THE QUEEN MOTHER MEMORIAL FUND DAY
AT PERTH RACECOURSE - 5th JUNE 2003
In support of the International Tracing and Messaging Service of the British Red Cross

The race day was a great success with the sponsored riders in the Charity Flat Race raising almost £9,000. The race was won by Edward Sackville, riding Confuzious, trained by Peter Monteith.

The day raised almost £25,000 in total, thanks to the efforts of everyone involved and the public support at the races on the day.

Pictured above are two of the Queen's Horses, The Argonaut and Braes of Mar, who were paraded in the Winners Enclosure at Perth. The Argonaut took part in both the 90th and 100th Birthday celebrations for Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother on Horse Guards Parade.

H.M Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother National Hunt Racing's Best-Loved Patron
by Bill Harvey

The Queen Mother was National Hunt racing's best-loved patron and owned a total of 461 winners from 1949 to 2002. She inherited her famous blue and buff striped colours with a black cap and gold tassel from her great-uncle Lord Strathmore, who rode in four Grand Nationals between 1847 and 1850.

The Queen Mother's first winner was Monaveen at Fontwell Park on October 10, 1949, and her final success under Rules was First Love at Sandown Park on March 8 2002. Her favourite horses were Manicou, winners of the 1950 King George VI Chase, Special Cargo, successful in the 1984 Whitbread Gold Cup, Game Spirit, Double Star, Gay Record, The Argonaut and Makaldar.

Sir Peter O'Sullevan, the BBC's "voice of racing" for 50 years said of the Queen Mother "One gives thanks for her really marvellous life and for her qualities. Her impact on British life has been enormous and National Hunt racing has lost an irreplaceable friend. She has left behind an enthusiasm that will help sustain the sport". Rhona Oliver, widow of the legendary Hawick trainer Ken Oliver said, "We trainer three winners for her in the 1970's. She was marvellous to train for. She was very knowledgeable and knew the form book very well."

The Queen Mother's greatest disappointment in racing was Devon Loch's dramatic fall 50 yards from the winning post when leading in the 1956 Grand National. She subsequently wrote to her trainer Peter Cazalet of that fateful afternoon at Aintree, "I will have an ache in my heart forever".

The Queen Mother visited Perth Racecourse in 1970 and again in 1977 during the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations.