The King and Queen watched as their horse came last at Epsom on Ladies’ Day.
King Charles and Queen Camilla had to watch the late Queen Elizabeth’s thoroughbred Treasure finish at the back of the pack in the Oaks at Epsom on Friday.
Despite odds of 16-1 Treasure, who was bred by the King’s mother, lost out to the Aga Khan’s horse Ezeliya.
The King watched through binoculars after emerging on the grandstand moments before the race began.
King Charles and Queen Camilla watch their horse at Epsom. Pic: PA
He and the Queen had walked around the parade ring ahead of the race to speak to Treasure’s jockey James Doyle, trainer Ralph Beckett and royal racing advisor John Warren.
They later presented the Coronation Cup to jockey Ryan Moore, after he rode Aidan O’Brien’s horse Luxembourg to victory.
The King and Queen look on as Treasure trails into last place. Pic: PA
Queen Elizabeth II was a passionate horse owner and racegoer during her 70-year reign.
The King congratulates jockey Ryan Moore on winning the Coronation Cup. Pic: PA
Her thoroughbreds won four out of the five flat racing classics – the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, the Oaks twice and the St Leger – with only the Derby eluding her.
Dunfermline, in 1977, was the last horse to carry the royal colours to victory in a British classic, winning not only the Oaks but also the St Leger at Doncaster, in what was the late Queen’s silver jubilee year.
The King and Queen enjoyed a good first flat racing season last year, with Desert Hero winning at Royal Ascot before finishing third in the St Leger.
The King returned to public duties last month after it was confirmed in February that he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.
It was confirmed this week that the Princess of Wales will not attend the Colonel’s Review in London on 8 June, but her father-in-law the King will.
Source Agencies
