In the long and storied history of Royal Ascot, few moments shine as brightly as that summer afternoon in 2013 when Queen Elizabeth II became the first reigning monarch to win the prestigious Gold Cup. The royal colours – purple, gold and scarlet -have graced many winners’ enclosures over the decades. But this was different. This was unscripted history.
Estimate, a bay filly bred by the late Aga Khan, was gifted to The Queen by His Highness in 2010 as an 80th birthday present. And what a present she turned out to be! The horse showed plenty of prestige in her early career, winning the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot the previous year, and quickly establishing herself as one of the leading stayers in training under the tutelage of trainer Sir Michael Stoute. But the Gold Cup – Ascot’s oldest surviving race and the centrepiece of the meeting – was an altogether more formidable challenge. Run over two-and-a-half gruelling miles, the race demands not only class but staying power, determination, and resilience.
When Estimate lined up for the 2013 renewal, she faced strong competition. The race included former winners, Group performers from across Europe, and seasoned marathon distance specialists. On paper, it was a daunting field. But Estimate, under world class jockey Ryan Moore, was up for the task.
From the outset, the filly settled into a perfect rhythm. Moore, a master of tactical riding, kept her well-positioned throughout, avoiding trouble and conserving energy. As they approached the final two furlongs, Estimate moved smoothly into contention, before launching her bid for glory down the Ascot straight. The closing stages were heart-stopping. She was challenged hard by Sheikh Mohammed’s horse, Simenon, with the due and Top Trip drawing clear of the field in a desperate drive for the line.
The grandstand roared. Almost every person in Berkshire was willing The Queen’s filly on, knowing they could be about to witness history first hand.
Through the cheers, one could barely hear commentator Simon Holt roaring: “IT’S A ROYAL WIN IN THE GOLD CUP – ESTIMATE HAS DONE IT!”
Victory belonged to the Queen; her horse finishing a neck ahead of her nearest rival. In the Royal Box, Her Majesty was visibly moved – smiling, clapping, and briefly overcome with emotion. It was, as many racing commentators noted, the most visibly elated she had ever appeared in public.
What followed was a scene of joy and significance. The Gold Cup, a prize inaugurated in 1807, had never before been claimed by a reigning monarch. Indeed it was The Queen who was supposed to conduct the trophy presentation, awarding the prize to the winners of the race. Unable to present the trophy to herself, Prince Andrew stepped in to conduct the presentation.
For Queen Elizabeth II, horse racing was not a mere hobby; it was a lifelong passion and a deeply serious commitment. She read the Racing Post daily, studied breeding lines, and knew the form of horses better than most. Estimate’s victory came not through sentiment, but through sound bloodstock, astute training, and a tactical masterclass.
Peter Phillips, the Queen’s grandson, said after the race: “It’s amazing, this is her passion and her life and she’s here every year and she strives to have winners.
“To win the big one at Royal Ascot means so much to her. Everyone is just thrilled, it’s very close to her heart and today is very special.”
Indeed, Estimate’s win transcended sport. It was a unifying national moment – one of those rare occasions when racing pierced the mainstream consciousness. Newspapers across the world ran with images of the Queen beaming in delight, the Gold Cup gleaming in her hands. Even in an era of modern monarchy, it reminded people of Her Majesty’s authenticity, her personal investment in her passions, and her ability to connect through shared moments of joy.
Estimate ran again in the Gold Cup in 2014, finishing a gallant second, although she was later disqualified after failing a drugs test through contaminated feed. She retired later that year, joining the Queen’s broodmare band, adding her own chapter to a legacy of royal breeding that dates back centuries.
Today, more than a decade on, that golden moment in 2013 is still etched in Royal Ascot’s consciousness. The clips continue to be played o the big screens at the racecourse each year.
This was not just as a sporting achievement, but as a deeply personal triumph. It was a day when royalty and racing became one, and when the world saw the Queen not as a figurehead, but as a winning owner, sharing in the same joy as every other lover of the sport.
And at Royal Ascot – the royal meeting – there could be no more fitting stage.
