Group One , Group 1 , Grade I or G1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. In Europe, the level of races for Thoroughbred racing is determined using the Pattern race system introduced in 1971 and monitored by the European Pattern Committee. To attain or maintain a Group One status, the average rating for the first four finishers in the race must be 115 or higher over a three-year period. The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities works to ensure consistent international standards. Group One races may only be restricted to age groups or a stipulated sex: they should not be restricted to horses bred in a certain country (though there are regional exceptions to this rule). Group One (G1) races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia, but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply.
5-671: The Queen Elizabeth II Cup is a Group One Thoroughbred horse race at Sha Tin Racecourse in the New Territories , Hong Kong. Established in 1975 by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club , it is run annually in April at a distance of 2,000 metres (ten furlongs ) on turf . Prior to 1997 it was run at 2,200 metres (eleven furlongs). Sponsored by Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet since 1999, it currently offers
10-605: A purse of HK $ 20 million (US$ 2.6 million)since 2014/15. The Queen Elizabeth II Cup was first run at the Happy Valley Racecourse in Happy Valley, Hong Kong to commemorate a visit to Hong Kong by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. It was a local Class 1 or 2 race over a distance between 1,400 and 1,800 metres until 1995 when it opened to international entries. Since then, Hong Kong horses have been competing against those from
15-529: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Group One In the United States , Canada , Japan , South Africa , and British National Hunt racing " Grade I " is used instead; see List of British flat horse races . Race grading was introduced in North America in 1974. These races, whether designated as "Group One" or "Grade I", are of international importance and attract
20-851: The United Arab Emirates , the United Kingdom, France, Japan and Australia. Since becoming a Group One race in 2001, every winner of the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup has been a descendant of Northern Dancer . The 2006 race saw Irridescence upset the great filly and European Horse of the Year , Ouija Board . The Queen Elizabeth II Cup has been sponsored by the Swiss haute horlogerie brand Audemars Piguet for around 17 years now, they continue to make special edition pieces (mostly based on
25-646: The Royal Oak) to celebrate their sponsorship of the event. They join companies such as Omega SA , Rolex and Longines as one of the official sports event partners that provide both sponsorship and race timers. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, no overseas horses entered the race in 2020 and this international Group 1 event became a local race. This article about sports in Hong Kong is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This horse race article
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