The 16th November meeting at KYOTO plays out over 12 races from 10:00 to 16:25, but everything builds toward one standout event: THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP (G1), a race worth 252,980,000 Yen and the 11th on the card. This edition marks the 50th running of the race, which stands as the first leg of the Japan Autumn International Series. With a field of fillies and mares aged 3 and above, many entrants boasting Grade 1 or near-top form, and key statistics showing that 4-year-olds and horses trained at the nearby Ritto Training Center have dominated recent years, the stage is set for a truly compelling showdown.
Highlights of the Day
- Historic milestone race: The 50th running of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup anchors the afternoon, underscoring its status in Japan’s racing calendar.
- Proven elite contender – Regaleira: A former Arima Kinen winner against males, physical preparation reported as strong, and trainer/rider confident she’s primed for this all-female Grade 1.
- Young gun with pace – Erika Express: A 3-year-old who nearly took the Shuka Sho, has good Kyoto form and is partnered by legendary jockey Yutaka Take in pursuit of his 85th Grade 1 win.
- Older mare stepping up – Coconuts Brown: After a strong second in the Sapporo Kinen, she returns refreshed and mature, presenting as a dark horse with traction if all goes right.
- Tactical angle – age and training centre advantage: 4-year-olds have six wins in the last ten editions; horses trained at Ritto dominate — links to shorter travel and better acclimation.
KYOTO RACE 1 (10:00, 1400 metres)
The opening race of the day sets a gentle but engaging tone, giving the maidens a clean stage to show who’s ready to turn raw promise into real progress. A SHIN BILLION, ARGYLE SHORE and DANCING DOLL look sharp enough to push the early tempo, while PENDANT, RESTER DANSLE VENT and STELLA SORELLA may grow into the race once they find their rhythm. It’s the kind of opener that helps shape expectations for the undercard and hints at how the track might play through the afternoon. Prize money: 10,600,000 Yen
KYOTO RACE 2 (10:30, 1200 metres)
The second race brings another maiden test, but with a slightly more competitive edge as newcomers and lightly raced types try to put their form in order. BULLETTY LADY, CARIBBEAN DANCER and DEAR NATAKOSU have enough early spark to make their presence felt, yet KANEKOME BRIGHT, LALA CLAIR DE LUNE and SEEKING THE BIRTH loom just behind them if the pace stretches out late. This one carries a quiet sense of possibility and keeps the early momentum of the meeting rolling. Prize money: 10,600,000 Yen
KYOTO RACE 3 (11:00, 1600 metres)
The third maiden contest offers one more chance for developing runners to step forward, and the field looks well-matched on paper. A SHIN TEASER, MEIKEI SHINE and MEISHO SHOKATSU should be quick enough to claim a handy position, though NAMURA RODIN, PEACH AVALANCHE and SAIMON CHARIOT look dangerous if they settle early and produce their finish at the right moment. The race rounds off the maiden block with an open feel that could easily spring the first surprise of the day. Prize money: 10,600,000 Yen
KYOTO RACE 4 (11:30, 1800 metres)
Moving into the non-winner’s category lifts the quality a notch, and the fourth race gathers horses who’ve already shown glimpses of reliability. AMERICAN ISM, COSMO TUXEDO and ENCORE AGAIN bring the kind of consistent figures that hold weight in this class, while KUNG FU JON, LE LIEN REVE and MERCANTOUR might tighten late if they secure smooth passage around the turn. There’s a more strategic tone here, with small decisions likely to decide big outcomes. Prize money: 14,250,000 Yen
KYOTO RACE 5 (12:20, 2000 metres)
The fifth race continues in the non-winner’s bracket, attracting runners who’ve been knocking on the door for some time. EKVATOR, FIORE CLOUD and FOUR C FINE carry enough recent improvement to draw attention, but HAKUAI NOIR, JUN PRIMERO and LONG TALL SALLY could be the one to stretch the field if the race unfolds to their liking. It’s a contest built on timing and track sense, giving jockeys a strong hand in how the result shapes up. Prize money: 14,250,000 Yen
KYOTO RACE 6 (12:55, 1200 metres)
