The King has presented a very special trophy on the opening day of Royal Ascot.

Spectators packed around the Winners’ Enclosure to watch His Majesty present the prize to the winners of the King Charles III Stakes – a race named in his honour.

American Affair was an impressive winner of the Group One race, ridden by Paul Mulrennan. Trainer, Jim Goldie, also joined His Majesty on the podium.

There was also a memento for the groom, Alex Goldie, who led up and looked after the horse.

The King Charles III Stakes is one of Royal Ascot’s feature races of the week, and always attracts strong international competition.

This year’s edition was no exception, with horses travelling to the Berkshire track from as far away as Australia.

It is run over a distance of five furlongs – which is just over half a mile, making it a fast and furious spectacle.

The race was renamed in 2023 in honour of The King – marking the dawn of the new Carolean era.

Until his coronation year, the race was known as the King’s Stand Stakes — a title it had held for more than 150 years.

The race’s origins date back to 1860, not as a planned event, but as a last-minute solution. Heavy rain had rendered most of Ascot’s track waterlogged, and officials hastily organised a shorter five-furlong race — then called the King’s Stand Plate. It was such a success that the distance and the name stuck, and the sprint became a permanent fixture.

Over the decades, the race evolved into a premier test of raw speed. It was awarded Group 1 status in 2008 – the highest accolade a race can achieve.

There’s coverage of Royal Ascot on Royal Central’s social media through the week.