International scouting reports for 2021 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

Empress Josephine is the best of the Europeans set for Saturday's Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland. Nicest and Cloudy Dawn are the other two debutantes.

Empress Josephine finished third in the First Lady (G1) at Keeneland. She was ridden by John Velazquez. The horse is taking a page from the playbook of another Ballydoyle alumna, Together.

Cloudy Dawn is a daughter of Kodiac and the Pivotal mare In the Mist. She won her maiden race at Haydock. Cloudy Dancer was the favorite in the Yarmouth handicap. On June 23 Eternal S. at Carlisle she suffered her first loss. In August she finished third in Prix de Lieurey. She was a half-length ahead of the winner Pamouschana. See the Rose finished fifth in French 1000 Guineas. The winner Loch Lein went on to finish third at Fairy Bridge.

Nicest is a daughter of American Pharoah and 2013 Irish Oaks winner Chicquita. Nicest made her first start in the colors of Katsumi Yoshida. She finished fourth in Orby S. at the Curragh. Niceste is the niece of Coolmore’s Magic Wand, who won major races from Royal Ascot to Australia. Magic wand placed as far afield as Hong Kong and the United States. The winner of the Prix de Royallieu (G1) added the Grand Prix on Arc weekend. For the Ribblesdale (2.5 miles), Nicesta finished third.