Emotion in sport

yesterday, at Royal Ascot, those who watched experienced a day of such great emotion as two ladies made the headlines for winning a race in vastly differing circumstances. What was so wonderfully observed was the power of sport to engender such high feelings.

Firstly, the racegoers were delighted to applaud the success of Lady Cecil who saddled 'Riposte' to win the Ribblesdale Stakes, a week after the death of her husband, Sir Henry. Putting aside my impression that Sir Henry should have had more success than he did considering the quality of the horses he trained, it was entirely fitting that this interesting man was remembered and that his widow, now the license holder, was able to celebrate with a win. That the occasion meant so much to her was manifest to all who witnessed it.

Her Majesty the Queen's undisguised joy at winning the Gold Cup with her filly,'Estimate', gave everyone interested in horse racing such a thrill. Frankly, having seen her face at the finish of the race, it is difficult to imagine anything giving her more pleasure. The Queen devotes a lot of her limited free time studying horses and like her mother has been a great patron of the sport. On this her Jubilee year it is fitting that she should win the Group 1 race. It wasn't easy. The filly was challenged all the way up the straight and great credit must go to jockey, Ryan Moore, who piloted her to victory. Spectacular racing! spectacular emotions! Sport delivers!