After a two-year win drought, Stunning Rose returned to her best with a powerful performance in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Kyoto Racecourse on November 11.
Ridden by Cristian Demuro, the 5-year-old King Kamehameha mare was the third favorite going into the race at nearly 10-1, with Japanese fans favoring Regaleira, the 2-1 favorite. Despite her long horse racing odds and recent setbacks, Stunning Rose defied expectations to clinch the victory, setting a stakes record in the process.
A Strategic Ride Pays Off
Jockey Cristian Demuro, riding in Japan on a short-term license, approached the race with confidence and strategy. Breaking cleanly, Stunning Rose settled comfortably behind the leaders as they passed the grandstand and headed into Kyoto’s outer loop.
Demuro guided her toward the center of the track as they entered the stretch, where she displayed an impressive turn of foot to establish a daylight lead. Stunning Rose powered home to win by 2 lengths, with Ravel taking second and Wholeness finishing third.
Regaleira, the favorite, got off to a decent start and made progress along the inside, but jockey Christophe Lemaire encountered traffic in the final stages, leaving Regaleira in fifth place. Notably, Regaleira was the only 3-year-old in the field, facing seasoned older rivals in a competitive lineup.
Record-Breaking Performance
Stunning Rose completed the 2,200-meter (approximately 1 3/8 miles) race in 2:11.1, breaking a 23-year-old stakes record. Though her time was shy of the course record of 2:09.07, her performance was nonetheless remarkable, especially considering her absence from the top ranks over the past two years.
Demuro expressed his satisfaction with the win, noting that achieving a Grade 1 victory in Japan was especially meaningful after several near misses. His tactical approach proved effective, positioning Stunning Rose perfectly for her strong closing run.
A Comeback Story for Stunning Rose
Bred by Northern Farm and racing under the silks of Sunday Racing, Stunning Rose’s journey has been filled with ups and downs in the horse racing schedule.
She showed early promise as a 2-year-old but only began making a name for herself in 2022, with key performances including a second-place finish in the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) and a victory in the Shuka Sho (G1) in October. Her first attempt at the QE II Cup in 2022 ended in disappointment, finishing 14th on soft turf.
In 2023, tendonitis sidelined Stunning Rose, and her 2024 return initially appeared rocky with finishes outside the top three in the Osaka Hai (G1), Victoria Mile (G1), and Queen Stakes (G3) at Sapporo. However, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup showcased her resilience, marking an impressive return to form and highlighting her as a top contender in Japanese racing.
Demuro’s confident ride and Stunning Rose’s innate ability to accelerate in the stretch have once again positioned her as a horse to watch. With this record-setting victory, she has reclaimed her place among Japan’s elite mares, signaling a potential return to the spotlight in the coming season.
