Queen indulges horse racing passion during visit to Ireland's top stud farm

By Daily Mail Reporter


Passion: The Queen looks enthralled as she watches a jockey training at the National Stud Farm in Kildare, Ireland


The relationship between Britain and Ireland was further cemented as The Queen took in a tour of a stud farm - and the two nations discovered their shared passion for horse racing.

The monarch visited the national horse centre - one of the world's top stud farms - on her historic trip to the Republic, where her own thoroughbreds are sent for breeding.

One of the world's best racehorses Sea the Stars was bred at the Irish National Stud, near Dublin, in Tully, County Kildare, and went on to win a string of classic races in 2009 - including the Epsom Derby - before being retired to stud.

All smiles: The monarch appeared charmed by the visit, which allowed her to indulge in her passion for horses


The Queen arrived at the picturesque centre looking relaxed and wearing a sky blue outfit with white details.

In the immaculate grounds she toured small marquees showcasing the aspects of the horse racing world from farriers and trainee jockeys to some of the prized stud horses.

Simon Coveney, Ireland's minister for agriculture and food, summed up his country's passion for the animals.

'Horse racing is part of what it means to be Irish and an important industry for us here,' said the politician.

Day out: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh (far left) make their entrance at the stud farm, one of Ireland's top horse breeding centres

Spot the monarch: The Queen's brightly-coloured blue outfit made her easy to spot among the official-looking dark suits


He added: 'I think there are two phases to the visit. The first two days were very much about the emotive history of the two islands, reconciliation and moving forward and respecting the history. I think the Queen did that in an extraordinarily generous way.

'I think the second half of this visit is I hope more relaxing and she's very interested in racing and horse breeding.'

The sovereign has a love of racing and horses that she inherited from her mother and visits the races regularly both officially and as a private spectator.

One of the Queen's colts, Carlton House, is running in the Derby next month and is likely to start as favourite.

Hat's nice! The Queen's headgear, which complemented her sky blue and white detailed outfit, won admiring glances

On form: The sovereign has a love of racing and horses that she inherited from her mother


Meanwhile, the monarch offered her sympathies following the death of former Irish taoiseach Garret FitzGerald, joining the polticial leaders of Britain and Ireland in the tributes.

In a personal message praising Dr Fitzagerald's dedication to peace in Ireland, she said: 'I was saddened to hear this morning's news of the death of the Garret
FitzGerald, a true statesman. He made a lasting contribution to peace and will be greatly missed," she said.

And in a message to Irish President Mary McAleese she added: 'Please will you convey my sincere condolences to his family.'

Prime Minister David Cameron and Taoiseach Enda Kenny also expressed their sympathies.

Dr FitzGerald, politician, journalist and economist, who led two governments in the 1980s and fought tirelessly to cement close ties between the two countries, died after a short illness in a Dublin hospital.

Earlier in her official visit to Ireland, The Queen acknowledged the ‘sad and regrettable’ history between Britain and Ireland in what was arguably one of the most politically significant speeches of her 59-year reign.

While not apologising for Britain’s role in the ‘troubled past’, she made clear that mistakes had been made on both sides and voiced her ‘deep sympathy’ for all those who had lost loved ones.

In doing so she made a clear and extremely moving reference to the murder of her own cousin – and beloved uncle of her husband – Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was killed by an IRA bomb on his boat in 1979.

Speaking at a state banquet to celebrate her visit to the Irish Republic – the first by a British monarch for 100 years – the Queen said: ‘Of course the relationship has not always been straightforward; nor has the record over the centuries been entirely benign.

‘It is a sad and regrettable reality that through our history our islands have experienced more than their fair share of heartache, turbulence and loss.

'These events have touched many of us personally and are a painful legacy. We can never forget those who have died or been injured and their families.

'To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy.

‘With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all.

‘But it is also true that no one who looked to the future over the past centuries could have imagined the strength of the bonds that are now in place between the governments and the people of our two nations, the spirit of partnership that we now enjoy, and the lasting rapport between us. No one here this evening could doubt that heartfelt desire of our two nations.’

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Historic moment: The Queen, standing centre right, delivers her speech to dignitaries at Dublin Castle, during a state dinner on the second day of her State Visit to Ireland

Reconciliation: The Queen received a round of applause as she opened her speech by addressing her host, President Mary McAleese, and the other guests in Irish


The depth and emotion of the Queen’s speech took many of the 172 assembled dignitaries – which included David Cameron, also on his first official visit to the country – by surprise.

The Queen received a round of applause as she opened her speech by addressing her host, President Mary McAleese, and the other guests in Irish.

She appeared to be delighted by the reaction to her speech and as she toasted the Irish president could be heard to trill: ‘I like this clinking glass.’

She had dressed carefully for the occasion. Her stunning white pure silk crepe dress had a bodice adorned by an astonishing 2,091 hand-embroidered shamrocks and an Irish harp embellished with Swarovski crystals on the left shoulder.

The Girls Of Great Britain And Ireland tiara given to her by Queen Mary and a diamond necklace completed the look.

Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and his wife Iris attend the state dinner with the Queen last night

Strong relationship: The Queen hailed the links between the UK and Ireland, which had been helped by the peace process in Northern Ireland


The Queen acknowledged the ‘weight and complexity’ of history but added: ‘I applaud the work of all those involved in the peace process and of all those who support and nurture peace ... their work not only serves as a basis for reconciliation between our people and communities, but gives hope to other peacemakers across the world that through sustained effort, peace can and will prevail.’

In her own speech, Mrs McAleese also referred to the ‘long, complex and turbulent’ relationship but expressed her heartfelt hopes for the future.

Last night’s banquet was held at 13th-century Dublin Castle, which served as the British seat of power until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.

'I like this clinking glass,' the Queen trilled as she toasted Irish president Mary McAleese after her speech

The Queen (standing, top right) addresses guests at the state dinner in Dublin Castle last night

Ancient seat of power: The Queen, president McAleese, Dr Martin McAleese and Prince Philip walk the halls of Dublin Castle, the old seat of English power in Ireland; left the Queen and Mrs McAleese meet Iris Robinson

David Cameron bows his head for the Queen in Dublin Castle ahead of a state dinner. Next to the Queen, left, is Irish President Mary McAleese. To her right is Prince Philip and the President's husband Dr Martin McAleese




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source:dailymail