The Queen enjoys Royal Ascot and QIPCO British Champions Series glory

Estimate in the Royal colours holds off the late thrust of Simenon in the Gold Cup. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

It could not have been scripted better.

After Lady Cecil won her first Royal Ascot race, the Ribblesdale Stakes with Riposte, in memory of Sir Henry who died last week, in the next race The Queen won the Gold Cup with Estimate to crown a memorable afternoon.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly showed tremendous courage to hold off the late challenges of Simenon and Top Trip, prevailing by neck at the line.

The Queen became the first reigning monarch to win the meeting’s oldest and most historic race.

Simenon, who had won twice at the Royal Meeting last year, showed his love of the track with a fine second place, with the QIPCO Yorkshire Cup runner-up, Top Trip, a length back in third.

Colour Vision, last year’s winner, ran a great race on ground that was plenty fast enough for him in fourth.

Rite Of Passage, High Jinx, Biographer and Aaim To Prosper were all non-runners because of the firm ground.

There was jubilation in the Royal Box up the home straight as Estimate took it up under Ryan Moore and held off the late challenges.

Sir Michael Stoute, winning his second Gold Cup, said: "She had a great position and she’s done so well to hold off the boys.

"It’s a tremendous thrill and we know how much The Queen loves the game."

"She’s absolutely delighted, she loves racing, she loves her thoroughbreds and she’s delighted to have had a girl beat the boys.

"It was a mammoth task and I knew she would have to improve again to win, but things had gone very smoothly with her.

"Tripwise obviously there had to be doubts but the distaff side of her pedigree screams stamina, so that didn’t worry me so much.

"When Simenon came I thought he would beat us, but she’s so full of guts, isn’t she?

"She’s so very relaxed in her races and that’s why she is such a good staying mare.

"I think she’s had a hard race there and she’ll definitely have a break now."