Western Morning News (Saturday)
Sport pays its respects to the Queen
SPORTS clubs and sports men and women from across the region – and the world - have been paying their respects to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday at the age of 96.
Exeter Chiefs are gearing up to face Leicester Tigers at Sandy Park today, the opening weekend of the Gallagher Premiership rugby season. In a tweet on their official Twitter account, they said: “Everyone at Exeter Rugby Club are tonight deeply saddened to learn of the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II. The thoughts of us all are with the Royal Family at this difficult time. Rest In Peace, Your Majesty.”
Across town, Exeter City wrote: “The thoughts of all at Exeter City are with The Royal Family at this time. RIP Queen Elizabeth II”
City’s Westcountry rivals Plymouth Argyle wrote: “Plymouth Argyle FC joins with the rest of the United Kingdom in expressing our deep sorrow at the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. We send our sincere condolences and best wishes to the Royal Family.”
Torquay United wrote: “Torquay United AFC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II. The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with all the Royal Family at this difficult time.”
EFL chairman Rick Parry said: “The Queen had a keen interest in sport including football. Her Majesty attended numerous FA Cup Finals throughout her reign and was an advocate for our national sport through her many years of service.
“The Monarch was at Wembley Stadium in 1966 for perhaps our national game’s most famous moment to present captain Bobby Moore with the Jules Rimet Trophy after England beat West Germany to win the World Cup.
“On behalf of the League and its Clubs, we join the rest of the nation and people across the world in mourning the passing of our Queen, Elizabeth II.
“The thoughts of everybody at the EFL and our Clubs are with the Royal Family at this sad time for our country.”
The Queen was synonymous with Britain’s sporting success throughout her reign spanning an incredible 74 years and 214 days. She handed Bobby Moore the Jules Rimet trophy
when England won football’s World Cup at Wembley Stadium in 1966, while she attended numerous FA Cup finals, handing the winners the trophy, throughout her reign.
However, her true sporting passion stemmed from her love of horses. Her Majesty rode horses and bred and raced horses for more than 60 years.
Thoroughbreds owned by the Queen won four out of the five flat racing classics - the 1000 Guineas and 2000 Guineas, the Oaks and the St Leger - with only the Derby eluding her.
Her horse Dunfermline, ridden by jockey Willie Carson, gave the Queen her most famous victory, triumphing in the Oaks and St Leger in her Silver Jubilee year in 1977.
In recent years, the Queen made sporting history when she became the first reigning monarch to win Royal Ascot’s Gold Cup with her thoroughbred Estimate in 2013. She had more than 20 winners at Royal Ascot - one of the premier events of the racing season.
The Racing world were quick to pay their respects as well. Sir Francis Brooke, Her Majesty’s representative at Ascot, said: “The nation mourns the loss of a much loved and respected monarch. The world of racing has lost one of its greatest supporters.
“We at Ascot are privileged to have so many memories of Her Majesty, the Queen, at this, her racecourse, including some wonderful victories in the royal colours.”
Nicky Henderson, who trained racehorses for the Queen and Queen Mother, added: “Racing has lost its best friend and greatest patron, the country has lost its Queen - but she was more than a Queen. The country has lost somebody who was its greatest servant. She was absolutely the greatest.
“She knew horses inside out, so it was always a pleasure to be able to talk and discuss horses - and lots of other things as well. Her loss is immeasurable. It is an emotional day and I am very emotional.”