Crowning glory to come after success in the Dante

Though historians will note May 12, 2011, as the day Her Majesty became the second longest-serving monarch in Britain’s history, she will remember perhaps with even more pride how her three-year-colt won the totesport Dante Stakes, a Derby dress rehearsal.

Her racing manager, John Warren, had to provide a running commentary from York – he later disclosed that the Queen let out a victorious “yelp” as her charge crossed the winning line in style.

Yet, while Carlton House’s speed and battling qualities were paramount as he outfought Aidan O’Brien’s well-backed favourite, the race – a muddling affair with little pace early on – was effectively won on trainer Sir Michael Stoute’s Newmarket gallops 10 days ago.

This is where Stoute, who was winning his sixth Dante, had been patiently building the Royal horse’s speed and stamina – ground permitting during drought-like weather – with Her Majesty witnessing a crucial workout 10 days ago in person.

While the Queen has played down her desire to win the Derby, it is the only Classic missing from her racing CV after Aureole was denied in 1953 – Coronation year.

This explains why Carlton House was nursed up the York straight by jockey Ryan Moore. The far greater test, he says, comes in three weeks’ time when Carlton House attempts to become the fourth horse in the last decade to land the Dante-Derby double.

A Derby, he pointed out, cannot be won during a trial race, but it can be lost if the horse has an unduly hard race.

“He has done well there. It was a horrible race as they didn’t go any pace,” said Moore, last year’s Derby-winning jockey. “He still showed a very good turn of foot. His work has been very good at home. We were pushed to the start – it was a messy, stupid race. It’s only his third race and it’s a nice race to win.”

As Moore alluded, the early pace did not help – Carlton House and Henry Cecil’s World Domination, a bitterly disappointing fourth, did not settle while Pisco Sour set the pace before Seville ominously moved into contention.

Yet Moore, the former champion jockey, bided his time and waited for the gaps to open. Once they did, Carlton House and Seville had a pulsating duel and came close for a stride or two before the winner showed his superiority to win by a length-and-a-half.

But, while the jockey was taciturn in his response, Stoute suggested that the best was still to come as bookmakers cut Carlton House’s Derby odds to clear 6-4 favouritism.

“He learned a bit and I was delighted. He went through a tight opening and let’s hope he can progress a bit more from that,” said the trainer.

On this form, Seville appears to be Carlton House’s greatest danger – the rematch in the Derby will be one of Flat racing’s most anticipated contests for years – with World Domination, the previous ante-post favourite, an unlikely runner after floundering.

It comes after O’Brien confirmed Seville’s likely Epsom participation. “It was a very good race and a very good trial,” he said. “We are delighted with our fellow, but the winner picked up better than we did. We can’t complain, and the likelihood is he’ll go to Epsom.”

Having beaten the record of King George III, who died in 1820, after spending 59 years and 97 days on the throne, the Queen’s reign is now second only to Queen Victoria.

Her next landmark is next week’s historic State visit to Ireland, and a visit to the National Stud, where she can assess Seville’s pedigree.

She can now go to both Ireland and then Epsom on June 4 with confidence, says the aforementioned Warren, who was pessimistic before the Dante. “That was better than I expected. I loved the way he went through the gap as it shows he’d have no trouble with a course like Epsom where you might get trouble,” he revealed.

“I talked to Her Majesty through the race and she was concerned about the lack of pace but when he went through the gap she let out a yelp!

“I think the fact they went no gallop could benefit him as he has only raced for three furlongs. The Queen will be at Epsom and this will mean a lot to her. It is fantastic for racing and if she can help the industry, all the better.”