It looks like Queen Elizabeth will have to wait at least another year to break her duck in the English Derby.
Carlton House, who is owned by the Queen, started the English Derby as one of the shortest priced favourites in recent memory, however he could only manage third in the race won by French horse Pour Moi.
It has now been 60 years since the Queen first entered a horse in the Derby. She is still yet to taste success in the race.
The Queen’s racing manager, John Warren said that Carlton House missed the kick and never got into a winning position.
“He (Jockey Ryan Moore) felt if the circumstances had been different so would the result. I would say it was just the run of the race that did us no favours. If he takes on the same horses again who knows the result might be different,” said Warren.
Carlton House came into the Derby under an injury cloud, and was only confirmed as a definite starter on the Friday before the race. Despite the injury concerns he was sent out as a 5/2 favourite.
Trainer Michael Stout said that he still had faith that Carlton House would go on to have a very successful career.
“He’s run very well but things just haven’t gone right. During the race he just got too far back then had to run wide into the straight.
“He’s still a high class colt and he will have a big day,” said Stout.
While much of the post-race focus was on the Queen, Andre Fabre was busy celebrating the win of his colt in one of the world’s most prestigious three year old races.
“He is such a good horse. He accelerated twice, once to catch up and then again.
“It’s such a pleasure to win this race with my young jockey in front of a big crowd. I couldn’t be more happy.” Fabre said.
Jockey Mickael Barzalona rode a perfect race on Pour Moi, unleashing a powerful finishing burst up the final straight to claim victory.
“I always felt confident during the race, and even though I was at the back the other good horses were just in front of me. For a while I thought I would be fourth or fifth, but he just accelerated.
Treasure Beach finished second, giving Coolmore Stud the Quinella in the race, while Carlton House was third.
The victory did not impress the English handicappers, who gave Pour Moi a rating of 122. It is the lowest rating given to a Derby winner since 2006. Conversely, 2000 Guineas winner Frankel has a rating of 130, while Workforce returned a 128 for his win in last year’s Derby.