The King and Queen are sending a strong team of horses to Royal Ascot next week as Their Majesties continue the late Queen Elizabeth II’s racing legacy.
Speaking to Racing TV, The King’s racing and bloodstock adviser, John Warren, revealed that Their Majesties are set to have as many as eight runners across the five day meeting.
Mr Warren said: “We are hopeful the King and Queen will race through the week and they will be very much following their runners. They are really very much looking forward to a wonderful week’s racing, which is tremendous.”
He continued: “Everyone is excited by their participation and the fact they are really engaged and looking forward to it.
“The King understands the bigger picture. He is more than interested in racing. It is something he’d heard in osmosis all his life.
“What with the Queen’s enthusiasm, racing is lucky to have two great advocates, people who are engaged in the sport we all love.”
One of the big royal hopes this year will be the Sir Michael Stoute trained Circle Of Fire who will race in either the Queen’s Vase or King Edward VII Stakes.
Speaking of the horse, Mr Warren says: “Hopefully, he is a horse on the up, as it were. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him. We hope he has a bright future.”
Reach For The Moon, a one time Derby hopeful at Epsom, will also line up after a fairly disappointing 12 months.
The four-year-old will race in the Royal Hunt Cup with Frankie Dettori in the saddle.
Other royal runners could include Desert Hero in the George V Handicap, Educator in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap and Saga in the Wolferton Stakes.
You can read John Warren’s full interview with Racing TV by clicking here.
The King inherited all of Queen Elizabeth II’s horses following her death last September.
Originally running solely in His Majesty’s name, the ownership details of the horses were all updated in February to add Queen Camilla as a registered co-owner.
The King and Queen are continuing to run the large racing operation started by the late Elizabeth II.
Shortly after her death in September, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Queen Elizabeth’s great personal interest in horse racing was one of Her Majesty’s lifelong passions and the King is delighted to honour Her legacy.”
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