King Charles to sell off late Queen Elizabeth's racehorses as operations 'wind down'
By Natalie Oliveri|
King Charles III is expected to sell off a number of his late mother's racehorses as part of a restructuring program.
Later this month, 12 of the racehorses inherited by the King will be sold at Newmarket's Tattersalls as the monarch begins a "winding down" of Queen Elizabeth II's racing operations.
When the Queen died on September 8, she owned 37 horses involved in races.
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The racing and breeding of horses was one of the late Queen's greatest passions and she continued riding, for leisure, well into her final years.?
Operations are conducted from the royal stud on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, set up in 1886 by Edward, the Prince of Wales.
But sources have told the Mail on Sunday the royal stud could soon be very different.
"The royal stud could be a museum in three years. It would be a real shame," the source said.
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The source said over the next three years, the breeding operation could be cut back until it ceases to be a commercial operation.
Of the horses the King is planning to sell include Just Fine, the first to win for the new monarch.
Also for sale is Love Affairs, the Queen's last winner at Goodwood two days before her death.?
The Queen usually sold around seven horses a year, so this month's planned sale represents a substantial increase.
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A royal source confirmed the King ?was planning to sell nearly a third of those he inherited, but "the connection between the family and the horse racing industry will continue.
"The desire is to continue with the traditions and connections with Royal Ascot but not on the same scale as Her Majesty because she had a passion."
King Charles has 60 racehorses and 38 brood mares at Sandringham.
Another 30 foals are expected in the new year and will fetch high prices as the last bred by the Queen.
On Saturday, a horse previously owned by the Queen raced at Royal Randwick in The Metropolitan.
Chalk Stream raced under the banner of King Charles III for the first time after being sent to trainer Chris Waller last year by Her Majesty.
The horse became the first to wear the royal silks of the monarch in Australia since the Queen's death.
Horses now owned by the King will wear the distinctive purple jacket with gold braid, red sleeves and a black velvet cap?.
Previously, horses owned by Charles as Prince of Wales were dressed in the colours of red with blue sleeves and a navy cap?.
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