There were historic scenes in the horse racing world on Thursday evening after The King enjoyed his first ever runner as sovereign.
Educator was the the first horse to carry the royal silks for King Charles III and finished in 2nd place in a Handicap at Salisbury Racecourse.
The three-year-old colt was bred by the late Queen at her Sandringham stud and is trained in Newmarket by William Haggas.
Before the race, jockey Tom Marquand tweeted: “A huge honour to be riding Educator at Salisbury today – His Majesty’s first runner as The King.
“A special day to see the Royal racing legacy continued in honour of our late Queen Elizabeth II.”
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.”
Despite starting the race as favourite, Educator couldn’t pass the impressive winner – Okeechobee – trained by Harry & Roger Charlton.
King Charles has previously owned racehorses in his own right alongside his wife, Camilla, although this was when they were the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
His Majesty has now inherited all of his mother’s racehorses as well as The Royal Stud.
