Platinum Jubilee Stakes to be renamed The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot

The Platinum Jubilee Stakes will be renamed as The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes for next month's Royal Ascot meeting in memory of the late monarch.

The Group 1 contest, which will be held on the final day of the meeting on June 24, will pay tribute to the Queen's longstanding passion for racing having been renamed three times this century in commemoration of her Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees.

"The Queen had so much success at Royal Ascot and we thought it was appropriate to specifically rename a race in her honour," Ascot's director of racing Nick Smith said. "It's something we've been thinking about for a while. While we also have the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day named after her, she had so many winners at Royal Ascot and barely missed a meeting, apart from the Covid years and when ill health prevented her.

"She was always there and loved it, she was such a major part of the meeting. Alongside the Gold Cup this was the race she traditionally presented for and it was the logical race to choose. Since 2002 the contest has always honoured her for her jubilee achievements and now it honours her whole life."

Naval Crown (far side) just edges out stablemate Creative Force in last year's Platinum Jubilee StakesCredit: Alex Livesey (Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II was the United Kingdom's longest-reigning monarch before her death in September at the age of 96. A lifelong supporter of racing as well as a breeder and owner, she enjoyed 24 Royal Ascot winners across six decades but failed to capture the £1 million sprint now named in her honour.

Her sole runner in the race over the last decade was King's Lynn, who finished 14th last year for Andrew Balding and David Probert.

"The late Queen's close association with Ascot racecourse was well known throughout the world, but no race at the royal meeting previously carried the name of Queen Elizabeth II," said Sir Francis Brooke, His Majesty's representative at Ascot.

"His Majesty The King has approved the renaming of the Platinum Jubilee Stakes to The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. This will both honour Her late Majesty in perpetuity and maintain the connection with the three Jubilees celebrated since the inception of the race in 2002."

Ownership of the royal runners passed to King Charles following the Queen's death and the new monarch was joined on the title by Queen Camilla at the end of February.

While they could be represented at Royal Ascot by several runners including Slipofthepen, Blue Missile and Circle Of Fire, they are unlikely to be represented in this year's The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, with the royal silks not featuring among 37 entries made at the start of May.

Creative Force, who finished runner-up last year behind Naval Crown, heads the ante-post market alongside Nunthorpe winner Highfield Princess, while Australian sprinters Artorius and The Astrologist, plus Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Caravel, head the international challengers.

The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (June 24, Royal Ascot)

Paddy Power: 7-1 Creative Force, 8 Artorius, Highfield Princess, 10 Sandrine, Tenebrism, The Astrologist, 12 Caravel, Coeur De Pierre, 14 bar

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