Britain’s longest-serving monarch celebrates her 90th birthday today and in great news for racing it has been announced that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will present the Investec Derby trophy to the winning connections of the 2016 Investec Derby on Saturday, June 4.
HRH Queen Elizabeth (Getty Images)
This will be the first time during her reign that Her Majesty The Queen has presented this prestigious trophy.
Queen Elizabeth taking the salute at the Trooping of the Colour on Winston in 1951
This year also sees two changes to the usual order of running at the two-day Investec Derby Festival with the Listed Investec Woodcote Stakes moving to become the curtain raiser on Investec Ladies’ Day on Friday, June 3. This year the race has a £10,000 increase in the prize fund (to £50,000), an injection designed to attract even more runners of Listed quality.
The Group Three Princess Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Investec) moves from its normal Friday position to become Investec Derby Day’s second race.
The Princess Elizabeth Stakes is named in honour of Her Majesty The Queen and was first run at Epsom Downs in 1947 at the Spring Meeting.
Additionally, the Group One Coronation Cup, worth a record £400,000, will be re-named for this year as the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Cup (sponsored by Investec) in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday, which is tomorrow.
Simon Durrant, General Manager, Epsom Downs Racecourse, said: “There are 43 days until the start of the Investec Derby Festival and ticket sales are going incredibly well, with hospitality sales at a record level.
“We are very lucky to be welcoming Her Majesty The Queen back on Derby Day – I think she has missed only two during her reign – and because this is the year of her 90th birthday we have some special things going on.
“This started on Wednesday with 200 local residents outside The Queen’s Stand creating Her Majesty’s colours among a large mosaic to wish her happy birthday for tomorrow.
Ruler Of The World seen winning the Investec Derby in 2014
“This year for the first time, Her Majesty will present the Investec Derby Trophy. Ten of our local choirs, around Epsom and Ewell, are joining us to sing the National Anthem to The Queen on her arrival on Derby Day. Racegoers on course will be encouraged to join in.”
