9 st 0 lb (4yo); 9 st 2 lb (5yo+) Allowances 5 lb for fillies and mares Penalties 5 lb for each Class 1 win * 3 lb for each Class 2 / 3 win * * since 19 June last year excluding handicap races (cumulative to max. of 10lb)
The Queen Alexandra Stakes is a flathorse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot each June over a distance of 2 miles, 5 furlongs and 143 yards (4355 metres). The longest flat race in the United Kingdom, it was once the longest professional flat race in the world, before being usurped by the 4,600-metre Jericho Cup at Warrnambool in Australia.
History
The event is named after Alexandra of Denmark. It was established in 1864, and it was originally called the Alexandra Plate. It later became known as the Alexandra Stakes, and it was given its current title in 1931. It was formerly contested over 2 miles, 6 furlongs and 34 yards, but it was shortened as a result of the realignment of Ascot's track in 2005.
The Queen Alexandra Stakes is traditionally the last race on the final day of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting. It sometimes features horses which ran on the opening day in the Ascot Stakes, and the most recent to win both in the same year was Simenon in 2012.
It is Britain's longest professional flat race, with a distance 21 yards longer than that of the Pontefract Marathon Handicap at Pontefract. The extreme length can attract a varied field, and it often includes horses from hurdle racing.[1]
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