Highclere (horse)

British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse (1971–1992)

Highclere

Sire| Queen's Hussar
Grandsire| March Past
Dam| Highlight
Damsire| Borealis
Sex| Mare
Foaled| 1971
Country| United Kingdom
Colour| Bay
Breeder| Queen Elizabeth II
Owner| Queen Elizabeth II
Trainer| Dick Hern
Record| 8: 3-3-0
Major wins
1000 Guineas (1974)
Prix de Diane (1974)
Honours
Timeform rating: 129
Last updated on 25 August 2023
|  |

This article is part of
a series about

Elizabeth II

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Personal

* Flags
* Corgis
* Dookie
* Susan
* Horses
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* Carrozza
* Dunfermline
* Estimate
* Height of Fashion
* Highclere
* Pall Mall
* Winston
* Wedding
* dress
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* * *

Reign

* Proclamation of accession
* Coronation
* guests
* procession participants
* Silver Jubilee
* events
* Ruby Jubilee
* Golden Jubilee
* Diamond Jubilee
* Sapphire Jubilee
* Platinum Jubilee
* Household
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* Privy Counsellors
* Prime ministers
* Commonwealth visits
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* * *

Death

* Reactions
* Queue for the lying-in-state
* Funeral guests
* Operation London Bridge
* Demise Honours
* Like as the hart
* Who shall separate us?
* Sleep, Dearie, Sleep
* Memorial Day

* * *

Legacy

* Titles and honours
* Personality and image
* Eponyms

* v
* t
* e

Highclere (1971-1992) was a British thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare owned by Queen Elizabeth II. In a racing career lasting from summer 1973 until October 1974, she ran eight times and won three races. Highclere won one minor race as a two-year-old but improved to win the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse and Prix de Diane at Chantilly. She later finished second to Dahlia in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. She retired at the end of the season to become a highly successful and influential broodmare.

## Background

[edit]

Highclere was a bay filly, bred in England by her owner, Queen Elizabeth II. She was sired by the Sussex Stakes winner Queen's Hussar, whose reputation as a stallion had previously rested almost entirely on the fact that he was the sire of Brigadier Gerard. Her dam Highlight won two minor races and was a daughter of Hypericum, who won the 1000 Guineas for King George VI in 1946. As a descendant of the broodmare Feola, Highclere came from the same branch of Thoroughbred family 2-f which produced Round Table, Pebbles and Aureole.[1]

The filly was named after Highclere Castle, the home of the Queen's racing manager, Lord Carnarnvon.[2] Highclere was sent into training with Dick Hern at his stables in West Ilsley in Berkshire. Her regular jockey was Joe Mercer.

## Racing career

[edit]

### 1973: two-year-old season

[edit]

Highclere ran three times as a two-year-old in 1973. After finishing second in a maiden race at Newmarket behind Polygamy, she was moved up in class for the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot Racecourse, and finished second again, though this time beating Polygamy. On her final start, she won the Donnington Stakes at Newbury, but was not particularly impressive. At the end of the season she was allotted a weight of 109 pounds in the Free Handicap, a rating of the best two-year-olds to have raced in Britain. The rating placed her twenty-two pounds below the top-rated Apalachee, and nine pounds below Bitty Girl, Gentle Thoughts and Melchbourne who tied for the position of best filly.[3]

### 1974: three-year-old season

[edit]

On Highclere's first appearance of 1974 she contested the Classic 1000 Guineas over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket. Wearing blinkers for the first time she started at odds of 12/1 in a field of fifteen fillies. The closing stages of the race saw a struggle between Highclere and the Peter Walwyn-trained favourite Polygamy. with the Queen's filly prevailing by a short head.[4] The win gave the British monarch her second fillies' Classic win, seventeen years after Carrozza won The Oaks.[5] It was believed that the course and distance of the Oaks would not suit Highclere, and so the filly was rerouted to the French equivalent, the Prix de Diane over 2100m at Chantilly. With her owner in attendance, Highclere won by two lengths from Comtesse de Loir.[6] On their return from France Dick Hern and Joe Mercer were invited to dine with the Royal Family at Windsor Castle.[7]

In July, Highclere raced against colts and older horses in Britain's most prestigious all-aged race, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot. Highclere finished second, beaten two lengths by the French four-year-old filly Dahlia, who was winning the race for the second year. Highclere failed to reproduce her best form in her two remaining races. She finished unplaced behind Dahlia in the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup and was also unplaced in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Highclere was then retired to stud.

