King Charles III appeared to be disappointed on Thursday after his first race since receiving his late mother Queen Elizabeth II’s extensive stable of racehorses finished in second place.
Since the death of Britain’s longest-reigning king on September 8, the three-year-old colt named Educator was the first horse to wear the royal colours of purple, red, and gold.
The Queen’s Educator, who competed in a handicap at Salisbury, did not, however, have a happily ever after triumph.
The William Haggas-trained, 11-10 favourite that Tom Marquand was riding finished much behind the 7-4 winner Okeechobee.
Marquand told the BBC, “The aim was to win and it didn’t go to plan — that’s horse racing.
“It’s a new period, which is both exhilarating and depressing. Like the majority of people, all I have ever known is the Queen, and it has been passed down to the King. She put so much effort and emotion into it, and it’s wonderful that her legacy is being carried on in this way.”
“He (Educator) ran all right, but he’s been a long time off the track and he’s a big fella who is pretty full of himself and he needs racing, basically,” said Maureen Haggas, the trainer’s wife.
