Queen batters the bookies at Ascot with a 7-2 winner
THE Queen was celebrating after one of her horses yesterday secured her first win at Royal Ascot since 2016, giving the bookies a pasting.
She was “thrilled” watching on ITV as jockey James Doyle rode Tactical to victory in the Windsor Castle Stakes.
It was her 24th winner at the royal meeting. Her last was Dartmouth four years ago.
Moments after getting off the phone to her, John Warren, her bloodstock adviser, said: “Her Majesty got such a buzz out of it. Breeding this horse and rearing the stock is such a big deal for her.
“And the fact she and the team at the Royal Stud nurtured this horse from birth and bred the mother, it’s a great journey.”
He said: “She also wanted to pass on that it’s a huge team effort, from the trainers, jockeys, stable staff and everyone who has worked so hard at the Royal Stud.”
Jockey James Doyle said: “To ride Her Majesty a royal winner here, it’s what dreams are made of.”
The victory for 7-2 favourite Tactical made up for the Queen’s much-fancied Derby hope, First Receiver, getting pipped at the post and forced into second place in the first race of the day. It may be some consolation for missing her first meeting in her 68-year reign after it took place behind closed doors because of the pandemic.
Mr Warren said: “A great shame Her Majesty isn’t there to enjoy the buzz. It’s the icing on the cake to have a winner.”
Britain’s bookies said they took a pounding. Ladbrokes said “Royal fans will be raising a glass to the Queen today.”
William Hill said: “The Queen has officially ruined Royal Ascot for the bookies.”
A young fan watching at home in Bere Regis, Dorset, Merlin Coles, three, took in the races while sat on his horse Mr Glitter Sparkles with his dog Mistress.