Anticipation in the air from the crowd at Grandstand Level 1.
Inaugurated in 1972, the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Cup pays tribute to both the sport of horse racing and Singapore’s rich racing heritage.
The inaugural QEII Cup was held on 20 February 1972 during the late Queen Elizabeth II's first-ever state visit to Singapore, accompanied by the late Prince Philip and Princess Anne. Today, the race meeting is a historically significant feature race that celebrates the Club’s heritage as Singapore’s home of horse racing for over 180 years.
Crowd anticipation was palpable as the race marked the final lead-up to the Grand Singapore Gold Cup, the Club’s last race, set to take place on 5 October 2024.
Crowd with cameras ready to capture horses and jockeys crossing the winning post.
It was a thrilling test of the mettle of the best thoroughbreds where they raced over 1800m on turf at the Kranji Racecourse. Local champion Lim’s Kosciuszko emerged victorious with jockey Marc Lerner, securing the $300,000 prize purse. Stablemate Lim’s Saltoro placed third in the race. This makes for trainer Daniel Meagher’s first QEII Cup win.
The crowd streaming into the Club, with those who had secured free admission tickets forming a line from early morning.
Some 5,500 racegoers attended the final QEII Cup meeting. The Club offered complimentary admission tickets as a gesture of gratitude, following overwhelming public interest in the final Singapore Derby race meeting. It was a grand racing affair, where the thrills of the tracks met the fashionable styles of the spectators, marking a momentous meeting as the Club approaches the homestretch of its racing history.
Visitors stopping at the Heritage Walk to take in the key milestones of QEII Cup history.
A Heritage Walk was developed prior to the race. Featuring bilingual display panels along the walkways leading to the Grandstand, it highlights key milestones of the QEII Cup with its legendary owners, trainers, jockeys and horses, tracing its origins from Queen Elizabeth II’s first state visit to Singapore in 1972. Her second visit in 2006, 34 years later, further cemented the Cup’s significance and her enduring relationship with Singapore.
Her Majesty's second visit to Singapore Turf Club in 2006, where she presented the QEII Cup trophy
to winning jockey Richard Lim, with the aptly-named horse, King And King.
It was a fine, temperate day with great racing conditions. Witnessing the excitement of the QEII Cup, Samiah Bte Hassan, 61, who has worked at the Singapore Turf Club (STC) for 34 years, was filled with nostalgia. “In 1972, I was only a child when I caught a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth II when she visited the equine pool at Bukit Timah Racecourse. The first QEII Cup meeting I attended was in 2006,” she said, adding that the most memorable part of the races was “the winning, the crowds, the cheering.”
Samiah Bte Hassan, who has worked at STC for 34 years, at the final QEII Cup meeting.
Similarly, Teo Yam Choon, 63, a longtime employee of STC in the department of Property and Facilities, said: “I recall 2006 as one of the most memorable times in my career, as it was the only race graced by Her Majesty. My department oversaw the preparation of the powder room for her."
Teo Yam Choon, a longtime employee of STC, at the final QEII Cup meeting.
Samiah Bte Hassan and Teo Yam Choon looking out onto Kranji Racecourse.
The coveted QEII Cup trophies for the winning connections.
The horses and their jockeys make their way along the horse walk toward the starting gate.
Excitement hits full throttle as the horses race.
The winners – jockey Marc Lerner atop Lim’s Kosciuszko – charging across the winning post!
Guests dressed in their race day best, posing at the Parade Ring.
Visitors at the Grandstand Level 3 Trophy Lounge against a backdrop of the panoramic view of the races.
The winning connections are all smiles as they pose at the winner stall with Lim’s Kosciuszko.
The winning connections owner Lim Siah Mong, trainer Daniel Meagher, and jockey Marc Lerner holding with their QEII Cup trophies.
Experience the thrill all over again by watching the post-race highlights video here.
Join the excitement and keep a lookout for Singapore Turf Club’s final race, the Grand Singapore Gold Cup, happening 5 October 2024.
