Royal Shetland Race For The Queen’s Birthday

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© At The Races

Ponies:

1.     Aureole

Jockey: Eve Bacon

Almost crowned an amazing week for Her Majesty The Queen when finishing second in the Derby at Epsom in 1953 – the same week of her Coronation at Westminster Abbey. Later went on to win prestigious races at Royal Ascot and Epsom, as well as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1954. His effort in the Derby is the closest Queen Elizabeth II has come to winning the contest.

2.     Carlton House

Jockey: Poppy Foster

A gift from Sheikh Mohammed, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Carlton House almost carried Her Majesty The Queen’s silks to Derby glory in 2011, finishing third. A top-class horse on the track, notable career performances included finishing second in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2012 and being a narrow runner-up in one of Australia’s best middle distance contests – the Ranvet Stakes – in 2014. 

3.     Dunfermline

Jockey: Digby Sheperd

Winner of two British Classic contests – the best races in Britain – Dunfermline was arguably Her Majesty The Queen’s best racehorse. Champion of the 1977 Oaks at Epsom and the same season’s St Leger, when taking on the boys, Dunfermline endeared herself to racing fans with tenacious efforts in the best races.

4.     Estimate

Jockey: Connor Fletcher

Twice a winner at Royal Ascot, Estimate’s victory in the 2013 Gold Cup at the Royal meeting helped to send Britain wild with excitement as Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her success. An 80th birthday gift from the Aga Khan, she went on to win numerous top stayers’ races before retiring in 2014.

5.     Highclere

Jockey: Olive Nicholls

Named after the castle in Berkshire where popular TV series Downton Abbey was subsequently filmed, Highclere was a top-class filly for Her Majesty The Queen. She went on to win the 1974 1000 Guineas at Newmarket – a leading contest for female horses on the Flat. This was Queen Elizabeth II’s second British Classic success.

6.     Pall Mall

Jockey: Syd Macaulay

Named after a road close to Buckingham Palace, he won the highly-prestigious 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in 1958 for Her Majesty The Queen – her only success in the race. He would go on to be a brilliant horse in his later years, winning back-to-back Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in 1958 and 1959.