Royal Rivalry on the Racecourse: King's Forgiveness Contrasts with Queen's Grudge
In a revealing anecdote from the world of horse racing, King Charles III has demonstrated royal magnanimity by forgiving legendary commentator Derek Thompson for defeating him in a charity race over four decades ago. However, Queen Camilla has humorously maintained that she has not yet moved past the historic sporting upset.
The Prince's Brief Foray into Jockeying
Before ascending to the throne, the then Prince of Wales embarked on a short-lived amateur jockey career during the early 1980s. Charles participated in six races in total, including a notable appearance at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival in 1981, prior to his marriage to Princess Diana. Despite his royal status, victory eluded him throughout his racing endeavors, though he did achieve two second-place finishes.
One of those runner-up positions occurred during his very first race at Plumpton in 1980. The charity flat race saw the future monarch riding Long Wharf, while Derek Thompson mounted Classified. In a dramatic finish, Thompson crossed the line ahead of the royal competitor, securing a win that would become part of racing folklore.
A Royal Exchange of Forgiveness and Humor
The pair have since reflected on their brief racing rivalry with warmth and humor. Thompson recounted a memorable encounter at Royal Ascot where he approached the King to apologize for the decades-old defeat. "He said, 'Don't worry. I forgave you. Don't worry,'" Thompson revealed in an interview with Freebets last year.
However, the conversation took an amusing turn when Queen Camilla interjected with her own perspective. "His wife, the Queen, then said, 'But I haven't Tommo!'" Thompson recalled, using his popular nickname. The commentator added, "We always joke about it, but it was an incredible day. I'll never forget it."
The Inside Story of a Remarkable Victory
Thompson looks back on the race with particular fondness, not just for beating royalty but for the extraordinary circumstances surrounding his mount. He rode Classified, a horse trained by Nicky Henderson who would later become a six-time champion National Hunt trainer but was just beginning his career at the time.
The commentator confessed he knew he had a strong chance of victory even before the race began, following a remarkable training gallop. "I remember on the Sunday before the Tuesday, we'd gone for a gallop, three of us," Thompson explained. "I was riding Classified. Nicky was on another horse, and the stable jockey, Steve Smith Eccles, was on another horse."
During that private mile gallop on the hills at Lambourn, Thompson's mount performed spectacularly. "And I won the gallop by about 20 lengths," he said. "Steve said next to me, 'What the blinking heck is that, Tommo?' I said, 'He's called Classified – has never run before.'"
Smith Eccles, recognizing the extraordinary performance, declared, "Well, you've just beat me [by] 20 lengths. Giving me two stone. The horse I rode won a handicap over at Newbury under 12st 7lbs last week. You've just annihilated me. You must be on the biggest certainty of all time."
High Stakes and Lasting Memories
The confidence from that training session translated into substantial betting interest. "Apparently, all the stable staff at Nicky's backed me at 16-1," Thompson revealed. "If I hadn't won, I'd have been dead half an hour later. It was incredible."
While King Charles has gracefully forgiven the defeat that occurred during his brief racing career, Queen Camilla's playful refusal to do the same adds a charming personal dimension to this historic sporting moment. The anecdote offers a rare glimpse into the royal couple's sense of humor and their connection to Britain's racing heritage.