## Retirement

[edit]

Highclere produced several winners, the best of whom were the colt Milford[8] and the filly Height of Fashion, both of whom won the Princess of Wales's Stakes. Height of Fashion went on to produce the 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby winner Nashwan as well as the multiple Group winners Nayef and Unfuwain.[9] Another of Highclere's daughters, Burghclere, produced Wind In Her Hair, the dam of Deep Impact.[10] Highclere died in 1992.[11]

Her named foals include:[1][12][13][14]

* 1976/04/29 =Milford (GB), ch colt by Mill Reef – 3 wins from 8 starts, including Princess of Wales's Stakes
* 1977/04/26 =Burghclere (GB), b filly by =Busted (GB) – 1 win from 6 starts. Dam of Wind in Her Hair, who in turn is the dam of Black Tide [ja] and Deep Impact. Third dam of Rey de Oro, also through Wind in Her Hair.
* 1978/04/30 =Beacon Hill (GB), ch filly by =Bustino (GB) – winless in 3 starts.
* 1979/04/14 Height of Fashion (FR), b filly by =Bustino (GB) – champion, multiple stakes winner. dam of Nashwan, Nayef and Unfuwain. second dam of Ghanaati
* 1982/04/14 =Bright Sun (GB), b filly by Mill Reef – unraced
* 1985/04/14 Highbrow (GB), bay filly, by Shirley Heights (GB) - 1 win and 6 placings, including 2nd Ribblesdale Stakes. Dam of multiple winners. second dam of Ask
* 1987/04/11 Marienski (USA), b colt by Nureyev – 1 win from 8 starts
* 1988/05/10 Wily Trick (USA), b filly by Clever Trick 1976 – winless in 5 starts. dam of Elegant Fashion (Hong Kong Derby)
* 1989/04/29 Hierarch (USA), ch colt by Diesis (GB) – 2 wins from 22 starts in Europe and America
* 1990/05/09 Scarlet Tunic (USA), dk b/ colt by Blushing Groom (FR) – 1 win from 10 starts
* 1992/02/02 Clear Attraction (USA), bay filly by Lear Fan (USA) – unplaced in 1 start

The family is still producing stakes winners around the world. For example, Talismanic, winner of the 2017 Breeders' Cup Turf, descends from Highclere through Burghclere.[15]

## Assessment and honours

[edit]

Highclere was given a rating of 129 by Timeform.[3]

In their book, A Century of Champions, based on the Timeform rating system, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Highclere a "superior" winner of the 1000 Guineas and the forty-sixth best filly or mare trained in Britain or Ireland in the 20th century.[16]

## Pedigree

[edit]

Pedigree of Highclere (GB), bay mare, 1971[17] Sire
Queen's Hussar (GB)
1960  | March Past
1950  | Petition | Fair Trial

|
|
|

Art Paper
Marcelette  | William of Valence
Permavon
Jojo
1950  | Vilmorin  | Gold Bridge
Queen of the Meadows
Fairy Jane  | Fair Trial
Light Tackle
Dam
Highlight (GB)
1958  | Borealis
1941  | Brumeux  | Teddy
La Brume
Aurora  | Hyperion
Rose Red
Hypericum
1943  | Hyperion | Gainsborough
Selene
Feola  | Friar Marcus
Aloe (Family 2-f)[1]

