Her Majesty Queen Camilla attended British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday to honour her late mother-in-law, Elizabeth II.
It was on British Champions Day 12 months ago when Queen Elizabeth II attended the races for the final ever time, ending nearly nine decades of regular appearances at her favourite sport.
On that occasion, Elizabeth was inducted into racing’s Hall Of Fame and received her honour from the executives of Ascot.
On Saturday, marking one year since Elizabeth’s final visit, Queen Camilla attended the racecourse to watch all of the sporting action.
Amongst the horses Her Majesty was cheering on included King’s Lynn – a horse formerly owned by Elizabeth II, and now runs for The King.
King’s Lynn was an outsider in the British Champions Sprint, and eventually finished 10th of 18 runners.
Queen Camilla also visited the parade ring ahead of the running of The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – a race named in honour of the late monarch.
Camilla judged the horse who she deemed to be the best turned out, with the groom winning a cash prize for their efforts.
Her Majesty also presented the prize to the winning connections of Bayside Boy, a surprise winner of the race at odds of 33/1.
Trained by Roger Varian and ridden by Tom Marquand, Bayside Boy scooped Ā£655,709 in prize money for his owners – Teme Valley & Ballylinch Stud.
Before leaving Ascot, The Queen Consort presented Lady Jane Cecil and Willie Carson with medals, inducting them into the British Champions Series Hall of Fame.
Lady Jane received the award on behalf of her late husband, Sir Henry Cecil – multiple Champion Trainer and the trainer of 25 classics.
In the months before his death, Sir Henry trained Frankel – the greatest racehorse of all time – who remained undefeated in every single one of his races.
Willie Carson also received his award from Queen Camilla. 79-year-old Willie was Elizabeth II’s principal jockey for many years, and rode Dunfermline to victory in the Oaks and the St Leger for Her late Majesty in her Silver Jubilee year.
