THE Queen had special cause for celebration yesterday when her horse, Estimate, won the Royal Ascot Gold Cup.
On a day of sentimental successes and broken records, it was the first time a reigning monarch's horse had claimed victory in the race's 207-year history.
Estimate, a four-year-old filly trained by Michael Stoute, held off a challenge by Simenon in the final furlong to win by a neck and initiate a rapturous reception for the Queen in the winner's enclosure.
The Queen was expected to present the winner's trophy, but instead received it from her second son, the Duke of York.
Estimate, a 7-2 favourite, won at Royal Ascot last year when landing the Queen's Vase.
The Queen's grandson Peter Phillips said: "It's amazing. This is her passion and her life. She's here every year and she strives to have winners – to win the big one means so much to her."
Jockey Ryan Moore said: "To win the Gold Cup in the Queen's colours is exceptional."
Moore, however, got a two-day careless riding ban (July 4 and 5) from a messy final couple of furlongs, while Johnny Murtagh (Simenon) got four for using his whip above the permitted level and in the wrong place and Mickael Barzalona (Top Trip) three for careless riding.
Stoute is one of the most decorated of all trainers but this achievement clearly meant a huge amount. He said: "Her Majesty said it gave her great pleasure and she thanked everyone involved. It's the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and it has been done for a lady who, never mind being the Queen, loves racing and is so good for British racing. It's as big as any."
Estimate, was a gift to the Queen from the Aga Khan, is bred to win the race being a half-sister to the Aga's 1999 winner Enzeli.
"Her preparation had gone well and she was bred to have a big chance of getting the trip but she had to step up from the Sagaro to beat these boys," Stoute added.
"She's so full of guts and so courageous, and she's very relaxed in her races. I think she'll have a good rest now, as that was a very hard race.
In another thrilling race, American sprinter No Nay Never broke the five-furlong track record by a two-year-old in the Norfolk Stakes.
The Wesley Ward-trained son of US sire Scat Daddy recorded a time of 58.80sec., improving on the previous best of 59.17 despite a slow start.
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