The Queen “so excited” as Carlton House made Derby favourite

The Queen is said to be “really, really excited and so thrilled” after her Carlton House won the Dante Stakes at York today.

John Warren, The Queen’s racing manager, said: “We were on the phone during the race and there was so much screaming, we were both so excited!

“She is absolutely thrilled and this will mean so much to her.”

Carlton House’s victory has propelled him to favourite for next month’s Derby, a race The Queen is yet to win. The Dante is traditionally the strongest Derby trial for the Epsom Classic and, although the pace of the race was messy, Carlton House pleased connections when weaving though the field to win.

The victory continued a good week for Her Majesty — at Royal Windsor, her 20-year-old St James won his veteran ridden class and stood reserve veteran champion, while her small riding horse Stardust finished second in its class.

She has 14 entries, her biggest number ever, for the show this year, so will be hoping for more good results throughout the week.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now