A fan of horse racing from a young age, then-Princess Elizabeth is seen walking through the paddock at the Epsom Downs racecourse during the derby on May 27, 1950. An appearance at Epsom Derby would be her first official engagement as queen several years later.
A right, royal day at the races —
A fan of horse racing from a young age, then-Princess Elizabeth is seen walking through the paddock at the Epsom Downs racecourse during the derby on May 27, 1950. An appearance at Epsom Derby would be her first official engagement as queen several years later.
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Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh with members of the royal family including the late Queen Mother, at the Epsom Derby on June 2, 1977.
A right, royal day at the races —
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh with members of the royal family including the late Queen Mother, at the Epsom Derby on June 2, 1977.
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Queen Elizabeth II seen here with stud manager Sir Michael Oswald, watching the Derby in 1980. One of the queen's trainers, Andrew Balding says: "She is a very well informed and keen owner, probably the best-informed owner in the country."
queen stud manager —
Queen Elizabeth II seen here with stud manager Sir Michael Oswald, watching the Derby in 1980. One of the queen's trainers, Andrew Balding says: "She is a very well informed and keen owner, probably the best-informed owner in the country."
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Despite being one of the UK's best-known owners and breeders of racehorses, with around 30 horses currently in training, the queen has yet to claim victory at the Epsom Derby.
A right, royal day at the races —
Despite being one of the UK's best-known owners and breeders of racehorses, with around 30 horses currently in training, the queen has yet to claim victory at the Epsom Derby.
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Her Majesty pictured with race goers during the Ever Ready Derby at Epsom racecourse in Epsom, England. It is said in racing circles that the British sovereign's reading material of choice over her breakfast is the Racing Post.
A right, royal day at the races —
Her Majesty pictured with race goers during the Ever Ready Derby at Epsom racecourse in Epsom, England. It is said in racing circles that the British sovereign's reading material of choice over her breakfast is the Racing Post.
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Perhaps her best chance to capture the Derby came last year with Carlton House. The red-hot favorite to win but bad luck in running and the loss of a shoe relegated the queen's runner to third.
A right, royal day at the races —
Perhaps her best chance to capture the Derby came last year with Carlton House. The red-hot favorite to win but bad luck in running and the loss of a shoe relegated the queen's runner to third.
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A right royal day at the races

Story highlights

Queen Elizabeth's passion for horse breeding started early

Still passionate almost a century later

Joy comes from the "journey" not winning

CNN  — 

The Queen may be entering her 10th decade but her passion for breeding racehorses is by no means diminishing.

It’s a hobby that has lasted almost a century and those who know her best recall the first time her enthusiasm for horses was kindled.

“It’s an in-built passion,” said John Warren, Bloodstock & Racing Advisor to Queen Elizabeth II.

“It started when she was a teenager and she had hairy little ponies – then her father introduced her to a thoroughbred.

“When she touched the skin of the thoroughbred she didn’t want to wash her hands for the rest of the day, so she got really addicted to it very young and nothing has diminished or changed over all these years.”

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You could be forgiven for thinking that all the joy in horse breeding comes from watching your mount win high-profile races.

But, certainly for Her Majesty, most of the satisfaction comes from seeing the horse develop from foal to steed.

“The Queen loves the journey of breeding a racehorse,” Warren explains.

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He added: “So it’s not about winning the Group Ones that’s important to the Queen, it’s about the journey of each horse that she breeds.”