'It was a fairytale' - how Dunfermline lit up the Queen's Silver Jubilee

Landmark occasions in the Queen’s 70-year reign have often coincided happily with racecourse success for her famous colours of purple jacket with gold braid, red sleeves and black velvet cap with gold fringe.

Just 19 days after her coronation in 1953, the Queen celebrated her first Royal Ascot winner when Choir Boy landed the Royal Hunt Cup. Little over a year earlier, he had also been her first winner following her accession to the throne on the death of her father George VI.

Another Hunt Cup victory came in 1992, 40 years later, when Colour Sergeant ended a 13-year drought at the royal meeting, while in Diamond Jubilee year Estimate took the Queen’s Vase, before returning 12 months later for her famous triumph in the Gold Cup.