‘Royal’ Shetlands race in honour of The Queen
Miniature counterparts of The Queen’s top racehorses flew past crowds at Royal Windsor racecourse in honour of Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.
The “Royal Shetland Race” was held during last night’s meeting (9 May) and all the young jockeys wore the distinctive red and purple silks.
Six Shetland ponies, temporarily renamed after The Queen’s racehorses, galloped along the Windsor straight over two-and-three-quarter furlongs.
Dunfermline (pictured, top), ridden by 13-year-old Digby Sheperd, left the rest of the field in his wake, finishing lengths ahead of second-placed Aureole and Eve Bacon.
Syd Macaulay rode Pall Mall into third.
Other contestors for the title were Carlton House, Estimate and Highclere.
Racing was later cancelled at the Berkshire course due to heavy rain.
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The original Dunfermline won two British Classics during the 1970s. A crowd favourite, he won the 1977 Oaks at Epsom and the St Leger in the same season.
Aureole’s larger namesake finished second in the Derby at Epsom during the same week as Her Majesty’s coronation in 1953.
He went on to win prestigious races at Royal Ascot and Epsom as well as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1954.
Pall Mall’s Shetland doppleganger couldn’t quite top the thoroughbred’s triumph.
Named after a road close to Buckingham Palace, he won the 2000 Guineas in 1958 — the only time The Queen has won this race.
He went on to win back-to-back Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in 1958 and 1959.
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As a further celebration of The Queen’s 90th birthday, a royal-themed fixture will take place at the racecourse on 16 May, featuring an exhibition of her racing life.
This year marks 150 years of racing in Windsor and celebratory events are planned to mark the milestone across the summer.
Watch more Shetland pony racing at the Royal Windsor Horse Show (11-16 May).
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.