Estimate became the first horse owned by a reigning monarch to win Royal Ascot’s Gold Cup, in 2013.
Estimate was owned by Queen Elizabeth II and trained by Sir Michael Stoute. Ridden by Ryan Moore, the mare won the Gold Cup over two and a half miles at Royal Ascot on 20 June 2013. Her victory was a landmark for the Queen, who had long been one of Britain’s most prominent racehorse owners.
The Gold Cup is Royal Ascot’s premier staying race and tests stamina rather than sprinting speed. Estimate had already shown strong staying ability before stepping up to the historic contest.
Yeats is often confused with Estimate because he is one of the Gold Cup’s greatest winners, taking the race four consecutive times from 2006 through 2009. Estimate’s special distinction was her royal ownership and her status as the first reigning monarch’s horse to win the race.