Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Current News

French racing pays homage to Queen, ex-chief recalls her British humour

The late Queen Elizabeth II’s French and knowledge of racing was impeccable whilst she was blessed with “a typical British sense of humour”, the former head of French racing Louis Romanet told AFP on Sunday.

Racing was the sport Britain’s longest-serving monarch, who died on Thursday aged 96, was most closely associated with.

French racing paid homage to her by holding a minute’s silence prior to the Group One Prix Vermeille — one of three trials on Sunday for their flagship race the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe — at Longchamp. 

“It was the very least French racing could do to honour her,” said Romanet.  

“She was a friend of France and of racing.” 

Romanet, 74, witnessed her humour first hand when her filly Highclere won the French Oaks (Prix de Diane) in 1974 at Chantilly.

Romanet, who was for 40 years director-general of French racing authority France Galop till retiring in 2007, had accompanied her to a reception hosted by renowned owner-breeder Marcel Boussac at his chateau.

A visit in her Rolls Royce to the training centre at Chantilly — where the majority of top trainers have their stables — followed before alighting at the racecourse.

That all served as the aperitif said Romanet to the race itself where Highclere arrived with a big reputation having won the English 1000 Guineas.

“It was fantastic,” he said.

“She could not restrain herself and was cheering madly for Highclere, whilst her racing manager Lord Porchester swung his binoculars over his head when she won.

“After the trophy had been presented to her by Boussac, I moved to take it back and she fixed me with a stare and said in French ‘Monsieur Romanet why are you taking the trophy?’.

“I replied so we can have Highclere and your name engraved on it.

“She smiled and said ‘Do not worry about that, give it to my secretary. I am hosting a dinner at Windsor Castle this evening and I would like it on the table.

“‘We have very good engravers in England too you know’.

“That was typical British humour.”

– ‘It is midnight’ –

Romanet was to pay a visit to Windsor Castle over 20 years later in 1995.

He was invited as president of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) to have lunch prior to racing at Royal Ascot.

The Queen enjoyed one of her greatest successes with Estimate winning the meeting’s most historic race the Ascot Gold Cup in 2013 — her broad smile captured on television and beamed round the world.

Romanet said he and his wife had been overly punctual and were the first to arrive.

He found himself seated between the Queen and the Queen Mother, who was also a noted turfiste.

“I began talking with the Queen and she said ‘I will make a sign when you should turn and talk to my mother’,” he said.

“However, she completely forgot as we were talking about racing and then she finally realised and made the sign.

“I turned and spoke to the Queen Mother. Suddenly after a few minutes the Queen Mother stopped and…

You May Also Like

Business

State would join dozens of others in enacting legislation based on federal government’s landmark whistleblower statute, the False Claims Act

press release

With a deep understanding of the latest tech, Erbo helps businesses flourish in a digital world.

press release

#Automotive #Carbon #Canister #Market #Projected #Hit #USD New York, US, Oct. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  According to a comprehensive research report by Market...

press release

Barrington Research Analyst James C.Goss reiterated an Outperform rating on shares of IMAX Corp IMAX with a Price target of $20. As theaters...