As the final strains of “God Save the King” faded from Royal Ascot on Saturday, and the last pair of high heels teetered out of the Royal Enclosure, I decided to travel 340 miles north… to another racecourse, this time Hexham!

While Royal Ascot dazzles the world with its five-day parade of high fashion, champagne flutes, and horses worth more than your house, it is Hexham Racecourse that Queen Camilla described as “the most beautiful” during a visit earlier this month.

A horse I co-own, Glory And Honour, was going to run at the track. So despite it being a major trek, I decided to head up the A1 to see the Northumberland venue with my own eyes.

The contrast between Royal Ascot and ladies day at Hexham could not be more glorious.

At Ascot, the dress code is so strict racegoers are forced to inspect a PDF guide with an existential fear of being turned away by a man in a top hat wielding a measuring tape.

At Hexham? If you think you look nice, that is good enough. Top hats and socks are not a necessity!

I arrived at the racecourse around an hour before my horse, Glory And Honour, was due to run.

I own a share in Glory And Honour (or Craig as he is affectionately called) with URSA Major Racing – a northern based syndicate who are about to rack up their 100th winner.

Trained by Sam England and ridden by her husband, Jonathan, Craig wasn’t expected to win according to the bookmakers, with a well fancied favourite elsewhere.

To calm the pre-race nerves, I explored the surroundings of the track, which Queen Camilla called ‘the most beautiful racecourse’.

It is easy to see why The Queen feels this way. The view of the track from the newly renamed ‘Queen Camilla stand’ is breathtaking.

Located 600ft above the nearby town, racegoers are offered a spectacular view out into the Northumberland countryside. Through my binoculars I could see sheep and cows grazing, whilst people all around me were having the time of their lives.

During her visit earlier in June, The Queen said: “I haven’t been here, I am ashamed to say, before but it really is the most beautiful racecourse. It has the most wonderful views.”

She made the comments standing beside a picture of the late Queen’s horse No Trumps, which won a race at the track in 2019.

Her Majesty added that she herself would one day like to return to the track as an owner with a runner.

Speaking of which, here I was! The syndicate had just been briefed by the jockey and trainer, before Craig headed onto the track.

“And they’re off” came the dulcet tones of commentator Malcolm Tomlinson, as the horses set off on their journey, having to jump 12 fences on the way.

I was able to watch most of the race… but two fences from home, Glory And Honour was leading.

At this point I turned away… I couldn’t watch! I only turned back after the horses had jumped the final fence.

And there he was! Craig, the beautiful bay gelding was still in front, and won the race – beating the heavily fancied favourite.

What a result! It was so exciting, and made the journey well worth it. My co-owners and I went to the winners’ enclosure to the applause of the crowd, many of whom must have backed him, winning some money.

After photographs were taken, we headed to the celebratory room for champagne and a buffet.

We all remember the scenes in 2013 when the late Queen Elizabeth’s horse, Estimate, won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and how excited she was. 

Although my winner at Hexham isn’t quite comparable, there his truly no better feeling!

For winning on Sunday, we received £7,957.35 in prize money, meaning Glory And Honour has earned a grand total of £85,742 for the syndicate!

Not bad to say syndicate manager Craig Talbot managed to buy him for a steal of a price – only £13.000!

So yes, I agree with Queen Camilla. Hexham is beautiful. And she must come back with a runner one day, and taste the glory.