The Platinum Jubilee celebrations may have been in full swing on Saturday, but The Queen still found time to telephone Sir Michael Stoute to congratulate him on winning the Cazoo Derby with Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}).
Her Majesty had been due to attend Epsom for the Derby as she has done regularly through her 70-year reign, but instead had to watch from home as she was advised to “pace herself” through the four days of events, which saw her twice appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with members of her family.
At Epsom instead was The Queen's daughter Princess Anne, and grandchildren Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. On arrival they were greeted by a guard of honour of 40 jockeys past and present wearing the royal racing silks.
“Yes, I spoke to The Queen late afternoon,” Stoute confirmed. “She was very pleased for the team.”
The 76-year-old trainer had previously provided one of The Queen's most thrilling racing moments of recent years when sending out Estimate (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) to win the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in her colours in 2013.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
