The Queen's love of horses has been widely documented and long-lasting. She began horseback riding when she was just three years old and was even spotted riding last year, at the age of 94. Extending beyond her own personal sporting, Her Majesty is a longtime racehorse owner and has made millions from her horses. This week, she received a special honour, recognising her support for British flat racing (horse racing around a track): the Queen was inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame.
The British horse racing organisation honoured the monarch with the award, accompanied by a video posted on the Ascot Racecourse's social media accounts. The short montage lists the Queen's many racing accomplishments, and features kind words from a number of people in the industry, including two of the Queen's trainers and a jockey.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, also contributed, stating, "Well I think this is her passion in life and she loves it and you can tell how much she loves it. She could tell you every horse she's bred and owned."
Sir Michael Stoute, one of the Queen's horse trainers, added, "She loves it so much and she's contributed a prodigious amount to horseracing."
The Hall of Fame's website also featured a longer, written tribute to the Queen, enumerating her many equestrian accomplishments. The essay included a quote from a previous interview with the monarch, where she discussed her horse racing strategy.
In the BBC documentary, The Queen’s Racehorses: A Personal View, she said: “My philosophy about racing is simple. I enjoy breeding a horse that is faster than other people’s. And to me, that is a gamble from a long way back. I enjoy going racing but I suppose, basically, I love horses, and the thoroughbred epitomises a really good horse to me.”
