The King has enjoyed his biggest success as a racehorse owner on the other side of the world on a national public holiday in Australia.
Chalk Stream, who was bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II, sprang an upset by landing the feature race on Australia Day at Warwick Farm in Sydney.
Australia Day, January 26, marks the day the British claimed sovereignty when the union flag was first raised in New South Wales in 1788.
Chalk Stream, who is trained by Chris Waller, claimed a first stakes win for the royal family Down Under when capturing the £91,000 Listed Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm at odds of 20-1.
As jockey Regan Bayliss steered the gelding across the line, the commentator remarked, “He might get an Order of Australia medal for this from the King.”
Chalk Stream, who won four times for the Queen when trained in Britain by William Haggas, was transferred to Royal Ascot-winning trainer Waller last year but had not won any of his seven previous starts.
“It’s a real thrill and obviously Chris has had plenty of highlights in his career but this would be right up there,” Waller’s English assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth told Sky Racing Australia.
“It is just amazing, they have been so patient all the way through just trying to work out how we do it Down Under.
“Obviously this is the icing on the cake, he has got it done and got it done well. It’s a massive thrill to have the horse in training let alone win a nice race like this.”
