The Queen is to be the royal patron of York Racecourse, it was revealed tonight (Sunday).
The racecourse said it was “both honoured and thrilled that Her Majesty The Queen has agreed to be the royal patron”.
Both the King and the Queen have a keen interest in racing and breeding, with the bloodstock interests of the late Queen Elizabeth II having passed into their joint ownership.
Her role at York Racecourse builds on existing links to the sport for the Queen. She is already patron of the National Stud as well as being president of the Ebony Horse Club, a riding charity in Brixton.
As the then Duchess of Cornwall, she watched the Ralph Beckett-trained Pacify finish in second place at the Dante Festival at York in 2016.
Pacify entered the Knavesmire Winner’s Enclosure at the July meeting in 2018, bookend by second-placed finishes in the Queen Mother’s Cup in June and at the Ebor Festival.
York Racecourse chairman Bridget Guerin said: “We are both honoured and thrilled that Her Majesty has agreed to be the royal patron of York.
“Her well-known support of equestrian sports over many years so very much appreciated by everyone involved.
“We have been privileged to host royal visits in the past and very much look forward to welcoming Her Majesty back to York.”
The new season at York begins with the start of the three-day Dante Festival on Wednesday (15 May).