Tenderly tending to her beloved horses, the Queen’s life-long devotion to racing is plain to see.
In previously unseen footage filmed at Her Majesty’s countryside retreat in Sandringham, she is seen inspecting a powerful mother and her foal.
The monarch – who is celebrating her 70-year reign – is heard saying,
“Would you like another one?”, before feeding the foal a carrot.
Her Majesty, 96, is expected to miss today’s Derby race because of her ailing “mobility concerns”.
But a special documentary will reveal her lifetime passion for horses.
John Warren, the Queen’s Bloodstock and Racing Advisor, said: “The Queen never forgot when she went to see a thoroughbred for the first time.
“She couldn’t believe this incredible creature that was presented in front of her.
“The thoroughbred has captured her imagination ever since. Profoundly.”
While the Queen does not gamble on the races, she is said to read the Racing Post over breakfast every morning.
And she has owned horses throughout her life, including Pall Mall that won the classic 2000 Guineas in 1958.
The Queen had her first riding lesson when she was just four at the Buckingham Palace Mews.
She was given a Shetland pony named Peggy as a child, going on to follow the sport throughout her life.
But despite the pedigree, jockey Ryan Moore – who won for Her Majesty with their horse Estimate at the Ascot Gold Cup – has also revealed he does not feel the heat when racing for the Queen.
He said: “There is no pressure at all… she’s always let me ride with complete freedom and it’s been a tremendous honour for me.”
The footage will be aired today as part of ITV Racing’s Derby coverage,
where presenter Ed Chamberlain will detail her love of horses.
ITV Racing is on Saturday 4 June 12.40 to 5pm. The Cazoo Derby is at 4.30pm.