The move into allowance company sharpens the competition, and race six gather horses who’ve already proven they can handle deeper waters. BACHALPSEE, DEA DEL MARE and FENICE D’ORO may dictate the flow with early control, yet MAPLE GANG, MEISHO INUWASHI and ONE WAY TO HELL are well placed to deliver a late challenge if the tempo turns demanding. This marks the point where the day starts to settle into its true rhythm. Prize money: 15,200,000 Yen
KYOTO RACE 7 (13:25, 1800 metres)
The seventh race expands the allowance level further, featuring runners with both form and experience behind them. FLORAL SCENT, GOLDEN CLOUD and MEISHO GEMMA have the kind of base to assert themselves midway, while MEISHO KASHIWADE, TAMAMO CALICOT and WONDER BULLET carry enough finishing strength to threaten once the field straightens. It’s a balanced mid-card event that could reshuffle expectations moving toward the later races. Prize money: 21,740,000 Yen
KYOTO RACE 8 (13:55, 1400 metres)
Allowance runners return again in race eight, creating another layered contest where tactical awareness matters as much as raw ability. CARAVAGGISTI, DANON KILAUEA and HOLY BLOSSOM stand out for their consistency and will likely be prominent throughout, but ON THE BLUE SKY, RONDE BOSSE and YELL TO HEAVEN bring an element of uncertainty that could ignite the closing stages. As the tension of the day builds, this race helps set the tone for the final stretch. Prize money: 21,740,000 Yen
KIGIKU SHO (14:25, 2000 metres)
Race nine widens the allowance field with horses trending upward in form, making it an appealing contest for momentum seekers. CENTRE DE PARIS, DARK MARS and JUST BEAT look ready to build on their recent progress, while NOCHE CERRADA, SARDINE RUN and THUNDERSTRUCK hover patiently for the chance to strike if the pace turns favourable. It’s a race that rewards calm riding and a well-timed move. Prize money: 21,110,000 Yen
AMANOHASHIDATE STAKES (15:00, 1800 metres)
The tenth race acts as the final lead-in to the main event, bringing together seasoned allowance runners who know their way around Kyoto. ASK DEBUT MORE, COSMO GIN BUCK and HIRUNO HAMBURG may try to command things early to avoid traffic, whereas QUANTUM WAVE, SUNRISE GROOVE and TRIPOLITANIA could wait for the home turn before asking for their full run. It adds a sense of rising anticipation before the great race arrives. Prize money: 35,040,000 Yen
THE QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 CUP(G1) (15:40, 2200 metres)
The headline race of the afternoon arrives with the weight of history and the excitement of high-stakes racing, as the best fillies and mares of Japan line up for the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. STELLENBOSCH, ERIKA EXPRESS and VERMICELLES enter with the depth of form that commands serious respect, but SEKITOBA EAST, REGALEIRA, COCONUTS BROWN and KELLY FLED ASK remain major threats if the race evolves in their favour. With a prestigious purse and the first leg of the Autumn International Series on the line, this contest stands as the emotional and competitive peak of the entire programme. Prize money: 252,980,000 Yen
DONCASTER CUP (16:25, 1800 metres)
The day closes with one final allowance contest, offering a last chance for runners to round off the meeting with authority. MEINER OCEAN, NAMURA HOOKER and RICKENBACKER appear well placed to make a statement at the finish, yet SEVEN MAGICIAN, SHONAN RAPIDUS and WIDE ALADDIN could lift the energy of the finale if they produce their late burst at the perfect time. It’s a tidy way to wrap up the card after a long afternoon of rising storylines. Prize money: 35,040,000 Yen
Across the afternoon, Kyoto’s twelve-race programme unfolds in long, steady waves from 10:00 to 16:25, giving the meeting a rhythm that never quite settles before lifting again. The maidens set the pulse early, the allowance races deepen the texture in the middle, and every result seems to pull the spotlight a little closer to the feature. By the time the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) arrives as Race 11, the entire card feels like it has been quietly building toward that moment — a field of elite fillies and mares stepping into a race rich with history, pattern and possibility. And even once the champion of the day is crowned, the final race keeps the energy alive just long enough to ease the meeting into a satisfying finish, leaving enough talking points to carry all the way into the next Japanese weekend.
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