By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-25 20:45:39 | Updated at 2026-09-25 21:44:42
1 hour ago
The King and Queen have recorded their first jump win of the horse racing season.
Reaching High, the thoroughbred owned by King Charles and Queen Camilla, secured victory in the John J Galvin Maiden Hurdle at Listowel racecourse in County Kerry.
The horse, trained by the renowned Willie Mullins, had twice been sent off as favourite at Royal Ascot without success on the flat.
His transition to hurdling has proved a shrewd move, however, with the animal now finding his stride over obstacles.
Mr Mullins noted that the King and Queen were unfortunately unable to attend the meeting in person.
"Unfortunately the King and Queen aren't present but would love to be here, as one of their stated aims is to visit every county in Ireland," the trainer said.
"They only have a few left and hopefully will come to 'the Kingdom' [as Listowel is known] some day."
Reflecting on the race itself, Mr Mullins acknowledged the horse had been startled at the final flight but was broadly satisfied.
"He likes a flat track, but it can be a bit sharp here and he is a huge, big, long-striding horse so was inclined to get unbalanced around the bends. Other than that, he did it well," he added.
Looking ahead, Mr Mullins has his sights firmly set on the Cheltenham Festival in March, with the Turners Novices' Hurdle identified as the principal target.
"The ultimate plan is to go for the Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham next March and I think he is more of a good-ground horse, so running in Leopardstown at Christmas would be fantastic. We'll take it baby steps first," he said.
The monarch and his wife have been ever-present at Royal Ascot - although it has not brought them much luck on the track
King Charles and Queen Camilla have maintained a keen interest in racing, continuing a tradition cherished by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Last month, the monarch sold Group 3-winning colt Point Of Law, in a deal said to be in the "millions".
The monarch and his wife have been ever-present at Royal Ascot - although it has not brought them much luck on the track.
After coming despairingly close this year, the couple are now without an Ascot win since 2023, when Desert Hero triumphed - their sole victory at the prestigious fixture.
That particular win was pretty special.
The thoroughbred had been inherited from his late mother a year before, and the rank outsider's victory left King Charles visibly moved by his sensational victory.
Poignantly, that victory came in the first Royal Ascot since Queen Elizabeth II's death.
