Five of the best: Our top champions owned by The Queen

Queen Elizabeth II was a huge supporter of the horse racing industry and had many successes throughout her life. Here’s our top five champions who were owned by The Queen below!

5. Carrozza

This is probably the horse that really ignited The Queen’s love of Flat racing. Carrozza was Her Majesty’s first Classic winner, landing the 1954 Epsom Oaks. Trained by Noel Murless at Warren Place in Newmarket, the filly was given a stunning ride by the legendary Lestor Piggott in a thrilling finish.

4. Highclere

Born in 1971, The Queen got her hands on another top class filly in Highclere. Trained by Dick Hern in Berkshire, the filly went on to win the 1000 Guineas in 1974, and she also went on the win the Prix de Diane in France. Highclere did very well at stud, producing Height Of Fashion, who herself went on to give birth to Derby winner Nashwan.

3. Pall Mall

Sent off a big price for the 2000 Guineas in 1958, Pall Mall defied the odds to win another Classic for The Queen. Her Majesty was not present on the day due to an illness at the time, but she went on to see him win the Lockinge in 1958 and 1959.

2. Estimate

In more recent times, Estimate was a thrilling horse and ranks number two on our list. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the filly was given to The Queen as an 80th birthday gift from Aga Khan, and what a gift she turned out to be. She won the Queen’s Vase  in 2012 before going on to win the following season’s Gold Cup under Ryan Moore.

1. Dunfermline

Without question The Queen’s greatest ever horse, Dunfermline is the champion of them all. This filly won the Pretty Polly before going on to land the Epsom Oaks in 1977, and then went on to land the St. Leger in the same year. It’s hard to knock a double Classic champion off top spot.