Queen Elizabeth II won over eight million in horse racing

The late monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is said to have earned more than eight million pounds through her passion for horse racing. No stocks, no offshore accounts, but thoroughbred with family tree rain millions. What started like an aristocratic pastime became a highly lucrative business. The Queen recorded over 3400 starts in horse races as a horse owner, 566 of her horses went over the finish line as the winner.

If you calculate prize money, ceilings and breeding, there is a proud sum of around £ 8.7 million alone in officials – this corresponds to around 10 million euros today. But connoisseurs know that this is just the tip of the haystack.

Because if you like Elizabeth II for decades, work with top coaches and regularly wins at Royal Ascot or Epsom in the background. The descendants of their winning stallions became coveted stallions, every successful mare to the gold pit. With clever planning, instinct – and an incorruptible eye for quality. “She has known all of the blood lines for decades,” said coaching legend Richard Hannon Senior.

The deceased queen was often smiled at for her conservative attitude, but in the barn it was more modern than many thought. She discussed feed compositions, knew about wood shavings and paid attention to management down to the smallest detail. “She is very interested in stable management – and the happiest when it comes to the details,” wrote biographer Ben Pimlott.

The most charming episode of her career as a racing team owner took place in Epsom in 1991. The Queen, at the beginning of 60, took part in a small sweepstake with Queen Mum – a kind of competition with little use. Your horse “Generous” won. “This is my horse, isn’t it? This is my horse!” She called, except for joy, “Oh my god, mother! We won!” When she was given the win of 16 pounds, she said: “Sixteen pounds! Oh! How nice of them”, she smiled in the BBC documentary “Elizabeth R.”, who held this moment to have been forever.

The royal heritage continues to live after her death. Son Charles took over the stable. In 2023 he celebrated his first victory with “Desert Hero” at Royal Ascot. But the way to the horse whisperer crown is long. At this year’s event, Charles’ hope “Reaching High” remained pale – and only landed in ninth place. The Queen wouldn’t have been matter of it. She was never just about victory or defeat. It was about the horse, the line, the overall picture. “If the Queen hadn’t been the queen, she would have given up a wonderful trainer,” said her racing advisor John Warren.