The Queen of England is one of the wealthiest people in the world, thanks to centuries of accumulated wealth. Her Majesty owns a variety of assets, from palaces and castles to furniture, art, and jewelry. But does the Queen still own racehorses?
Horse Racing in the United Kingdom
Horse racing has been a popular pastime in the United Kingdom for centuries. The earliest recorded race meeting was held in 1174, and the sport has been a part of the British culture ever since. Horse racing is a multi-billion pound industry, with more than 600 racecourses spread throughout the country.
The Queen’s Love of Horse Racing
The Queen has a long-standing love of horse racing, and her enthusiasm is shared by the British public. Her Majesty has been a regular visitor to racecourses across the country, and has owned a number of horses over the years.
The Royal Studs
The Queen maintains two studs for breeding and training horses: Sandringham in Norfolk and the Royal Stud in Ascot. The horses at the studs are owned by the Queen, and she is actively involved in their care and training.
The Queen’s Own Horses
The Queen has owned a number of racehorses over the years. These include Estimate, which won the 2013 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, and Dunfermline, the winner of the 1977 Epsom Oaks. The Queen also owned Double Trigger, who won the 1995 Ascot Gold Cup.
The Queen’s Racing Syndicate
The Queen does not own racehorses directly, but instead has a racing syndicate, which is managed by her racing advisor, John Warren. The syndicate is made up of a number of owners, including the Queen, who own shares in various horses.
The Queen’s Jockeys
The Queen has been known to hire a number of jockeys to ride her horses, including the legendary Lester Piggott. Other famous jockeys who have ridden for the Queen include Willie Carson, Pat Eddery, and Richard Hughes.
The Queen’s Wins
The Queen has had a number of wins over the years, most notably in the 1977 Epsom Oaks with Dunfermline, and the 2013 Gold Cup with Estimate. The Queen also won the Coronation Stakes in 1965 with Aureole, and the St Leger Stakes in 1981 with Shadeed.
The Queen’s Losses
Despite her successes, the Queen has also had her share of losses over the years. In 1990, the Queen’s horse Playful Act was disqualified from the Epsom Derby after testing positive for a banned substance. In 2002, the Queen’s horse, Highclere, was declared a non-runner at the Grand National due to a heart irregularity.
Conclusion
The Queen of England is one of the world’s wealthiest people, and has a long-standing love of horse racing. While she does not own racehorses directly, she does maintain a racing syndicate, which is managed by her racing advisor, John Warren. The Queen has had a number of wins over the years, but has also had her share of losses.