King Charles III recorded a historic first winner in the Queen's famous racing silks at Leicester.
Just Fine raced ahead of the opposition and crossed the line with a clear advantage in the ' Kube - Leicester's Premier Event Hire Venue Handicap.' The 100-30 shot was ridden by Ryan Moore, who gave the Queen one of her best moments in racing when Estimate took the 2013 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
Following the death of Britain's longest-serving monarch on September 8, the King inherited her string of racehorses. Just Fine, who raced at Royal Ascot this year, was his sixth runner. Unplaced in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes, Tuesday's success was his first since the summer of 2021.
Asked to quicken, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained horse led over a furlong out and galloped on by four-and-a-half lengths from a wide track position.
The King’s racing manager, John Warren, said the reigning monarch and Queen Consort Camilla would be "delighted" by the result.
"I’m also absolutely thrilled for Sir Michael Stoute, who was probably the longest standing trainer for Her Majesty, and for Ryan Moore, who has put in a big effort as well," he added.
“And for all the team at Sandringham, who rear and go through all the effort to produce the horses all in good shape, so it’s a big commitment on everyone’s part to get a result.”
King Charles III was expected to strike with his first runner, Educator, the 11-10 favourite for a handicap at Salisbury last Thursday.
He could only finish second however, behind another of Moore's mounts, Okeechobee. Mellow Yellow was another market leader to be defeated on Saturday, while on the same day, King's Lynn finished fourth at Ascot after starting the joint favourite for a Listed sprint. Just Fine's race was won by one of the Queen's horses in 2021, Pied Piper.
He was recruited by Gordon Elliott's team for a career over obstacles and finished third in the Triumph Hurdle at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.
The four-year-old then dead-heated for first place in a Grade 1 at Aintree's Grand National meeting, but was demoted to second for causing interference by the on-course stewards.
