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Queen Elizabeth II's enduring devotion to horse racing was summed up by a remark during her speech at King Charles' marriage to the future Queen Camilla. Elizabeth had been an avid equestrian enthusiast from childhood, having been just three years old when she enjoyed her first riding lesson.

The following year, she was given her first pony, Peggy, and maintained her passion for riding until she was 90. While she chose not to attend the Grand National because of its elevated horse fatality rate, as a former racehorse owner, she routinely had her horses compete at Aintree Racecourse. Her lifelong affection for horses was abundantly evident as she delivered her speech at Charles and Camilla's 2005 wedding. On the morning of their nuptials, Camilla was reportedly so anxious that she wouldn't get out of bed.

Nevertheless, the then-Queen's reassuring words, which coincided with the Grand National where she had a horse competing, alleviated Camilla's anxieties. Elizabeth revealed to the assembled guests that her horse, Hedgehunter, had triumphed at Aintree.

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Her subsequent announcement was more intimate, conveying her delight at welcoming Camilla into the family. She said of the newly-weds: "They have overcome Becher's Brook and The Chair and all kinds of other terrible obstacles.

"They have come through and I'm very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves."

The late monarch adhered to a daily ritual of staying informed about all matters concerning horse racing by reading the Racing Post each morning, John Warren, her racing manager, revealed in 2021: "Every race that takes place every day of the week, the Queen will certainly read the Racing Post every morning.

"[She'll] look at the breeding of all the winners the day before and see that these stallions that she uses will be potential horses for her own mares."

Elizabeth was especially passionate about flat racing and was a regular attendee at The Derby and Royal Ascot. Her association with the Royal Studs at Sandringham commenced when she inherited them in 1952.

Through her devotion to horses, she developed extensive knowledge of thoroughbred breeding. Historians suggest she possessed greater expertise than any of her predecessors, due to her interest in the science underlying it.