The bond between the British Royal Family and the sport of horse racing runs deeper than the immaculately groomed tracks themselves. For the late Queen Elizabeth II, it wasn’t just spectator enthusiasm – her horses were a core part of her private life.
Throughout her life, she saw many of her horses finishing on the podium, and plenty have (rightfully) taken up permanent residence in the halls of fame. Even if racing isn’t your sport, you’ve likely heard about one or two of these racers over the years. Many of them played key roles in some of the most pivotal moments in the sport…
Estimate
Estimate’s storybook journey exemplified the fairytale magic that can unfold on the turf. Bestowed upon the Queen by the Aga Khan himself for her 80th birthday, this regal filly seemed destined for greatness from the start. And in 2013, Estimate etched her name into the annals of Ascot lore by claiming the prestigious Gold Cup—the first time a reigning monarch had owned the victor of that fabled contest.
As she surged through the pack with dogged determination, Estimate embodied the indomitable spirit that courses through centuries of royal tradition.
Highclere
Turning the page reveals Highclere’s blinding speed and athletic grace. In 1974, she reigned supreme in both the 1,000 Guineas and the Prix de Diane, outdueling Europe’s finest at their most unforgiving tests. Beyond adorning the Queen’s trophy case, Highclere’s true legacy endures through her exceptional offspring—a lasting maternal line that has profoundly shaped the modern thoroughbred.
Dunfermline
The narrative of Dunfermline reads like a romance novel plucked straight from the royal stables. In the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year of 1977, this iron-willed filly captured the nation’s hearts with show-stopping victories in both the Oaks and the St. Leger. Her supreme stamina in conquering the gruelling tracks of Epsom and Doncaster reflected a fairytale resilience befitting the jubilee celebrations.
Pall Mall
Some triumphs, like Pall Mall’s against-all-odds shocker in the 1958 2,000 Guineas, remind us that even queens can experience the underdog’s thrill. As the Queen recovered from illness and missed the race itself, her colt defied the long odds to steal the spotlight—a raucously joyful surprise.
Carrozza
And who could forget the plucky Carrozza, whose 1957 Epsom Oaks triumph marked the Queen’s first classic winner? Lester Piggott’s colourful comparison of her running “like a fat little lady” only added to her irresistible charm and undeniable heart.
Aureole
Aureole’s story is one intimately intertwined with the rhythms of royal life and national events. Just four days after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 the chestnut charged home to an inspiring second-place finish in the prestigious Epsom Derby.
One year later, Aureole experienced his tour-de-force victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at the hallowed Ascot grounds washed over the realm like a soothing balm. Fittingly, the race honoured the Queen’s beloved late father—imbuing Aureole’s triumph with profound poignancy and cementing his place in the early lore of her fledgling reign.
The Queen herself described his “independent and frankly naughty” demeanour with an unmistakable fondness. Given how long we’ve spent talking about him, there’s a good chance we were won over too.
These legendary runners, along with the Queen’s countless other equine stars, have elevated her racing legacy to the rarified air they conquered. While many members of the royal family demonstrate a keen interest in racing at some point in their lives, it’s hard to find anyone who can match the late Queen Elizabeth II’s passion for the horses, the training, and the jockeys. Her legacy will live on for generations to come.
