More than a decade after carrying Queen Elizabeth II to one of the
most emotional victories of her reign, Estimate continues to
leave her mark on the sport she helped define.
The bay filly etched her name into racing history in 2013 when
she became the first horse owned by a reigning monarch to win the
Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, prompting scenes of delight from the late
Queen that were seen around the world.
Although her racing career came to an end in 2014, Estimate’s
story was far from over.
Retired to the royal broodmare band, the daughter of Monsun
began a new chapter at the Sandringham Stud, where she was
entrusted with continuing one of the most famous breeding
operations in the world. It was a role she was seemingly born
for.
Estimate’s first foal was the Dubawi colt Calculation, born in
2016. Trained, like his mother, by Sir Michael Stoute, he won twice
and amassed more than £39,000 in prize money, earning a peak Racing
Post Rating of 97.
A year later came Approximate, another son of Dubawi. Although
he failed to make much impact on the racecourse, Estimate’s next
offspring proved rather more successful.
Evaluation, foaled in 2018 and also by Dubawi, enjoyed a
fruitful career on the Flat and over hurdles. Trained by Keith
Dalgleish on the Flat before moving to Lucinda Russell and Michael
Scudamore, he won six races on the Flat and later added a victory
over jumps, earning more than £125,000 in prize money.
Estimate’s influence continued with Market Value, a Siyouni
filly born in 2020 and trained by William Haggas. The mare has been
successful once from six starts and remains lightly raced.
Her youngest notable offspring is Reaching High, a son of Sea
The Stars born in 2021. Now trained by Willie Mullins, he has shown
staying promise, winning over two and a half miles and earning a
Racing Post Rating of 96.
He was sent off favourite in Tuesday’s Ascot Stakes, however,
finished a disappointing last place.
None of Estimate’s offspring has yet reached the heights of
their celebrated mother, whose Gold Cup triumph remains one of the
defining moments in Royal Ascot history. But her legacy is measured
by more than trophies.
For Queen Elizabeth II, breeding racehorses was every bit as
important as owning them. She often spoke of the satisfaction that
came from seeing generations of horses develop, and Estimate
occupied a special place within that tradition.
The mare’s victory in 2013 brought the Queen immense joy, but
perhaps her greatest contribution has been ensuring that the
bloodlines which delivered that historic afternoon continue into
future generations.
Thirteen years on from that unforgettable Gold Cup success,
Estimate’s name still resonates at Royal Ascot. The footage of her
dramatic victory is replayed every year, while her descendants
continue to carry the hopes of the royal colours.
For a horse that gave Queen Elizabeth II one of the happiest
moments of her life, it seems fitting that Estimate’s story is
still being written.
