And they’re off... King to sell 12 of Queen’s racehorses

THE KING will this month sell 12 of the treasured top racehorses he inherited from his mother as he starts to cut her racing operation.

They will be auctioned at Newmarket’s Tattersalls auctions – and further sales will follow.

The Queen had 37 horses in races this year, so Charles is offloading nearly a third.

On the list is Just Fine, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the first horse to win for the new King.

Also for sale is Love Affairs, the Queen’s last winner at Goodwood two days before her death.

A source close to the Royal Sandringham stud in Norfolk said there is talk of ‘winding down’ the breeding operation over three years, until it ceases to be a commercial operation. The

‘Ascot traditions won’t be on the same scale’

source said: ‘The Royal stud could be a museum in three years. It would be a real shame.’

Charles has 60 racehorses and 38 brood mares at Sandringham.

The 30 foals expected in the new year will fetch high prices as the last bred by the Queen. A racing source said Gulf State yards are especially keen to buy and claim a connection to the Queen.

A Royal source confirmed Charles will reduce the number of horses but added: ‘The connection between the family and the horse racing industry will continue.

‘The desire is to continue with the traditions and connections with Royal Ascot but not on the same scale as Her Majesty because she had a passion.’

The Queen subsidised the hefty running costs of her hobby from her private purse – as it did not always turn a profit.

Last year was her best in racing, with 36 winners earning £590,000 in prize money. It is thought she made £10 million in prize money over her racing career.