“I would like to express the deep sorrow of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II,” said IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. “Her Majesty’s contributions to racing were matched only by her enthusiasm for the sport and her love of the horse. As a successful owner and breeder, she understood the challenges and the joys of the sport on a personal level. A number of the most prestigious Group/Grade 1 races in the world are named in her honour, and over the course of her life she attended race meetings at many of the major racecourses around the globe. She will be greatly missed.”
The Queen was the champion owner in Great Britain in both 1954 and 1957, and her patronage of Royal Ascot throughout her life was globally renowned. She won her first horse race in 1949 with Monaveen, who was owned jointly with her mother, and when she became Queen in 1952, she made it publicly known that she would continue her family’s racing and breeding operations.
She won four of the British Classics during her lifetime with Carrozza (1957 Oaks), Pall Mall (1958 2,000 Guineas), Highclere (1974 1,000 Guineas), and Dunfermline (1977 Oaks and St Leger). The Queen never won the Derby but finished second with Aureole in 1953 and third with Carlton House in 2011.
The Queen achieved one of her most popular victories in 2013 when Estimate won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
In 2018, at a ceremony during QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse, Her Majesty accepted the Longines Ladies Award, celebrating her lifelong achievements at the very highest level of global equine sport. Louis Romanet, then the IFHA chairman, participated in the ceremony to present the award.
“Her Majesty The Queen will forever be remembered for her passion and support of horse racing,” said Romanet. “Some of my most fond memories include spending time with The Queen during lunch at Windsor Castle and racing at Ascot, sharing insights and knowledge about the sport she cared about so dearly. Her enthusiasm and commitment to racing remains an inspiration to me, to the IFHA, and to each person who holds racing dear.”
