PAYING TRIBUTE TO HER LATE MAJESTY THE QUEEN CONSORT LEADS THE FIELD AS ROYALS AND CELEBRITIES ENJOY CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
REPORT: TRACY SCHAVERIEN
I t’s known as the sport of kings but last week it was the Queen Consort enjoying a day at the races along with her fellow royal horse-loving ladies at the Cheltenham Festival.
Her Majesty, 75, stepped out for Ladies’ Day in a long beige coat, furry hat and matching suede boots – and paid a touching tribute to the late Queen by wearing a treasured horse brooch that had belonged to her mother-in-law.
Depicting a horse bearing a jockey wearing the Queen’s racing colours, the one-of-a-kind gold and diamond-encrusted piece was a 90th birthday gift to the monarch in 2016 from the Racing Post newspaper, commissioned from Birmingham-based jewellers Alabaster & Wilson.
A lifelong racing fan herself, Camilla was delighted to present the Queen Mother Champion Chase trophy to Paul Townend, who romped home on Energumen, Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom’s horse.
Also enjoying the fun were the King’s niece Zara Tindall and her husband Mike, who attended on all four days and were among the crowds to cheer on Paul to triumph once more.
The jockey rounded up the festival on the last day by taking home its most prestigious prize, the Gold Cup, on Galopin Des Champs, with the trophy being presented to him by Zara’s mother the Princess Royal, herself an equestrian and former jockey.
FRIENDS REUNITED
Speaking on TV coverage last Friday, Zara – who was backing Paul and Galopin Des Champs – said: “The Gold Cup is one the most incredible races we have in the calendar. It’s really exciting to be here.
“It’s been an incredible week – unbelievable scenes – and I’m very honoured to be a part of it. Such an incredible day of sport.”
Both Zara and Mike have official roles at the racecourse, with Mike in hospitality and Zara a non-executive director who sits on the committee, a position she adores.
“I’m loving being on the committee at Cheltenham,” she has said. “It’s so much fun, the other side of racing and seeing how everything comes together. It’s a fun week, but it’s hard work as well.”
Former England rugby union international Mike agreed, quipping: “It’s a hard week. My tipple skills are probably better than my tipping skills.”
Zara, whose outfits during the week included a burgundy Karen Millen fitted coat and a matching Juliette Botterill hat, also caught up with good friend and Sky Sports presenter Natalie Pinkham, and the two women chatted happily together as they strolled hand in hand arou
