Racing

Estimate wins by royal command

Queen Elizabeth’s horse makes history in Ascot Gold Cup, becoming the first to win the two-and-a-half-mile showpiece for a reigning monarch

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth reacts with members of her family and her racing team as she watches her horse Estimate win The Gold Cup during ladies day at Royal Ascot. Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

Thu Jun 20 2013 - 16:19

Estimate raised the roof at Royal Ascot by providing Queen Elizabeth with victory in the Gold Cup.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore, the four-year-old filly become the first horse owned by a reigning monarch to win the two-and-a-half-mile showpiece.

The 7-2 favourite was challenged strongly inside the final furlong by Simenon and French raider Top Trip, but Estimate stuck her neck out gamely for a famous success.

Estimate ridden by jockey Ryan Moore (left) wins the Gold Cup ahead of Simenon ridden by jockey Johnny Murtagh (centre) during day three of the Royal Ascot meeting. Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Estimate won at the meeting last year in the Queen’s Vase, returning to action this season with victory in the Sagaro Stakes, after which she was promoted towards the head of the Gold Cup market.

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Despite the bookmakers fancying her chances, Stoute had always urged caution, suggesting her form did not entitle her to be favourite and that her position in the betting owed more to who owned her rather than her actual chance.

In the perfect position throughout, Moore tracked last year’s winner Colour Vision into the straight before striking for home.

Simenon, twice a winner at last year's fixture, looked to be coming with a race-winning run under Johnny Murtagh for Willie Mullins but could never quite draw level with Estimate, while Top Trip tried to force his way between them.

Showing incredible guts and determination, Estimate won by a neck. Estimate is bred to win the race being a half-sister to 1999 winner Enzeli. Moore said: “We’ve always had this race in mind, she won well. It’s fantastic to ride a winner here for the Queen and in the Gold Cup, it’s very special. She was holding them.”

Stoute said: “She had to show a lot of courage as she had to beat one and then stave off another. “He (Moore) always had her in a good position and she switches off so well. “I really felt it was a seriously tough task for her, I couldn’t be confident at all taking on the boys that are proven over this trip and she can be a pain in the backside at times.” Asked what it meant to train a

Gold Cup winner for the Queen, the trainer said: “It’s a great honour and a tremendous thrill. We know how much she loves this game.”

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