The event is named after
Rockfel, a successful filly whose victories included two
Classics in 1938. It was established in 1981, and its first winner was Top Hope. The Rockfel Stakes attained Listed status in 1985, and it was promoted to Group 3 level in 1986. It was upgraded to Group 2 in 1998. The race was formerly staged during Newmarket's Champions' Day meeting in mid-October. It became part of a new fixture called Future Champions Day in 2011 and was moved to a September date from 2014, switching places in the calendar with the
Fillies' Mile. The race is currently part of the
Breeders' Cup Challenge and the winner earns an automatic place in the
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf race. The leading horses from the Rockfel Stakes sometimes go on to compete in the following season's
1000 Guineas. Four fillies have won both events, the most recent being
Finsceal Beo (2006–07). ==Records==