Impeccable breeding: The Queen’s filly triumphs in prestigious Gold Cup

The first reigning monarch to own the winner of the Ascot Gold Cup, which was first run in 1807, Her Majesty just managed to retain her famous composure during a thrilling four-way battle to the line.

Others were less restrained. John Warren, the Queen’s racing manager who was sitting alongside Her Majesty, was on the edge of his seat while her granddaughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, were standing and cheering as jockey Ryan Moore finally prevailed in a frantic finish.

As Moore paraded the 7-2 favourite – the subject of a massive patriotic punt – in front of the packed Ladies’ Day grandstands, the Queen lifted her right arm and waved in triumph in the general direction of Estimate while clutching a racecard in her left hand.

It was her most significant victory since Dunfermline’s Oaks and St Leger successes in 1977.

The Queen had showed no sign of nerves during the preliminaries as she laughed with Moore and Sir Michael Stoute, Estimate’s pensive trainer. Her lavender dress bore a striking resemblance to the colours of the Royal runner.

There were huge cheers when she received the Gold Cup from the Duke of York in a reversal of roles – the Queen traditionally presents this trophy.

Her grandson, Peter Phillips, said the arrangements were only finalised in the race’s aftermath.

“This is her life,” he added. “Every year she is here and strives to have winners. To have the big one at Royal Ascot means so much to her.”