It may not have quite been the result they were hoping for but the King and Queen spent the afternoon at Epsom on Friday to see their second ever Classic runner, Treasure, challenge in the Betfred Oaks.
The grey filly, who was bred by the late Queen, struggled with the unique undulations of Epsom and, ultimately, only beat two home in the 246th running of the race which was won by the Aga Khan-owned Irish-trained filly Ezeliya.
However, as any long standing owner knows it is the also-rans which make the winners, when they come, so much sweeter. So the day will have served a purpose.
The King and Queen, with the royal racing adviser John Warren, were in the paddock beforehand to see Treasure being saddled and to chat to trainer Ralph Beckett and his wife Izzie. The filly had been ear-marked for Royal Ascot after finishing third in her trial but a combination of good homework and rain softened ground encouraged them to run in the Classic.
She had the perfect position in third for much of the race but struggled up the straight. “She didn’t handle the track and James (Doyle) looked after her when she was beaten,” said Beckett. “I think they enjoyed themselves and hopefully there will be other days for her.”
Earlier Charles and Camilla presented the connections of Luxembourg, owners Coolomore, trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore with the Holland And Cooper Coronation Cup after the five-year-old had beaten Hamish a length in the Group One.
The Oaks kicks off the start of a two-day festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse with the biggest race of the British Flat season, the Derby, taking place for the 245th time – it is one year younger than the Oaks – on Saturday.
The King has keenly supported horse racing, his mother’s favourite pastime, since ascending the throne, including attending Ascot in its entirety last year and appearing visibly moved when one of his runners, Desert Hero, crossed the line victorious. The colt went on to finish third in the St Leger when the King and Queen were at Doncaster to watch.
His niece Zara Tindall noted that Desert Hero’s win at Ascot was a “bittersweet” win for the family because their minds would have been on “how proud and excited our grandmother, the Queen, would have been”.
