Epsom Downs Racecourse, England
CNN
—
Desert Crown won the 243rd Epsom Derby on Saturday as Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, stepped in for Queen Elizabeth II.
Ridden by Richard Kingscote and trained by five-time Derby winner Sir Michael Stoute, Desert Crown – the pre-race favorite – raced into the lead with two furlongs to go, eventually winning in dominant style.
A colorful fireworks display had the thousands of fans in attendance ready for a show, and Desert Crown – owned by Saeed Suhail – demonstrated why it was the favorite to claim the title by speeding to a famous victory.
Kingscote later credited Stoute’s leadership as a reason for their success.
“When I was a kid I was useless and I’ve had a lot of support from this gentleman (Stoute) here,” he told ITV Racing after the race.
“(Desert Crown has) got a huge amount of class, we turned in going well and was so lovely. I (even) took a tug in the straight, he’s got a lot of class and gave me a lot of confidence. But it’s all about the man who trained him. He’s a lovely horse and he’s a lovely gentleman that trains him.”
Desert Crown finished clear of second-placed Hoo Ya Mal, a 150-1 outsider, with Westover finishing third.
For Stoute, it is a sixth Derby victory, 12 years after his last with Workforce in 2010.
Princess Anne was making an appearance at Epsom Downs racecourse for the 243rd edition of the famous horse race. The Queen’s daughter, who was representing her mother at the event, waved to cheering crowds from the royal box.
The previous day, Buckingham Palace had announced Queen Elizabeth II would not be attending. However, the palace said the monarch was expected to watch the event on television in Windsor Castle, as she did for her Platinum Jubilee service on Friday.
Zara Tindall, Anne’s daughter, said the Queen would be watching the Derby on TV in her “comfy clothes.”
“She will be watching on the TV – she has a few runners today dotted around the country, so she knows exactly what’s going on,” said Tindall.
“She’ll just be sat on the sofa watching the TV. She’ll be in her comfy clothes.”
The Queen, a keen horse breeder herself, has been a regular spectator at the event and has even presented the famous trophy in years gone by.
The Epsom Derby is one of Saturday’s showpiece events on the third day of Platinum Jubilee celebrations to commemorate the Queen’s 70-year reign.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Jonathan Brady/Pool/AP
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II watches from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour parade in London on Thursday, June 2.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Alberto Pezzali/AP
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, depart St Paul’s Cathedral in London after attending a service honoring the Queen on Friday. Harry and Meghan, who flew from the United States for the jubilee celebrations, were warmly welcomed by a crowd outside the service. Ahead of the event, there was much speculation in the British press over how the couple would be received following their decision to step back from the royal family and move to California two years ago.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty Images
Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, smiles as she arrives at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Dan Kitwood/AP
More than 400 people were invited to the event recognizing the Queen’s lifetime of service. The congregation included key workers, teachers and public servants as well as representatives from the Armed Forces, charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups, according to Buckingham Palace. London Mayor Sadiq Khan was among those in the audience.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Henry Nicholls/AP
Prince Charles arrives for Friday’s service. Another one of the Queen’s sons, Prince Andrew, was notably absent after testing positive for Covid-19.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Aaron Chown/AP/Pool
The theme of Friday morning’s event was public service. It included Bible readings, prayers and congregational hymns to honor the Queen’s 70 years on the British throne.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Alberto Pezzali/AP
Harry and Meghan arrive at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Victoria Jones/AP
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson pauses while inside St Paul’s Cathedral. Johnson was cheered and booed by the crowd when he arrived for the service.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Daniel Leal/AP
A member of the military stumbles Friday while on duty ahead of the service.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Alberto Pezzali/AP
A woman holds a cutout picture of the Queen while waiting outside St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Alberto Pezzali/AP
People gather outside St Paul’s Cathedral to watch the arrivals.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Steve Parsons/Getty Images
The Queen prepares to touch the Commonwealth of Nations Globe to start the lighting of the Principal Beacon outside of Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Jane Barlow/AP
A Platinum Jubilee beacon is lit by Lord Provost Robert Aldridge and Commander of Edinburgh Garrison Lt. Col. Lorne Campbell at Scotland’s Edinburgh Castle on Thursday. More than 1,500 towns, villages and cities throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories would come together to light a beacon to mark the Jubilee.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Aaron Chown/AP
People pack The Mall in London for Thursday’s Trooping the Colour parade.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Bernadette Tuazon/CNN
The Queen walks out onto the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Trooping the Colour parade.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Toby Hancock/CNN
Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, waves during a carriage procession on Thursday. Joining her on the carriage were her three children — Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte — as well as Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Toby Hancock/CNN
Planes spell out the number 70 as they fly over Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
Prince Louis holds his hands over his ears during the six-minute flypast staged by the Royal Air Force. From left are Prince Charles; the Queen; Prince Louis; Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge; and Princess Charlotte.” class=”gallery-image__dam-img”/>Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Hannah McKay/Reuters
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images
A 124-gun salute is fired at the Tower of London as part of the Trooping the Colour parade.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
The Trooping the Colour event involved 1,500 soldiers and officers, 400 musicians, 250 horses and 70 aircraft, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images
Three of the Queen’s great-grandchildren— from left, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte — ride in the carriage procession on Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images
Prince William, left, rides on horseback next to his father, Prince Charles, during the Trooping the Colour parade.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Matt Dunham/AP
The Queen’s Guard marches during the Trooping the Colour parade Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Aaron Chown/AP
The Queen is joined by members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony on Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Abbie Trayler-Smith for CNN
Thousands of people flocked to central London for the celebrations Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
A military band performs on Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Matt Dunham/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Four of the Queen’s great-grandchildren watch the parade from a window of Buckinghamp Palace on Thursday. From left are Prince George, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Mia Tindall.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Toby Melville/AFP/Getty Images
A member of the Coldstream Guards holds souvenir programs ahead of the start of Thursday’s parade.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Bernadette Tuazon/CNN
Prince Edward, right, rides in a carriage along with his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, and their children, James and Louise.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
The Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry takes part in the parade Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Henry Nicholls/Reuters
A man wears a Union Jack suit as people gather on The Mall for Jubilee celebrations on Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Dominic Lipinski/PA Images/Getty Images
Police officers line up on The Mall ahead of the Trooping the Colour parade on Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images
A member of the Buckingham Palace staff cleans the balcony ahead of the Trooping the Colour parade on Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Toby Hancock/CNN
Crowds gather in London for the parade.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lights the Commonwealth Beacon for a Jubilee celebration in Canberra, Australia, on Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
David Cliff/AP
Some royal fans had Union flags applied to their faces as they gathered along The Mall in London on Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Peter Nicholls/Reuters
People wear masks of the Queen and one of her dogs as they attend Jubilee celebrations on The Mall on Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Owen Humphreys/PA Images/Getty Images
Anita Atkinson, who has collected more than 12,000 items of royal memorabilia, makes her way to a tea party in Durham on Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
David Cliff/AP
People sing the national anthem as they gather along The Mall on Thursday.
Photos: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Leon Neal/Getty Images
A boy poses with a Union flag on The Mall on Wednesday.
Later Saturday, a two-and-a-half hour “Platinum Party At The Palace” concert will see a star-studded line up take to three stages built in front of Buckingham Palace and the famous Queen Victoria Memorial.
Queen + Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys and Diana Ross are among the artists set to perform their biggest hits at the show, which will be broadcast live by the BBC.
Some 22,000 people will get to watch the concert in person, including 10,000 who won tickets through a public ballot, while 5,000 tickets were reserved for key workers.
