Track Notes
Course Summary
Right-handed outer 2200m course with Kyoto’s wide bends, Yodo Hill climb and descent, and a flat 403.7m finishing stretch. The route favors runners that can use downhill momentum before the final straight.
Fun Facts
• Originally called the Victoria Cup, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup was renamed in 1975 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Japan.
• Mejiro Dober won back-to-back Queen Elizabeth II Cups here in 1997 and 1998.
• Mejiro Ramonu is the only racehorse to win the Triple Tiara with the Queen Elizabeth II Cup as the third leg.
• The Queen Elizabeth II Cup is the only JRA Grade 1 race restricted to fillies and mares aged three or older.
• Kyoto Kinen is a popular prep race for the Spring Tenno Sho. Takeshiba O, Ten Point, Biwa Hayahide, and T. M. Opera O won both the Kyoto Kinen and the Tenno Sho.
• The Kyoto Shimbun Hai serves as a trial race for the Tokyo Yushun, also known as the Japanese Derby. It was run over a variety of distances in its early history before settling on its current 2200m distance.
• Mejiro Dober won back-to-back Queen Elizabeth II Cups here in 1997 and 1998.
• Mejiro Ramonu is the only racehorse to win the Triple Tiara with the Queen Elizabeth II Cup as the third leg.
• The Queen Elizabeth II Cup is the only JRA Grade 1 race restricted to fillies and mares aged three or older.
• Kyoto Kinen is a popular prep race for the Spring Tenno Sho. Takeshiba O, Ten Point, Biwa Hayahide, and T. M. Opera O won both the Kyoto Kinen and the Tenno Sho.
• The Kyoto Shimbun Hai serves as a trial race for the Tokyo Yushun, also known as the Japanese Derby. It was run over a variety of distances in its early history before settling on its current 2200m distance.
