King Charles III claims his first Royal Ascot winner

ASCOT, England –

King Charles III has claimed his first Royal Ascot winner as reigning monarch.

Watching the race alongside Queen Camilla from the Royal Enclosure, the King saw Desert Hero – clad in the royal silk and an 18-1 shot – win by a short head in the King George V Stakes on Thursday.

“Royal winners at the royal meeting are extremely special, especially this one,” said jockey Tom Marquand. “It will live high in my career, probably at the top for the rest of my days in the saddle.”

The King and Queen waved to Marquand and Desert Hero after the race.

Desert Hero’s trainer, William Haggas, said, “The King and Queen are absolutely thrilled.”

“Obviously it’s very important for racing, but it’s important that the King and Queen enjoy it, which they clearly seem to be doing, and may it continue to do so for a long time to come,” said Haggas.

The late Queen Elizabeth II was a huge fan of horse racing and had 24 winners at Royal Ascot during her long reign.