Queen’s Horse Estimate Wins Royal Ascot Gold Cup - and Place in History [PHOTOS]

Queen Elizabeth's horse Estimate has won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and a place in the royal history books. It was the first time a runner owned by a monarch won the race in its 207-year history.

The Queen watched from the royal box and pictures show her happy reaction to the win.

The Gold Cup was then given to her by her son Prince Andrew. Her grandson Peter Phillips told Channel 4: "It's amazing. This is her passion and her life and she's here every year and she strives to have winners.

"To win the big one at Royal Ascot means so much to her."

Estimate was ridden by Ryan Moore, who said: "All we had was this race in mind. It's great to ride any winner for the Queen but to do it in the Gold Cup is very special.

"We had a good draw and the pace wasn't mad at the beginning. She relaxed so well over the final furlongs."

Estimate was not a clear winner for most of the race - she was in fifth place as she passed the grandstand for the first time.

Sir Michael Stoute, her trainer, told the BBC that the race was a "tough task" and he had not been confident of a win.

"[Estimate's] preparation had gone well and she was bred to have a big chance of getting the trip but she had to step up to beat these boys," he said.

The Queen has attended Ascot every year since 1945 and has won 21 other races there.

Estimate won the Queen's Vase at Ascot in 2012.