racingbetter.co.uk
racing news  

racing_news/

 

The Queen Heads to Ascot for Carlton Champion Stakes Bid
07/10/11

The powers that be at Ascot have reportedly been jumping for joy at the news that The Queen has agreed to attend the event and present the trophy for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Britain's first ever £1 million horse race, on October 15, writes Elliot Slater.

Carlton House
© Racehorse Photos

Carlton House

With most horseracing experts of the opinion that the lion's share of the record-breaking prize is as good as in the bank for the seemingly unbeatable Frankel, (who currently dominates the ante-post market at odds of just 1/3), there has been growing speculation that Her Majesty's own horse Carlton House could be just as big a reason for her taking the time to visit the Berkshire track. Even people concentrating on the Breeders Cup betting will have at least one eye on this race.

Carlton House (entered in the Champion Stakes), was the subject of a media frenzy in the build-up to the Investec Derby at Epsom in June, having landed the Group 2 Dante Stakes in fine style from Seville on his previous outing. Coming hot on the heels of the royal wedding, the presence of The Queen's horse as favourite for Britain's most famous Flat race put horse racing onto the front page of daily newspapers around the world, but despite running his heart out in an attempt to provide his owner with her first ever Derby winner, the son of Street Cry could only finish third (beaten just one length), behind the French sensation Pour Moi.

Sent off the 5/4 favourite for the Irish equivalent at the Curragh three weeks later, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt looked to be feeling the effects of his Epsom run in finishing a laboured two-length fourth to Ballydoyle's Treasure Beach. A nice mid-term break will doubtless have done the royal three-year-old a power of good, and there would be few more popular winners at Ascot if Carlton House (generally on offer at 14/1), could bounce back and win the coveted Champion Stakes under Ryan Moore.

tumpline internet home | associations | bloodstock agents | bookmakers | information | horses | jockeys | links | overseas | portals | racecourses | race horse trainers | sales | studs | syndicates | submit site email
© racingbetter.co.uk • 91 Tribune Drive • Carlisle • CA3 0LE