The Queen honored groundbreaking female athletes at the Cheltenham Festival today, praising the first black woman to win a jump race as “truly outstanding.”
Camilla, who co-patronizes the Jockey Club with the King, attended Ladies Day at the Festival, meeting accomplished women in the sport. Upon her arrival via helicopter at noon, Camilla, dressed in a honey-colored cashmere coat by Anna Valentine and a brown feathered hat by Philip Treacy, along with a Jockey Club pin, proceeded to the parade ring where she was introduced to Rachael Blackmore.
Blackmore, aged 36, made history as the first female jockey to secure victories in both the Grand National in 2021 on Minella Times and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022 on A Plus Tard. Having retired from racing last year, she is expecting her first child with her husband, jockey Brian Hayes. Camilla congratulated Blackmore upon noticing her baby bump, to which Blackmore humorously remarked on the changes in her life and career.
The Queen also engaged in conversations with jockey Aamilah Aswat, who recently became the first black woman to triumph in a jump race in the UK, achieving victory at Kempton Park on Guchen, a horse owned by the Friends of Ebony Horse Club. Camilla, who serves as the president of the London-based charity and community riding center that utilizes horse riding to positively impact the lives of underprivileged youth, commended Aswat’s achievement and inquired about her upcoming race.
During her time at the event, Camilla met with members of the Rugby World Cup-winning Red Roses team, Natasha “Mo” Hunt and captain Zoe Aldcroft, who both represent Gloucester. Encouraging them to celebrate, Camilla recommended they enjoy some champagne.
The Queen was accompanied by several royal women at Cheltenham today, with Princess Anne and Zara and Mike Tindall among the attendees. Zara warmly greeted her aunt with a kiss on the cheek, exchanging pleasantries. Also present with Zara was Carole Middleton, the mother of the Princess of Wales, known for her regular appearances at Royal Ascot, in a navy coat and matching hat, engaging in light-hearted banter with actor James Nesbitt and sports presenter Natalie Pinkham.
Camilla’s presence at Cheltenham coincides with her scheduled presentation of trophies to the winners of The Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase.
Among the guests invited to the royal box were the Queen’s son Tom Parker Bowles, daughter Laura Lopes, and her husband Harry. Camilla, as a co-patron of the Jockey Club, is a familiar face at the premier event in the jump racing calendar, interacting with attendees and meeting the accomplished women in the parade ring.
Camilla’s activities at Cheltenham followed her recent expressions of solidarity and support for women who have endured abuse and violence, emphasizing the importance of addressing toxic online behaviors that can influence young men negatively. Furthermore, during a reception at St James’s Palace, she advocated for teaching boys emotional management and emphasizing lessons on consent and assault prevention for all children. These initiatives highlight Camilla’s ongoing commitment to supporting survivors and organizations dedicated to combating violence against women and girls.
Camilla conveyed a message of solidarity to all survivors of violence, urging them to share their stories and emphasizing the collective responsibility to combat violence against women and girls by breaking the culture of silence.
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