The Queen is vibrant in pale pink as she watches comeback kid Frankie Dettori race to victory in Champion Stakes at Ascot
- The Queen was all smiles as she attended the QIPCO British Champions Day
- Frankie Dettori emerged victorious in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
- The 91-year-old monarch looked vibrant in a pink bouclé coat with pearl buttons
The Queen was all smiles today as she watched comeback kid Frankie Dettori race to victory at Ascot.
The 46-year-old Italian emerged victorious in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes with his horse Persuasive.
Without a prior win this season, the four-year-old filly was sent off on an 8-1 chance to beat the field and quickened up smartly to win in style.
Pretty in pink: The 91-year-old monarch looked vibrant in a pink bouclé coat with a bluish hue with large pearl buttons and matching feathered hat
Dettori, who performed his trademark flying dismount in the winner's enclosure, said: 'She travelled so well, the ground is so key to her.
'She has an exceptional turn of foot and put the race to bed very quickly.'
The jockey look delighted as he accepted the race trophy from Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's 91-year-old monarch and an avid racing fan who braved the blustery conditions at Britain's richest race day.
The victory represents a incredible comeback for Dettori who was absent from Royal Ascot earlier this year due to an arm injury which he sustained in a paddock fall at Yarmouth.
The head of state accessorized with a matching feathered hat and a Launer ‘Traviata’ handbag
Dettori is already something of a legend at the racecourse, where his statue stands in recognition of his 25,095-1 seven-timer in 1996. In all, since 1990, he has notched 56 Royal Ascot winners and secured the affections of the wider public.
Described as the 'richest raceday in the British calendar', the QIPCO British Champions Day is the finale of the European Flat racing season.
Arriving at the event, The Queen looked vibrant in a pink bouclé coat with a bluish hue with large pearl buttons.
The head of state accessorised with a matching feathered hat, a Launer ‘Traviata’ handbag, her trademark pearls and a brooch adorned with diamonds and pink gem.
The keen horse enthusiast looked in good spirits as she took in the day's equine events and mingled with the crowd.
Also present at today's event was ITV presenter Carol Vordeman who was spotted screaming with delight in the stands. She looked elegant in a figure-hugging grey dress with a plunging neckline, a matching coat and bold fascinator.
The former Countdown star, 56, posed alongside model Jodie Kidd who covered up against the autumn chill in a fur-lined beige jacket and matching trousers.
Her Majesty is famous for her love of horses and first found herself in the saddle at the age of four after being presented with a Shetland pony, named Peggy
Recent years have seen The Queen cut down on the amount of time she spends in the saddle but she still takes a keen interest in all her horses and ponies
Persuasive, ridden by Frankie Dettori, emerged victorious in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Without a prior win this season, the four-year-old filly was sent off an 8-1 chance to beat the boys and quickened up smartly to win in style
Victory: Frankie Dettori leaps from Persuasive as he wins the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Sprinter Adam Gemili and track and field athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson also made an appearance.
Katarina opted for a sheer black cold-shoulder dress with a blue and pink detailed neckline and white strappy sandals while Adam sported a textured grey suit with a contrasting red silk tie.
Love Island's Olivia Attwood looked chic in a beige coat and thigh-high boots alongside co-star Chris Hughes who looked dapper in a royal blue suit.
Despite their volatile relationship on the ITV2 show, the pair put on loved-up display as they posed for the cameras.
Also present at the event was Carol Vordeman who looked elegant in a figure-hugging grey dress with a matching coat and bold fascinator
Excitement: Carol Vordeman and friend Clare Holt watch the races
Victory! Carol Vordeman raises her arms in the air as she celebrates a win with friend Clare Holt
Athletes Adam Gemili and Katarina Johnson-Thompson during the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse
Her Majesty is famous for her love of horses and first found herself in the saddle at the age of four after being presented with a Shetland pony, named Peggy.
Since then the royal stables have been home to a succession of steeds, among them Betsy, a black farm-bred horse which was her mount of choice in the '50s, and Surprise, a grey gelding whom the Queen famously galloped down the course at Ascot in 1961.
Recent years have seen her cut down on the amount of time she spends in the saddle but she still takes a keen interest in all her horses and ponies.
She also remains a familiar sight at the Windsor Castle stables and regularly rides in the park, often accompanied by Mr Pendry.
And Her Majesty is so determined to keep them in tip-top condition that it was revealed last year that she spent £130,000 on the UK’s largest automatic horse-walker at her stud farm in Sandringham.
The device – a treadmill for horses – will allow just one member of staff to exercise up to 18 horses at the same time on a 330ft-long oval-shaped enclosed track.
The yard’s existing walker can accommodate only six horses.
The treadmill is divided into compartments that individual horses can be put into.
Barriers hang from an overhead rail and move at a selected speed, forcing horses to walk or trot to keep pace so that they exercise themselves without carrying riders.
(L-R) Cricketer Jonny Bairstow with Love Island stars Olivia Attwood and Chris Hughes during the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse
Despite their volatile relationship on the ITV2 show, Chris Hughes and Olivia Attwood put on loved-up display as they posed for the cameras
(L-R) Jodie Kidd, Carol Vorderman and friend Clare Holt during the QIPCO British Champions Day
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