The 2026 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup takes place Saturday, October 10 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The Grade I invitational for 3-year-old fillies is contested at 1 1/8 miles on turf and carries a $750,000 purse. The race is not a Breeders' Cup Win and You're In event, but its Grade I status and late-season position make it an important test for elite 3-year-old turf fillies.
| Date | Saturday, October 10, 2026 |
| Track | Keeneland Race Course |
| Race | 9 |
| Distance | 1 1/8 miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Grade | Grade I |
| Purse | $750,000 |
| Age | 3-year-old fillies, by invitation |
| Post Time | 5:16 PM ET |
Entry Update: The 2026 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup field is confirmed with 11 starters. Post positions, jockeys, trainers, and official morning-line odds are listed in the odds table below.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haute Diva | Keith Asmussen | Patrick Biancone | 30/1 |
| 2 | Luster | John Velazquez | Josie Carroll | 5/2 |
| 3 | Tam Tam | Junior Alvarado | Phil Bauer | 4/1 |
| 4 | Faithful Departed | Jose Ortiz | Grant Forster | 7/2 |
| 5 | Turner's Charm | Ben Curtis | Brendan Walsh | 20/1 |
| 6 | Braida (FR) | Vincent Cheminaud | Francis-Henri Graffard | 8/1 |
| 7 | Storm's Wake | Tyler Gaffalione | Brian Lynch | 10/1 |
| 8 | Lookin At Diamond | Julien Leparoux | Leonard Powell | 20/1 |
| 9 | Kensington Lane (IRE) | Joel Rosario | Phil D'Amato | 8/1 |
| 10 | Deep Learning | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown | 12/1 |
| 11 | Soloist | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Kenny McPeek | 20/1 |
Last Updated on 10/07/2026
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The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup brings together an international field of elite 3-year-old turf fillies in one of Keeneland's signature fall Grade I races. The 2026 edition drew 11 starters for the 1 1/8-mile turf test, with Canadian classic winner Luster installed as the 5/2 morning-line favorite.
Luster enters the race after defeating males in the King's Plate and also owns victories in the Woodbine Oaks and Selene Stakes. Faithful Departed is the 7/2 second choice, while Tam Tam is listed at 4/1. Braida adds international interest for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, while Chad Brown sends out Deep Learning.
With a $750,000 purse and a deep field of accomplished sophomore fillies, the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup offers bettors a competitive Grade I turf race late in the Keeneland Fall Meet.
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The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup was inaugurated in 1984 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Keeneland. The Queen attended the races and presented the trophy during her visit to Central Kentucky, and the race has since become one of the leading North American turf events for 3-year-old fillies.
The race received graded status in 1986 and has held Grade I status since 1991. Its winners include a long list of accomplished turf fillies, including Rushing Fall, Cambier Parc, Gina Romantica, Mawj and She Feels Pretty.
Lush Lips won the 2025 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup under jockey Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Brendan Walsh, completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.01.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lush Lips (GB) | Tyler Gaffalione | 1:48.01 |
| 2024 | She Feels Pretty | John Velazquez | 1:46.50 |
| 2023 | Mawj (IRE) | Oisin Murphy | 1:48.06 |
| 2022 | Gina Romantica | Flavien Prat | 1:48.20 |
| 2021 | Shantisara (IRE) | Flavien Prat | 1:48.86 |
The 2026 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is Race 9 at Keeneland with a scheduled post time of 5:16 PM ET.
The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is run at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is a Grade I race for 3-year-old fillies.
The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is contested at 1 1/8 miles on the Keeneland turf course.
The 2026 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup carries a $750,000 purse.
The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is an invitational race restricted to 3-year-old fillies. The 2026 starters are assigned 121 pounds.
The favorite for the 2026 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup can be identified in the latest odds table above.
The latest 2026 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated as race-day prices change.
No. The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is not a Breeders' Cup Win and You're In race, though it remains an important late-season Grade I turf race for 3-year-old fillies.
You can bet the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, select Keeneland, choose the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, and place your wager. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Lush Lips won the 2025 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup under jockey Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Brendan Walsh in 1:48.01.
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