British Deputy High Commission Hosts Queen Elizabeth II – Memorial Cup Reception

Joydip Sur

The British Deputy High Commission Kolkata organised the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Cup reception at Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC) on Friday February 9, 2024. The Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Cup horse race took place at RCTC on Saturday, February 10, 2024.

Up until 2020 the reception was an annual fixture hosted by British Deputy High Commission Kolkata ahead of the formally named Queen Elizabeth II horse race. The new name for the race was adopted following Her Majesty’s death in September 2022. The pre-reception was the first since the pandemic.

Dr. Andrew Fleming, Deputy High Commissioner to East and Northeast India hosted the reception in the presence of Mr. Sudipto Sarkar, Chairman, RCTC. Mr. Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia & the British Deputy High Commissioner to Western India accompanied him.

Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East & Northeast India said: “This is truly a remarkable race now fitted to our former Monarch who so very much-loved horses. I am thrilled my friend, Mr. Kang could witness it. The reception was made possible thanks to our generous sponsors & partnership with RCTC.”

RCTC has been hosting the Queen Elizabeth II Cup race since 1953. The Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Cup race was the longest race of the day at 2800 metres. Dr. Fleming handed over the QE II Memorial Cup 2024 to the winner Aashay Doctor who represented the trainer Arti Doctor. Jockey Yash Narredu rode the Winning Horse No.1 – Third Avenue.

The QEM II cup reception on February 9 was supported by Truefitt and Hill, Shrachi, British Council, Merlin Group, Vikram Solar, Caldera, Pernod Ricard, Karma Kettle, Snap E Cabs and Jio BP.