Highclere was inbred 3x4 to Hyperion, meaning that the stallion appears in both the third and fourth generations of her pedigree. She was also inbred 4x4 to Fair Trial.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Hyacinthus Mare - Family 2-f". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
2. ^ "The 7th Earl of Carnarvon". Telegraph. 13 September 2001. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
3. ^ a b Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1990). Horse Racing: Records, Facts, Champions (Third Edition). Guinness Publishing. ISBN 0-85112-902-1.
4. ^ "English turf classic to Queen's filly". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
5. ^ "Queen's quest for the Derby". Brisnet.com. 1 June 2011. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
6. ^ "Queen jumps for joy". Calgary Herald. 17 June 1974. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
7. ^ "The Queen's own sport". Diamondjubileeguide.com. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
8. ^ "Royal research to name horses". Sydney Morning Herald. 3 April 1979. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
9. ^ Schmitz, David (2 August 2000). "Champion Mare Height of Fashion Dies at 21". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
10. ^ "Classic winner, Classic influence". Ownerbreeder.co.uk. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
11. ^ "Fillies star in Guineas for Unfuwain". Racing Post. 10 May 2000. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
12. ^ "Highclere Offspring". www.pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
13. ^ "Sales Catalogue Page for Making Hay" (PDF). Tattersalls. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
14. ^ "Highclere | Progeny". Racing Post. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
15. ^ Reilly, Kellie (4 November 2017). "Talismanic proves the charm in Breeders' Cup Turf". Brisnet. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
16. ^ Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1999). A Century of Champions. Portway Press. ISBN 1-901570-15-0.
17. ^ "Highclere pedigree". equineline.com. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012.

