Queen’s old favourites will parade for her at the Derby
THE Queen’s retired racehorses will parade at the Epsom Derby for the Platinum Jubilee to celebrate the monarch’s contribution to the equestrian world.
Five thoroughbreds, which have all gone on to second careers in dressage and showing classes, will take part in the procession on June 4 which will follow a guard of honour made up of 40 of the Queen’s jockeys.
It is expected to be a highlight of the weekend for Her Majesty who is said to be determined to attend despite her mobility problems.
Her dreams of winning the Derby at the moment she celebrates 70 years on the throne have already been dashed as the three horses which could have been in contention have been withdrawn.
The parade of former racehorses has been arranged by the charity Retraining of Racehorses (ROR), which has worked with The Jockey Club to find a suitable way of honouring the Queen’s personal contribution to the welfare of retired horses.
Di Arbuthnot, chief executive of ROR, said: “It is an honour for ROR and the riders taking part in the parade to be involved on what we hope will be a memorable day for Her Majesty.
“I have seen at first hand the pleasure the Queen gets from seeing her former racehorses excel in a different discipline and the role her horses have played in helping promote the work of ROR is immeasurable.”
Phil White, London regional director at The Jockey Club, added: “We know the Queen is incredibly fond of all her horses, whether they are racing or involved in other disciplines, so this will be a great way to combine her passion for the thoroughbred with a chance to educate people about the work of ROR and the lives racehorses live once their careers on the track have come to an end.”
The Queen is expected to attend the race day, along with just a few key events during the Jubilee weekend.
Plans have already been put in place to allow her to use a lift to get to her box.
Hopes the Queen will be able to attend several events over the weekend were given a significant boost this week after she took a tour of the Chelsea Flower Show in a golf buggy.
The Queen Mother famously used an electric buggy painted in her light blue and gold candy-stripe racing colours.