The partnership framework between the Australian Turf Club (ATC) and QIPCO British Champions Day has been extended, and as part of this initiative, the respective trophies commemorating the late Queen Elizabeth II will be displayed internationally.
Every April, the ATC stages the A$5-million G1 Queen Elizabeth S. at Royal Randwick, while in October, Ascot Racecourse runs the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on QIPCO British Champions Day. The latter is set for Saturday, Oct. 21. The Randwick trophy will be part of the Hall of Fame exhibition in the main grandstand that day. In 2021, Queen Elizabeth II was the first to be inducted into the Special Contributor category of the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame. The trophies for the respective races will be on display at each racecourse. The ATC and QIPCO British Champions Series, Ltd., operators of British Champions Day, will each make special presentations to the connections of the winners at the forthcoming renewals.
Newmarket trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand have won three of the last four renewals of the Queen Elizabeth S. at Randwick with Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) (2023), and with Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) (2020 & 2021). The latter also won the G1 QIPCO Champion S., the feature race on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot.
Chief Executive of the QIPCO British Champions Series, Rod Street said, “QIPCO British Champions Day will be proud to exhibit the Queen Elizabeth S. Trophy, kindly lent by the Australian Turf Club.
“Queen Elizabeth II's lifelong passion for racing created widespread interest and global investment in the sport. That there are so many prestigious races named after her internationally is testament to her patronage of the sport throughout her life.”
Australian Turf Club Chairman, Peter McGauran, said “Royal Randwick remains the only racecourse in the world outside of Royal Windsor Racecourse to carry the great honour of bearing the Royal name.
“We are delighted to further strengthen that link with British Champions Series, Ascot Racecourse and our own Queen Elizabeth S. as one of Australia's most significant and highest rating races year after year.”
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