Bookies take a hammering from King Charles' winning horse
Bookies take a hammering as backers of King Charles’ horse, Desert Hero, collect more than £1MILLION after His Majesty picked up his first Ascot trophy by winning the King George V handicap
- King Charles picked up his first Royal Ascot trophy with Desert Hero on Thursday
- The three-year-old, bred by his late mother, clinched a win in the King George V
- Paddy Power claim that backers picked collected more than £1m on the horse
Bookies took a hit as scores of fans were rewarded for placing a bet on King Charles’ horse at Royal Ascot on Thursday.
Charles and his wife Camila broke down in tears as they secured their first ever Ascot win – before the King knocked over the trophy in an emotional moment on the podium.
After two of his horses failed to win during Wednesday’s action, the King and the Queen’s consort were left jubilant after Desert Hero won the King George V handicap.
Desert Hero admirably held off Valiant King in a thrilling conclusion to the race, securing a victory for the horse who had not been among the favourites among bookmakers.
Paddy Power have claimed in a statement that while bookies would be happy that the race favourite failed to take victory, it was an even better day for those who backed the King’s horse.
Paddy Power in a statement have claimed that backers of King Charles’ horse Desert Hero (pictured) have collected more than £1m after winning the King George V handicap
King Charles (right) was overcome with emotion after Desert Hero’s victory on Thursday
It marked King Charles’ first ever Royal Ascot trophy at the first time the event has been held since the death of Queen Elizabeth in September
Rachael Kane, a spokesperson for Paddy Power commented: ‘There’s no doubt that this marks a Royal affair to remember for King Charles after he cheered home his first ever winner with the Queen’s Consort, Camila by his side at flat racing’s most prestigious event.
‘Our traders didn’t rate the William Haggas trained horse and put him at long odds of 18-1. But even at those odds, thousands of British racing fans weren’t put off.
‘While ultimately the result was a good one for the bookies with the favourite, Perfuse (4-1) getting beaten, it was an even better one for the hordes of punters that placed small bets on His Majesty’s horse.’
This year marks the first time the event has been held since the Queen – a massive racing fan – passed away last September.
Charles has some way to go to catch up to his late mother – who had over 24 Ascot victories.
Speaking to ITV, Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara Tindall said: ‘It’s bittersweet to think how proud and excited the Queen would have been.
‘To have a winner for Charles and Camilla and to keep that dream alive. And besides all that, what a race!’
The couple’s trainer William Haggas added: ‘They’re absolutely thrilled.
Desert Hero held off Valiant King by a head to clinch victory in the King George V handicap
King Charles shakes hands with winning jockey Tom Marquand following the race
The King accidentally knocked over the trophy before the presentation for Marquand
‘They’ve been looking forward to Ascot for a long time, it’s very important for horse racing, important the King and Queen enjoy it.’
Desert Hero, is a three-year-old bred by the late Queen Elizabeth, so it was fitting that the horse was the one to give her son his first taste of success at the Royal meeting.
Jockey Tom Marquand, brought Desert Hero through in a neck-and-neck race with Valiant King – grabbing the lead inside the final furlong and holding off the challenge of the runner-up by a head.
Charles has some way to go to catch up to his late mum who had over 24 Ascot victories
Marquand, said that the success on the 18-1 horse had been one of the ‘proudest moments in the saddle so far’.
He added: ‘I’ve said it about moments before, that it will be hard to top, but genuinely, this is.
‘We all grew up watching Ryan [Moore] win on Estimate and things like that. Royal winners at the royal meeting are extremely special, especially this one. I think this is a poignant one.’
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