Queen’s last horse racing runner beaten by a head just before death announcement

The Queen was denied a poignant final horse racing winner just hours before confirmation of her sad passing when Improvise was beaten by a short-head at Epsom.

Improvise, trained by Michael Bell, was sent off the 3/1 second favourite for the 16:35 Quick Ride by Quickslide Handicap in the final race at Epsom on Thursday. The three-year-old filly was given an excellent chance on the inside rail and found herself in front at the furlong pole.

But with the finishing line approaching, 9/1 outsider Mount Kosciuszko showed extra stamina to get up and pip Improvise at the line by a short head, denying the Queen what would have been an emotional final winner. Confirmation of the Queen's sad passing came through at 6:30pm later that evening.

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The Queen was a huge supporter of horse racing and owned many memorable horses over the years, including 2013 Ascot Gold Cup winner Estimate.

Racing at Chelmsford and Southwell was called off on Thursday after news broke of the monarch's death. Racing was also postponed across the UK on Friday and Saturday. All fixtures in British racing will return on Sunday, including Doncaster's St Leger.

Julie Harrington, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said: "Her Majesty the Queen’s affinity and bond with British racing was enduring and unique, and a number of our sport’s participants have a close, direct relationship with her.

"It is out of respect for this, and in sympathy with her family including King Charles III, that the sport has taken the decision to continue our suspension of fixtures into Saturday.

"The return of racing on Sunday will see the running of the Cazoo St Leger, one of Britain’s five Classic races and a race which the Queen won with her filly Dunfermline in 1977. This will also provide an opportunity for the sport and its supporters to pay its respects to Her Majesty, for the contribution which she has made to the sport to be marked, and for racing to express its deep gratitude to her and sympathies to her family."

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