Desert Hero brought the King and Queen a historic success at Royal Ascot in royal silk, winning at King George V Stakes on 22 June 18-1.
The 3-year-old pony rushed in late under the lead of Tom Marquand to win the word Brave King and gave King Charles III his first success at a royal meeting since Queen Elizabeth II’s death last September.
The winner was coached by William Haggas, who took part in the royal procession before the race on Wednesday. It is only King’s fourth runner at Royal Ascot this week and the odds are more than double that of his first three. The late queen gave birth to a chestnut son of star sea .
The king accepted the award alongside Queen Camilla, who can be seen in tears in TV images of the royal box after the surprise victory. Zara Tindall, granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, said the victory was bittersweet for the royal family.
She told ITV: “Think of how proud our grandmother, the Queen, would be. Having a winner for Charles and Camilla and keeping that dream alive is incredible. Like all owners who come here and have a horse here having that dream, that hope, and then having it done is unbelievable.
“The horses are the main game here, which is why we’re in and love them and the competition, the adrenaline—it’s indescribable.”
Marquand said it was one of the biggest wins of his career. This is his fourth time at Royal Ascot and the first at this year’s meeting.
He said: “Honestly, it was one of the proudest moments I’ve had in the saddle so far. It’s not quite as much as Estimate but I’ve grown up watching horses like that. win for the Queen and ride to the first place of the King Royal Ascot Winner was unbelievable.It was a dream.
Desert Hero (outside) defeats Valiant King in King George V Stakes at Ascot . Racecourse
“Race has a great way of making things happen as they are intended. Wednesday was a tough day, in terms of racing, but Royal Ascot was the pinnacle. Riding a royal winner at Royal meeting is special.
“I had to put a needle through the eye of the needle but he played incredibly well. As the Haggas team has shown time and time again, they just have to get it right again and again.”
