Cambier Parc Wins Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

Even at a cost of $1.25 million as a yearling, Cambier Parc continues to prove her purchase price was money well spent. On Oct. 12 at Keeneland, she won her second consecutive top-level race, taking the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes Presented by Lane's End (G1T) by a length over French invader Castle Lady.

The victory came in contrasting style to the Medaglia d'Oro  filly's previous score in the Del Mar Oaks Presented by The Jockey Club (G1T), when she rallied from seventh. With trainer Chad Brown and Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez sensing an absence of speed in the eight-horse lineup, she was allowed to show more quickness to gain position, and the strategy worked.

After a moderate opening quarter in :23.70 in the 1 1/8-mile turf race, Cambier Parc was able to slow the tempo, covering a half-mile in :49.18 and six furlongs in 1:14.41. This left her with the necessary reserves to put away pace-pressing Magnetic Charm leaving the second turn and repel a stern stretch bid from Castle Lady.

"I had to keep reminding her to keep running," said Velazquez, now a five-time QEII winner. "I didn't want to get surprised by another horse on the outside."

The 3-year-old finished in 1:49.54 on a firm turf course. She paid $5.60 as the favorite.

Cambier Parc was a pricey yearling for multiple reasons, possessing attractive looks to go with an accomplished pedigree. Bred in Kentucky by Bonne Chance Farm, she is out of 2007 Canadian Horse of the Year and Triple Tiara winner Sealy Hill, who also has produced Canadian champion sprinter and grade 2 winner Hillaby and grade 3 winners Belle Hill and Gale Force.

Owner Larry Best of OXO Equine purchased Cambier Parc from the Gainesway consignment at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2017. She has made $797,460 with a 5-0-1 record from eight starts.

"I appreciate Larry Best giving me the opportunity with this horse," Brown said. "She's a really well-bred, great-looking horse that anyone would love to have. I'm lucky to have her."

Brown plans to consult with Best regarding racing plans but suggested they might look forward to next year rather than more racing this year with her at 3. "She's got all the earmarks of a horse that's going to have a great career at 4 and 5," he said.

Saturday's win was the third in the QEII for Brown, who won it in 2012 with Dayatthespa and last year with Rushing Fall.

Castle Lady, winner of the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas, G1) this year, appeared a threat to Cambier Parc in early stretch. Though she finished well, she proved unable to gain enough on the winner after she finished her final three furlongs in :35.13.

"She just got beat by better today," said her jockey, Mickael Barzalona.

Princesa Carolina raced evenly to be third, 1 3/4 lengths behind the runner-up. Cafe Americano was fourth.

Failing to deliver Saturday was Magnetic Charm, owned by Queen Elizabeth II. She weakened to eighth, an unpopular result among the on-track crowd of 24,133, some of whom were rooting for the queen to win the race named in her honor.

Video: Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. presented by Lane's End (G1T)

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