2025 Queen Elizabeth II Cup: Group 1 Review
Venue: Kyoto Racecourse
Distance: 2200m
Value: ¥283,100,000 (US$1,804,000)
A year after disappointment at the same venue, Regaleira returned to Kyoto and produced the most complete performance of her career, storming home from midfield to take Japan’s premier fillies-and-mares feature in 2:11.0 – the fastest in the race’s 50-year history.
Runner-up Paradis Reine and fast-finishing outsider Lilac completed a trifecta dominated by fast closers, while several of the more fancied runners from the classic generation were left to chase.
The win delivered a third career Group 1 for Regaleira following her 2023 Hopeful Stakes and 2024 Arima Kinen triumphs.
Regaleira was off the scene for nearly six months after the Arima Kinen win after having bone chips removed and trainer Tetsuya Kimura has done a tremendous job to have his filly winning at the top level again.
The Winner
Regaleira was sent out favourite and she justified that confidence.
The daughter of Suave Richard settled wide in 10th or 11th early, avoided the deteriorated inside ground and produced the joint-fastest final 600m of the race to score by one and three-quarter lengths.
Her victory marks a full-circle return after a chip fracture curtailed the early part of her four-year-old campaign. Although she struggled in the Takarazuka Kinen earlier this year, her All Comers win in September signalled she had rediscovered her peak – a message she confirmed emphatically on Sunday.
“She showed off her inherent strength in the Hopeful Stakes, so I ride her every time believing in that,” jockey Keita Tosaki said. “In that regard, there are definitely areas where she has matured properly, and I think she will continue to entertain us in the future. Physically, I think there are parts of her that have become more solid.”
Tosaki said Regaleira still showed some “filly-like” traits but credited the stable with her overall development.
“Mentally, it changes a bit depending on the time and the day,” However, her rideability once the race starts is this horse’s strength. I was out for a while due to injury, which really wasn’t great, but since then, both the horse and the staff have rebuilt things properly. I am deeply moved to be able to produce results on a stage like this.”
The Jockey
Keita Tosaki has enjoyed many Group 1 successes, but this one carried particular weight: his first top-level win since partnering Regaleira to Arima Kinen glory last December. Sunday’s emphatic win was his 14th JRA Group 1 victory.
Tosaki showed confidence and composure, keeping Regaleira balanced throughout the mid-race stages and avoiding traffic problems on a day when the inside was churned up and slow.
“The condition of the inner track wasn’t very good, so I made sure that we didn’t get stuck there,” Tosaki said. “She responded well at the stretch. I’m confident that she’ll do even better from here.”
REGALEIRA, KEITA TOSAKI / G1 Queen Elizabeth Cup II // Kyoto Racecourse /// 2025 //// Photo by Shuhei Okada
The Trainer
Tetsuya Kimura continues to prove he is no ‘one horse wonder’.
It was Kimura’s 14th JRA Group 1 win but five of those had been with one horse.
The man who prepared Equinox throughout his stunning career has produced an effort that was far from straightforward.
Not only has he nursed Regaleira back from surgery he has patiently worked to overcome her pre-race nerves – particularly as they relate to the tense moments in the barriers before the start. The work at Miho training Center and an unconventional approach to have the filly loaded and then re-loaded before the race paid off. Regaleira is now a Group 1 winner at two, three and four.
The Beaten Brigade
Three-year-old Paradis Reine delivered a breakout performance in second, saving ground from barrier one, striking the lead 200m out and staying on strongly. She simply couldn’t withstand Regaleira’s elite closing speed. A top-level win looks within reach.
Six-year-old longshot Lilac finished with the equal-fastest final split in the field. Her late burst has raised hopes of an invitation to December’s Hong Kong International Races, something trainer Ikuo Aizawa hinted at post-race.
Lynx Tip tracked the speed, loomed large, but was swamped late. Still a highly credible run from a progressive filly. Coconuts Brown was fifth, she raced wide after a slow start and closed well.
Stellenbosch continued her poor run of form. Last year’s Oka Sho winner never travelled fluently and lacked her usual late kick – she is still to regain that lost spark.
The Quote
Keita Tosaki (jockey, Regaleira, 1st): “For me personally, I am glad I was able to live up to the popularity today. I rode Regaleira believing she was truly strong, and she won with a magnificent run, so thank you for your support. I think she will continue to show us great performances in the future, so please continue to support her.”
The Future
Regaleira is now perfectly poised to defend her G1 Arima Kinen crown on December 28 – a target confirmed by Kimura and Tosaki pre-race and further strengthened by Sunday’s electric performance.
An international assignment isn’t impossible beyond that, but connections will prioritise her limited remaining time in training.Meanwhile Lilac’s late charge has the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s selection committee on alert; the fields for the Hong Kong International Races will be revealed on Wednesday, November 26. ∎
RACE REPLAY: 2025 QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP
G1 Review
Lemaire Wins Sixth Tenno Sho Autumn Aboard Masquerade Ball
Andrew Hawkins
Regaleira Denies Shahryar Fairytale In Arima Kinen
AloJapan.com