Magic! Merlin, 3, cheers Ascot from pony in living room
For most, this was one Ascot they’ve had to sit out.
But three-year-old Merlin Coles joined in the fun – and watched the races while riding his pony, Mr Glitter Sparkles, in his living room.
His pet dog Mistress got on too as Merlin, wearing jockey’s attire, followed the races on television from his manor house in Bere regis, Dorset, on the second day of Ascot yesterday.
Merlin is already ‘jumping bales of woodchip in the field at home’, said his mother Callie, 33, whose Instagram diary of life as a hunt master’s wife has amassed more than 23,000 followers.
Her husband Toby, 34, is an artist and master of the South Dorset Hunt. The pony, who is also known as Sparky, has been allowed in the family’s house since he escaped his stable and banged on the boot room door one day and they let him in.
And it wasn’t just Merlin who dressed up for the occasion, as celebrities across the country donned their glad rags as if they were enjoying a day out at the fashionable event. Television presenter Lizzie Cundy posted a photo of herself in far-from-traditional attire: Sheer lace lingerie, red heels and a red feather hat with a matching clutch bag – and a glass of bubbly in hand.
The 52-year-old cheekily captioned her Instagram snap: ‘And they’re off...!! You can leave your hat on! Doing this year’s Ascot from home...’
The Queen was on to a winner at royal Ascot yesterday as her horse Tactical romped to victory.
The win by the two-year-old – with odds of 7-2 – netted Her Majesty £23,680 in prize money and marked her 24th win overall at the race meet.
The Queen is not at Ascot for the first time in her 68-year reign – but is watching it from Windsor Castle. royal sources said the Queen’s win was ‘very welcome’.
Ascot pullout – centre pages