* v
* t
* e

1000 Guineas winners

* 1814 Charlotte
* 1815 Filly by Selim
* 1816 Rhoda
* 1817 Neva
* 1818 Corinne
* 1819 Catgut
* 1820 Rowena
* 1821 Zeal
* 1822 Whizgig
* 1823 Zinc
* 1824 Cobweb
* 1825 Tontine
* 1826 Problem
* 1827 Arab
* 1828 Zoe
* 1829 Young Mouse
* 1830 Charlotte West
* 1831 Galantine
* 1832 Galata
* 1833 Tarantella
* 1834 May-day
* 1835 Preserve
* 1836 Destiny
* 1837 Chapeau d'Espagne
* 1838 Barcarolle
* 1839 Cara
* 1840 Crucifix ‡
* 1841 Potentia
* 1842 Firebrand
* 1843 Extempore
* 1844 Sorella
* 1845 Pic-nic
* 1846 Mendicant
* 1847 Clementine
* 1848 Canezou
* 1849 The Flea
* 1850 Lady Orford
* 1851 Aphrodite
* 1852 Kate
* 1853 Mentmore Lass
* 1854 Virago
* 1855 Habena
* 1856 Manganese
* 1857 Imperieuse
* 1858 Governess
* 1859 Mayonaise
* 1860 Sagitta
* 1861 Nemesis
* 1862 Hurricane
* 1863 Lady Augusta
* 1864 Tomato
* 1865 Siberia
* 1866 Repulse
* 1867 Achievement
* 1868 Formosa ₩ ‡
* 1869 Scottish Queen
* 1870 Hester
* 1871 Hannah ₩
* 1872 Reine
* 1873 Cecilia
* 1874 Apology ₩
* 1875 Spinaway
* 1876 Camelia
* 1877 Belphoebe
* 1878 Pilgrimage
* 1879 Wheel of Fortune
* 1880 Elizabeth
* 1881 Thebais
* 1882 St Marguerite
* 1883 Hauteur
* 1884 Busybody
* 1885 Farewell
* 1886 Miss Jummy
* 1887 Reve d'Or
* 1888 Briarroot
* 1889 Minthe
* 1890 Semolina
* 1891 Mimi
* 1892 La Fleche ₩
* 1893 Siffleuse
* 1894 Amiable
* 1895 Galeottia
* 1896 Thais
* 1897 Chelandry
* 1898 Nun Nicer
* 1899 Sibola
* 1900 Winifreda
* 1901 Aida
* 1902 Sceptre ₩ ‡
* 1903 Quintessence
* 1904 Pretty Polly ₩
* 1905 Cherry Lass
* 1906 Flair
* 1907 Witch Elm
* 1908 Rhodora
* 1909 Electra
* 1910 Winkipop
* 1911 Atmah
* 1912 Tagalie
* 1913 Jest
* 1914 Princess Dorrie
* 1915 Vaucluse
* 1916 Canyon
* 1917 Diadem
* 1918 Ferry
* 1919 Roseway
* 1920 Cinna
* 1921 Bettina
* 1922 Silver Urn
* 1923 Tranquil
* 1924 Plack
* 1925 Saucy Sue
* 1926 Pillion
* 1927 Cresta Run
* 1928 Scuttle
* 1929 Taj Mah
* 1930 Fair Isle
* 1931 Four Course
* 1932 Kandy
* 1933 Brown Betty
* 1934 Campanula
* 1935 Mesa
* 1936 Tide-way
* 1937 Exhibitionnist
* 1938 Rockfel
* 1939 Galatea II
* 1940 Godiva
* 1941 Dancing Time
* 1942 Sun Chariot ₩
* 1943 Herringbone
* 1944 Picture Play
* 1945 Sun Stream
* 1946 Hypericum
* 1947 Imprudence
* 1948 Queenpot
* 1949 Musidora
* 1950 Camaree
* 1951 Belle of All
* 1952 Zabara
* 1953 Happy Laughter
* 1954 Festoon
* 1955 Meld ₩
* 1956 Honeylight
* 1957 Rose Royale
* 1958 Bella Paola
* 1959 Petite Etoile
* 1960 Never Too Late
* 1961 Sweet Solera
* 1962 Abermaid
* 1963 Hula Dancer
* 1964 Pourparler
* 1965 Night Off
* 1966 Glad Rags
* 1967 Fleet
* 1968 Caergwrle
* 1969 Full Dress
* 1970 Humble Duty
* 1971 Altesse Royale
* 1972 Waterloo
* 1973 Mysterious
* 1974 Highclere
* 1975 Nocturnal Spree
* 1976 Flying Water
* 1977 Mrs McArdy
* 1978 Enstone Spark
* 1979 One in a Million
* 1980 Quick As Lightning
* 1981 Fairy Footsteps
* 1982 On The House
* 1983 Ma Biche
* 1984 Pebbles
* 1985 Oh So Sharp ₩
* 1986 Midway Lady
* 1987 Miesque
* 1988 Ravinella
* 1989 Musical Bliss
* 1990 Salsabil
* 1991 Shadayid
* 1992 Hatoof
* 1993 Sayyedati
* 1994 Las Meninas
* 1995 Harayir
* 1996 Bosra Sham
* 1997 Sleepytime
* 1998 Cape Verdi
* 1999 Wince
* 2000 Lahan
* 2001 Ameerat
* 2002 Kazzia
* 2003 Russian Rhythm
* 2004 Attraction
* 2005 Virginia Waters
* 2006 Speciosa
* 2007 Finsceal Beo
* 2008 Natagora
* 2009 Ghanaati
* 2010 Special Duty
* 2011 Blue Bunting
* 2012 Homecoming Queen
* 2013 Sky Lantern
* 2014 Miss France
* 2015 Legatissimo
* 2016 Minding
* 2017 Winter
* 2018 Billesdon Brook
* 2019 Hermosa
* 2020 Love
* 2021 Mother Earth
* 2022 Cachet
* 2023 Mawj
* 2024 Elmalka
* 2025 Desert Flower

Legend \- ₩ = Fillies Triple Crown winners, † = Epsom Derby winners, ‡ = 2000 Guineas Stakes winners

* v
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Elizabeth II

Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms (1952–2022)

Realms|

* Antigua and Barbuda
* Australia
* The Bahamas
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Titles and
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* Head of the Commonwealth
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* Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (husband)
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* Christmas pantomimes
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Reign|

* Household
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* 1999 Australian republic referendum
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* 2021
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Jubilees|

| Silver Jubilee|

* Events
* Medal
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* Jubilee Gardens
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|

Ruby Jubilee|

* Queen's Anniversary Prizes

Golden Jubilee|

* Prom at the Palace
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* Medal
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* The Odyssey
* 2002 royal tour of Canada

Diamond Jubilee|

* Pageant
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* Medal
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Sapphire Jubilee|

