The 95-year-old has been recognised for her contribution to British horseracing, especially British Flat racing.
Her Majesty is infamous for being passionate about horseracing and is a successful owner and breeder in her own right. Over 1,800 winners have worn her purple, gold braid and scarlet colours.
The Queen once took part in a rare interview as part of a documentary that was broadcast on the BBC. In The Queen’s Racehorses: A Personal View, she said:
“My philosophy about racing is simple. I enjoy breeding a horse that is faster than other people’s. And to me, that is a gamble from a long way back. I enjoy going racing, but I suppose, basically, I love horses, and the thoroughbred epitomises a really good horse to me.”
The Queen’s first victory as an owner was in 1949, three years before she took the throne with Monaveen, who won over the jumps at Fontwell Park. Her Majesty has also been champion Flat owner twice, in 1954 and three years later in 1957.
In the seventy-plus years that the Queen has been a breeder, she has won the 2,000 Guineas, 1,000 Guineas, the Oaks and the St Leger. The only British Classic race her horses haven’t won is The Derby.
When Elizabeth was crowned Queen of England on 2 June 1953, one of the first actions she performed was to knight Britain’s renowned champion jockey Gordon Richards in the Coronation Honours List.
Four days later, the Queen attended The Derby and watched as Gordon Richards made his 28th attempt to win The Derby. Racing on Pinza, he succeeded on his last attempt, beating Aureole into second place. The owner of Aureole was Her Majesty the Queen. That race became then known as the Coronation Derby.
Carrozza took the Oaks in 1957, ridden by the legendary Lester Piggott, and in 1958 her horse Pall Mall was a surprise 20/1 winner at the 2,000 Guineas.
One of her finest years as an owner came ironically during her Silver Jubilee year, 1977. Dunfermline, trained by Dick Hern, scooped both the Oaks and the St Leger, becoming only the fourth horse to achieve that double in the last 50 years.
The Queen’s bloodstock and racing adviser John Warren said of the induction: “I suspect that the Queen will have a lot of inner pride in being invited into the Hall of Fame,”
“The Queen’s contribution to racing and breeding derives from a lifelong commitment. Her love of horses and their welfare comes with a deep understanding of what is required to breed, rear, train and ride a thoroughbred.”
“Her Majesty’s fascination is unwavering and her pleasure derives from all of her horses – always accepting the outcome of their ability so gracefully.”
