‘A day we will never forget’ – Stoute’s magic with Estimate sparked scenes to remember

A special day at Royal Ascot for the late Queen was remembered among the many tributes to Sir Michael Stoute on the announcement of his intention to retire from training ranks at the end of the season.

Stoute’s career has been long and incredibly successful, leaving him with a record that includes all of the British Classics and a huge array of top-class races around the world.

Based at Freemason Lodge in Newmarket, Stoute has been a key figure in the industry for many years and is broadly respected by his peers for his intuitive and patient approach to training.

Stoute was the trainer who guided Her Majesty’s Estimate to victory in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2013, one of many triumphs the two shared in a long association.

John Warren, racing manager to the late Queen, said: “We all had so many happy times working together over some 30 years. As a trainer, Michael was always spot-on knowing when to press the ‘go button’ and his patience paid off in spades.

“Michael’s understated one-liners are legendary and he would often make the late Queen laugh, but he was without thought 100 per cent focused, bringing the best out of every horse in his care.

“I know he gave the late Queen immense pleasure and joy on numerous occasions – winning the Ascot Gold Cup with Estimate was a day we will never forget. I can’t thank him enough for so many happy and great fun memories during his training career.”

Fellow trainer John Gosden said in response to the announcement: “A true champion trainer with a phenomenal feel for the horses in his stable.

“At the height of their powers, Henry Cecil and he were formidable adversaries and lit up the British racing season year on year.”

Stoute won the Derby on six occasions, with two of those victories for owner Saeed Suhail with Kris Kin in 2003 and Desert Crown in 2022.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager for the owner, said: “Sir Michael rang me this morning to tell me the news. What you can say? It’s not unexpected, but it’s sad.

“I rode for him as second jockey to Walter Swinburn at one time for Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum and rode quite a few winners.

“When my owners talk about telling Sir Michael to do something, I say ‘listen, Sir Michael Stoute has trained every winner in the world twice, I’m not going to tell him anything’ – and he quite rightly probably wouldn’t take any notice anyway!

“I’m kind of pleased that he’s given up still at the top. It’s not for me to say, but I hope he goes backwards and forwards to Barbados and follows the cricket because that’s his real passion and it’s great to do that before you get too old or unhealthy.

“He obviously trained two Derby winners for Saeed Suhail and a 2000 Guineas winner (King’s Best in 2000) and everything else.

“Who is anyone to tell Sir Michael what to do? There might be someone in the world as good, but there is no one better.”