Queen Elizabeth II’s deep passion for horse breeding, training, and racing was a significant yet often private aspect of her life, reflecting a hands-on and detail-oriented approach. Her longtime trainer Ian Balding, who passed away recently, played a crucial role in this royal tradition, working with her horses from 1964 until 2002 and providing her with the joy of seeing her horses succeed on the track. Alongside Balding, key figures like Sir Michael Oswald, the Royal Stud manager, and the Queen’s racing manager, the 7th Earl of Carnarvon, supported her thoroughbred enterprises, while Monty Roberts introduced her to non-violent horse training techniques.

Balding’s relationship with the Queen highlighted her enduring interest in the training process, which continued until her death in 2022. Although King Charles III and Queen Camilla appear to maintain the royal involvement with thoroughbreds, there is little evidence that Prince William and Catherine, The Princess of Wales, share this enthusiasm, casting uncertainty on the future of this centuries-old royal tradition.