The Royal Family have arrived at the Sandringham Estate for Christmas. However, there are some sad scenes in the Norfolk countryside, as it has been announced that Royal Applause, a favourite stallion of Queen Elizabeth II, has died at the age of 29.
Royal Applause had been living at the Royal Studs in Sandringham since his retirement from racing in 1997, and has sired dozens of top quality racehorses in that time.
He was the late Queen’s resident stallion at the Royal Stud, producing foals from 1998 until his retirement in 2014.
He covered up to 110 mares a year in his prime, some of those horses racing in Her late Majesty’s colours.
Royal Applause was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, and during her visits to Sandringham, she always asked to see him.
