William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm has entered into a multi-year agreement with Keeneland to become the signature sponsor of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (gr. IT).
The invitational for 3-year-old fillies on the turf, to be held Oct. 11, will see a purse increase from $400,000 to $500,000.
Keeneland plans to provide a shipping allowance to the connections of Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup invitees.
Inaugurated on Oct. 11, 1984, the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup was created in honor of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who attended the races at Keeneland that day and presented the trophy during her private visit to Central Kentucky.
"This is a perfect partnership for Lane's End," Farish, a former U.S. ambassador to the Court of St. James who has hosted Queen Elizabeth II at Lane's End, said in a release. "It's wonderful for us to have the opportunity to be part of the tradition behind this incredible race, which is held at one of America's great sporting facilities, Keeneland."
Held at 1 1/8 miles, the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup annually attracts many top grass fillies and has been won by champion Perfect Sting, as well as multiple grade/group I winners Harmonious, Ticker Tape, Riskaverse, Affluent, Ryafan, Memories of Silver, Plenty of Grace, and Lotka.
"The worldwide respect of Lane's End coupled with the exceptional racing history of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup makes for an exciting future for this race," said Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason. "Our goal is to attract even more international competitors to this race. This has been a race of great importance but will even be more enhanced through our partnership with Lane's End."
"Our hope is to reinvigorate all that surrounds this incredible race," Farish said. "It is an event truly worthy of its namesake. "
Kitten's Dumplings won the 2013 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup.
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