Appropriately known as ‘the Sport of Kings’, racing has long been popular amongst members of the Royal Family.

In fact, Queen Victoria is said to have become so excited whilst watching a race at Ascot that she broke the window of the Royal box in a rush to see the finish!

There is evidence that Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and Charles I all raced their own horses and the Royal Stud at Hampton Court has played an important part in the progress and promotion of breeding and racing horses.

One of the first Derby winners to come out of the stud was Moses, who won in 1822 wearing the colours of The Duke of York. Later that century, Springfield notched up 14 consecutive victories in the Champion Stakes of 1877 whilst Sainford won the Derby. There were more winners in the first half of the 20th century before the Royal Stud was reduced during the Second World War although George VI still managed to produce the champion sire Aureole during this period.

The current Queen has ensured the ongoing success of the Royal Stud in post-war and recent years with her enthusiasm for breeding and racing. She has been closely involved with the acquisition of new horses by the Stud and in 1956 chose to buy the successful brood-mare Stroma at Doncaster. She also began the practice of sending her brood-mares to America to be covered and acquired the Polhampton Stud in Hampshire where yearlings are kept before they are sent into training.

The Queen has been responsible for a number of major winners in the past 50 years including Pall Mall, Almera and Canisbay. Currently, Her Majesty has approximately 25 horses in training each year.

Her Majesty is regularly seen at race meets in both her private capacity as racehorse owner and breeder and in an official capacity at events which enjoy a Royal patronage, such as the Derby and Royal Ascot. Many of The Queen’s children and grandchildren have inherited her interest in the sport and can also be seen at such events.