Sipping History and Pageant Queen enter the Victorian Queen Stakes era

TORONTO, September 12, 2025 – Sipping History, a daughter of Old Forester out of the Best of the Bests (IRE) mare Lovely Cersei, steps up to the stakes ranks in Sunday’s $100,000 Victorian Queen at Woodbine.

An inner turf test for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies, the Victorian Queen is part of a 10-race card that also includes the running of the colt and gelding companion Bull Page.

Trained by Jamie Begg for Windways Farm and Upland Flats Racing, Sipping History heads into Sunday’s engagement off a smart maiden-breaking score on August 2 at Woodbine.

Sent on her way as the 2-1 choice in the five-furlong sprint over the main track, the chestnut filly tracked the pacesetter in the early going before closing the gap with five sixteenths to run. A half-length clear at the stretch call, Sipping History went on to record a 3 ½-length triumph in :58.49.

“We figured out something ahead of her last start,” said Begg. “We put a drop noseband on her and that gives the jockey a little more control with her – that was very helpful. I think it was the reason we were able to rate her last time. She is naturally fast, but she is one of the horses where if you don’t ration her speed, she will burn out.

“The original plan was that we were going to potentially put her away after that last race if she were to hold on and win. But when she won going away, rated in behind the speed and the way she did it – we felt like she had a little more to give rather than just being a speed horse.”

Bred in Ontario by Kathy Biers & Northern Dawn Stables Inc., Sipping History debuted with a runner-up effort at 4 ½ furlongs over the Woodbine main track on May 11.

“She missed the break and was second best that day against the boys,” said Begg. “The winner (Victoria Stakes winner) Casson has turned out to be pretty nice.”

Second, by a neck, in her second start, a five-furlong main track maiden special weight race, Sipping History took to the grass for her next engagement.

“The filly (Border Czar) who won that day has turned out to be a nice horse, too,” noted Begg.

Bumped at the start of the six-panel race on the E.P. Taylor turf, Sipping History finished fifth, 3 ¾ lengths behind the winner.

“She is a little bit better of a mover on grass,” said Begg, who has already established a career-best mark in purse earnings ($575,501) and is two wins (currently, 13) away from setting a new personal-best standard. “I honestly thought that race was a little better than she showed – she got squeezed a little bit and had a rough trip. I think she ran well in that race, which gave us confidence heading into her most recent race.”

Sipping History, who has $68,479 in purse earnings, was a $45,000 (CDN) purchased at the 2024 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale. ​ ​ ​ ​

Pageant Queen, also owned by Windways Farm and Upland Flats Racing, will make her third straight stakes appearance.

Bred in Ontario by Anthony B. Russo and Leslie L. Russo, the daughter of Point of Entry out of the Sun King mare Queen Ofthe Dawn was second in the Muskoka Stakes, for 2-year-old fillies, foaled in Canada, contested at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track, on August 24.

“The track was playing to speed that day,” recalled Begg. “The pace dynamic went out the window that day when Sipping History was scratched at the gate. If her and the other filly (winner, Souper Diva) had gone head-to-head early, there is a chance that Pageant Queen could have beaten them both. It was disappointing, but you just have to regroup.”

One race earlier, on July 12, the chestnut was a closing third in the My Dear Stakes, at 5 ½ panels on the Woodbine main track.

“I do believe Pageant Queen is a come-from-off-the-pace horse.”

Pageant Queen arrived at the My Dear off an impressive 2 ½-length score over the same ground and distance in her career bow on June 21 at Woodbine.

Ignored on the tote board at 19-1, she dueled three-deep at the outset before taking the lead ahead of the half. Passed briefly at the quarter pole, she rebid in the two-path in early stretch and then pulled away for the milestone victory in 1:05.37.

“I wasn’t surprised she won, but I was surprised at the 19-1,” said Begg. “On paper, before the race, it looked like a tough one, but she had come into it working well.”

Begg, who won his first stakes race with Greavette in the 2023 edition of the Finest City at Presque Isle Downs, has high praise for two fillies with very different running styles and mindsets.

“They are both chestnuts, so that is the one and only similarity,” quipped Begg. “Sipping History is a pistol around the barn and as we saw in the gate ahead of the Muskoka, she doesn’t have a lot of patience. It’s about harnessing her speed with her and with Pageant Queen, it is about keeping after her to unlock her potential. She is very laid-back.

“But it will be interesting to see them in the same race. Both are very nice fillies and we’re looking forward to this one.”

Pageant Queen was a $35,000 (CDN) purchase at the 2024 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale.

Kris Pion is the groom of Pageant Queen and Courtney Baker is the groom of Sipping History.

Six hopefuls will vie for top prize in the Bull Page.

Trainer Bill Tharrenos sends out the trio of Bank On Big Winner, Silver Is Best, and Simcoe Stakes winner Big Bold and First. King Ronin, bred and owned Erika Smilovsky and Darwin Banach, and first-time starters B the King and Firstgeneral Nikao complete the field.

Trainer Ralph Biamonte has won four editions of the race, including three consecutive victories from 2011-13. Trainer Kevin Attard has won the last two editions, in 2023 with Zippy Gizmo and last year with Dewolf.

First race post time on Sunday is set for 1:05 p.m. Fans can wager on all the action via HPIbet.com and bet365.com.

The wagering menu for the Victorian Queen includes Rolling Double, Exacta, 0.20 Trifecta, 0.20 Superfecta, 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 7-8-9), 0.20 Pick 4 (Races 7-8-9-10), $1 Swinger.

The wagering menu for the Bull Page includes Rolling Double, Exacta, 0.20 Trifecta, 0.20 Superfecta, 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 8-9-10), $1 Swinger.

Field for the $100,000 Victorian Queen – Race 7

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Perfect Sparkle – Keveh Nicholls – Keith Edwards

2 – Cayenne Kiss – Pietro Moran – Bill Tharrenos

3 – Souper Diva – Jose Campos – Steven Chircop

4 – Deanna – Fraser Aebly – Peter Berringer

5 – Sipping History – Sahin Civaci – Jamie Begg

6 – Arianna’s Tour – Ryan Munger – Krista Cole

7 – Pageant Queen – Rafael Hernandez – Jamie Begg

Field for the $100,000 Bull Page – Race 8

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Bank On Big Winner – Sahin Civaci – Bill Tharrenos

2 – Silver Is Best – David Moran – Bill Tharrenos

3 – King Ronin – Fraser Aebly – Darwin Banach

4 – Big Bold and First – Jose Campos – Bill Tharrenos

5 – B the King – Ryan Munger – Julia Carey

6 – Firstgeneral Nikao – Leo Salles – Krista Cole

Chris Lomon, Woodbine