During the 70 years of her reign, The Queen has seen her colours carried by 10 horses in the Derby. None came closer to winning than the first, Aureole, who was runner-up to Pinza in 1953 just four days after Her Majesty’s coronation. Aureole gained some compensation when winning the Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs in 1954 and also won the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. He went on to enjoy a highly successful stud career, siring the 1960 Derby winner St Paddy and being crowned champion sire in 1960 and 1961.
Full record of The Queen’s Derby runners: 1953 AUREOLE (9-1) Jockey: Harry Carr Finishing Position: 2nd 1954 LANDAU (100-7) Jockey: Willie Snaith Finishing Position: 8th 1956 ATLAS (50-1) Jockey: Harry Carr Finishing Position: 5th 1957 DOUTELLE (100-6) Jockey: Harry Carr Finishing Position: 10th 1958 MINER’S LAMP (100-6) Jockey: Bill Rickaby Finishing Position: dead-heated for 6th 1959 ABOVE SUSPICION (100-6) Jockey: Doug Smith Finishing Position: 5th 1978 ENGLISH HARBOUR (12-1) Jockey: Joe Mercer Finishing Position: 18th 1979 MILFORD (15-2) Jockey: Lester Piggott Finishing Position: 10th 1981 CHURCH PARADE (25-1) Jockey: Willie Carson Finishing Position: 5th 2011 CARLTON HOUSE (5-2 Fav) Jockey: Ryan Moore Finishing position: 3rd
Over the ensuing 28 years, The Queen’s eight Derby runners struggled to match Aureole’s performance, with the best finishing position being fifth, achieved by Atlas (1956), Above Suspicion (1959) and Church Parade (1981). It was a full 30 years after Church Parade that The Queen was next represented in The Derby, by Carlton House in 2011. The first of The Queen’s horses to start as favourite, the 5-2 chance did not enjoy the clearest of runs and also lost a front shoe in the closing stages as he came home third behind Pour Moi. Edward VII, The Queen’s great grandfather, is the only reigning monarch to have owned a Derby winner – Minoru in 1909.
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