2014Crown QueenJohn R. VelazquezWilliam I. MottBesilu Stables miles1:49.98$500,000I2013Kitten's DumplingsJulien R. LeparouxMichael J. MakerKenneth and Sarah Ramsey miles1:48.43$400,000I2012DayatthespaJavier CastellanoChad C. BrownJerry & Ronald Frankel, Steve Laymon & Bradley Thoroughbreds miles1:48.99$400,000I2011Together (IRE)Colm O'DonoghueAidan P. O'BrienDerrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor miles1:48.83$400,000I2010HarmoniousJoel RosarioJohn ShirreffsMartin, Pam, & Emily Wygods miles1:49.14$400,000I2009Hot Cha ChaJames GrahamPhilip A. SimsNelson McMakin miles1:53.09$500,000I2008AlwajeehaJohn R. VelazquezKiaran P. McLaughlinShadwell Stable miles1:48.09$500,000I2007Bit of WhimsyJavier CastellanoBarclay TaggJoyce B. Young & Gerald McManis miles1:48.73$500,000I2006VacareChris M. BlockLothenbach Stables miles1:48.42$500,000I2005Sweet TalkerRafael BejaranoHelen Pitts-BlasiEliah & Lisa Kahn miles1:51.20$500,000I2004Ticker Tape (GB)Kent J. DesormeauxJames M. CassidyJim Ford, Deron Pearson & Jack Sweesy miles1:51.35$500,000I2003Film MakerEdgar S. PradoH. Graham MotionCourtlandt Farm miles1:47.82$500,000I2002RiskaverseMark GuidryPatrick J. Kelly Fox Ridge Farm (Peter G. Schiff) miles1:49.84$500,000I2001AffluentEddie DelahoussayeRon McAnallyJanis R. Whitham miles1:50.03$500,000I2000Collect the CashShane SellersJoe OrsenoStronach Stables miles1:47.94$500,000I1999Perfect StingPat DayJoe OrsenoStronach Stables miles1:50.66$500,000I1998TenskiRichard MiglioreLinda L. RiceRichard L. Golden miles1:48.54$400,000I1997RyafanAlex O. SolisJohn GosdenJuddmonte Farms miles1:46.64$400,000I1996Robbie DavisJames J. TonerJoan G. & John W. Phillips miles1:45.81$400,000I1995Perfect ArcJohn R. VelazquezAngel A. Penna Jr.Brazil Stables miles1:48.84$250,000I1994Danish (IRE)Julie KroneChristophe ClementHarry McCalmont miles1:49.89$200,000I1993TribulationJean-Luc SamynJames J. TonerJames W. Phillips & G. Arthur Seelbinder miles1:53.62$200,000I1992Captive MissJulie KronePhilip M. SerpeZeke Minassian miles1:48.66$200,000I1991La GueriereBrian Dale PeckA. Peter PerkinsWimborne Farm miles1:49.86$200,000I1990Plenty of GraceJerry D. BaileyJohn M. VeitchDarby Dan Farm miles1:51.40$100,000II1989CoolawinJose A. Velez Jr.Carl A. Nafzger James B. Tafel miles1:43.20$100,000II 1988Love You by HeartRandy RomeroJohn M. VeitchDarby Dan Farm miles1:44.80$100,000II 1987Graceful DarbyJerry D. BaileyJohn M. Veitch James W. Phillips miles1:47.20$100,000III 1986LotkaWalter GuerraWoodford C. StephensHenryk de Kwiatkowski miles1:50.00$100,000III 1985ContredanceEddie MapleHenryk de Kwiatkowski miles1:47.00$85,550 1984SintraKeith Allen Steven PenrodCherry Valley Farm miles1:43.40$106,625

Legend:

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

External links Ten Things You Should Know about the QEII Challenge Cup at Hello Race Fans!

References