Regaleira Back on Top in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Now Sets Her Sights on the Arima Kinen
- Turf Diario
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
She defeated Paradis Reine by 1 3/4 lengths on the Kyoto turf and now owns three G1 victories in what has become an exceptional career
KYOTO, Japan (Special for Turf Diario)—A year after her coronation in the G1 Arima Kinen, the exceptional Regaleira returned to winning form on Sunday, imposing her authority in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, run over 2200 meters on the Kyoto turf. The overwhelming favorite, the daughter of Suave Richard delivered with absolute conviction, securing the third G1 victory of her outstanding career.
Trained by Tetsuya Kimura for Sunday Racing, Regaleira was settled by Keita Tosaki in midpack, racing wide and relaxed through the early stages while Erika Express (Epiphaneia) set a clear pace up front. Turning for home in a field of 16, the favorite still had several lengths to make up.
The first to threaten the pacesetter was Paradis Reine (Kizuna), third in the G1 Shuka Sho and once again a major player as she attacked Erika Express inside the final 400 meters. But while that duel unfolded along the fence, Regaleira was gathering steam on the outside—her stride lengthening, her momentum irresistible.
Tosaki asked her for everything approaching the final 50 meters, and the response was pure class. Regaleira swept past without resistance, drawing clear to win by 1 3/4 lengths and setting a new race record for this version of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, contested at this distance since 1996. Paradis Reine stayed on bravely for second as the top finisher among the 3-year-old fillies, while Lilac (Orfevre) finished third, just a head in front of Lynx Tip (Kitasan Black).
“I’m truly delighted to win again with Regaleira,” Tosaki said afterward. “I felt how good she was as soon as I got on her. She was relaxed in the preliminaries and broke very well. The inside of the track wasn’t in great shape, so I kept her wide. In the stretch she responded magnificently. I’m convinced she still has more to show.”
All signs now point to another run in the G1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama on December 28, where she will attempt to become the first back-to-back winner since Symboli Kris S (Kris S) in 2002–03. Last year, Regaleira entered the history books as the first filly in 64 years to win Japan’s most beloved race.
A G1 winner at 2, 3, and now 4, including the G1 Hopeful Stakes as a juvenile, her return in 2025 had been delayed by injury. But her victory in September’s G2 Sankei Sho All Comers hinted strongly at what she reaffirmed on Sunday: the champion is back—and at full strength.