Sapphire Jubilee Snowflake Brooch

Platinum Jubilee|

* Medal
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* Elizabeth line
* Platinum Party at the Palace
* Pageant
* Platinum Jubilee Celebration: A Gallop Through History
* Trooping the Colour
* National Service of Thanksgiving
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* The Queen's Green Canopy
* Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours
* The Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta
* The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Concert
* Big Jubilee Read
* "Queenhood"
* Queen's Platinum Jubilee Gardens

Commonwealth
tours|

* Aden Colony
* Antigua and Barbuda
* Australia
* official openings
* Canada
* Ceylon
* Jamaica
* New Zealand
* Saint Lucia
* Sierra Leone

| Ships used|

* HMS Vanguard (23)
* SS Gothic (1947)
* HMY Britannia

|

State visits|

| Outgoing|

* State visit to Spain
* State visit to Russia
* State visit to Ireland

|

Incoming|

* Juan Carlos I
* Pope Benedict XVI
* President Michael D. Higgins
* President Xi Jinping

Broadcasts|

* Christmas messages
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Depictions|

| Books|

* The Little Princesses (1950)
* The BFG (1982)
* The Queen and I (1992)
* Queen Camilla (2006)
* The Uncommon Reader (2007)
* Winnie-the-Pooh Meets the Queen (2016)

|

Documentaries|

* Royal Journey (1951)
* A Queen Is Crowned (1953)
* Royal New Zealand Journey (1954)
* The Queen in Australia (1954)
* The Royal Tour of the Caribbean (1966)
* Royal Family (1969)
* Elizabeth R: A Year in the Life of the Queen (1992)
* Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work (2007)
* The Diamond Queen (2012)
* Elizabeth at 90: A Family Tribute (2016)
* The Coronation (2018)
* Elizabeth: A Portrait in Parts (2022)
* Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen (2022)
* The Cowboy and the Queen (2023)

Fictionalised film
and television
depictions|

* Spitting Image (1984–96); (2020–21)
* The BFG (1989)
* A Question of Attribution (1992)
* Willi und die Windzors (1996)
* Her Majesty (2001)
* The Queen (2006)
* South Park: The Snuke (2007)
* The Queen (2009 TV serial)
* Happy and Glorious (2012)
* A Royal Night Out (2015)
* Minions (2015)
* The BFG (2016)
* The Crown (2016–23)
* The Queen's Corgi (2019)
* 2020 alternative Christmas message
* The Prince (2021)

Plays|

* A Question of Attribution (1988)
* The Audience (2013)
* Handbagged (2013)

Portraits|

* Herbert James Gunn (1950)
* Herbert James Gunn (1953–56)
* William Dargie (1954)
* Pietro Annigoni (1955, 1969 and 1972)
* Andy Warhol (1985)
* Richard Stone (1992 and 2015)
* Justin Mortimer (1997)
* John Wonnacott (2000)
* Rolf Harris (2005)
* Ralph Heimans (2012)
* Damien Hirst (2014)
* Henry Ward (2016)
* Ai-Da (2022)

Stamps|

* Wilding series
* Canadian domestic rate stamp
* Castle series
* Country definitives
* Machin series (list)

Statues|

* Windsor
* Winnipeg
* Lagos
* Toronto
* York Minster
* Oakham
* Antrim
* Newcastle-under-Lyme
* Andover
* London (planned)

Songs|

* "God Save the Queen" (Sex Pistols song)
* "Her Majesty"

Animals|

| Corgis|

* Dookie
* Susan

|

Horses|

* Aureole
* Burmese
* Carrozza
* Dunfermline
* Estimate
* Height of Fashion
* Highclere
* Pall Mall
* Winston

Death|

* Reactions
* Queue for the lying-in-state
* State funeral
* Operation London Bridge
* Guests
* "Like as the hart"
* "Who shall separate us?"
* "Sleep, Dearie, Sleep"
* Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day
* Honours

Related|

* Jewels
* Namesakes
* Ships christened
* Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust
* Sagana Lodge
* Villa Guardamangia
* Dorgi
* Children's Party at the Palace
* The Queen's Birthday Party
* Jeannette Charles
* Rosa 'Queen Elizabeth'
* Queen Elizabeth cake

* ← George VI
* Charles III →

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