Ted Bassett, former president and president of the Keeneland Association, holds fond memories of the day Queen Elizabeth II saw the Lexington racetrack.
Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September and her funeral was on 19 September. Date of her visit Keeneland was October 11, 1984, and was the occasion of the first run of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (now G1T).
The Queen not only visited the track, but also brought and presented the race trophy she had chosen to deliver rather than asking Keeneland to produce it. Crafted by Asprey in London, the trophy is a sterling silver love trophy with a lid, Georgian design. The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Trophy, now presented by Dixiana, has been renewed every year since, and each year the winner’s name is engraved on the body of the trophy.
While the first version of the race was conducted for 3-year-olds at 1/16 of a mile on the main track, the event has become one of America’s most important races for athletes. 3 year old kid in the grass. The wallet was originally $100,000 and has grown to $500,000. Bassett credits the late David Hedges for the initial suggestion of inviting the Queen to Keeneland. The English player Hedges was Keeneland’s representative in Europe at the time.
Highlights from the experience of meeting and escorting Queen Elizabeth II brought a smile to Bassett’s face:
- “I remember going down to the front of the club to meet her for the first time. We were taught to wait until she reached out her hand to you before you reached out. I remember I was shaking like that. anyway, but within the first few minutes she got you comfortable.”
- “Her humanity was immediately apparent. She began commenting on the beauty and history of Keeneland, and she preferred to look beyond the racetrack to the open Bluegrass country.”
- “She asks intelligent questions and her care puts you at ease.”
- “The welcome she received from the crowd was very meaningful. As we passed the oars and the stands, polite applause broke out. The applause was not hoarse, but meritorious. get respect.”
- “His Majesty invited Lucy (Mrs. Bassett) and I to Royal Ascot next summer, and we had lunch with her there. pleasant experience.”
- The first edition of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Trophy was won by Sintra of Cherry Valley Ranch, Drone’s daughter — Misty Plum, on Misty Day. She was coached by Steven Penrod, and Keith Allen was on board. This year’s race will take place on October 15, and Keeneland plans to honor the Queen’s memory.
