The Queen's record year sends a reminder of her irreplaceable benefit to racing

We are about to enter a new decade, one that has the potential to bring significant change to racing. Some of that change depends on the outcome of important conversations, debates and decisions that may be just around the corner. Other developments will be completely uncontrollable.

In this publication on Sunday prominent figures spoke about what they believe will be the key issues for the sport during the 2020s. There is, however, one subject often discussed in private but, for obvious reasons, rarely mentioned in public. To raise it here should not be seen as disrespectful – indeed, just the opposite – but before contemplating the future, let us reflect on the present and the past.

What follows is a statement that may come as a surprise. Judged by one key barometer, this has been the Queen's most successful year in racing, for in 2019 she set a new personal best for her number of winners in a year.