Ascot Gold Cup 2013 Results: Winner, Top Finishers and Analysis

In one of the most exciting Ascot Gold Cup races fans will ever experience, it was Estimate—the horse owned by the Queen of England—that stole the show on the 2.5-mile course. Estimate sealed the victory by waiting until the last furlongs to take the lead before running to a stunning finish.

Estimate took home the victory at 7-2 odds, per BBC. Simenon managed to finish in second (5-1 odds) and Top Trip (7-1 odds) had a great run to finish third.  

Though Estimate faced a tough field of horses that were all serious contenders to win on Thursday, with a smart run by jockey Ryan Moore on the outside and a late push to the front, the filly was able to emerge past the field and seal a first-place run.

Moore told BBC, “All we had was this race in mind - it's fantastic to win for the Queen at Royal Ascot." Moore added, "We had a good draw and the pace wasn't mad at the beginning, she relaxed so well over the final furlongs.”

This was the Queen’s biggest victory as an owner and the first time a reigning monarch has ever won the elite race, via the Ascot’s official Twitter account:

The normally reserved Queen of England was visibly excited by the race result, and the crowd in attendance was in a frenzy over the victory and the monarch’s televised reaction:

Estimate’s trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, told BBC, “I really felt it was a tough task, I wasn't confident at all taking on the boys, but it's a great thrill. She's a pain in the backside at times though. It's a great honour to win for Her Majesty the Queen.”

While the victory ceremony normally consists of the Queen handing the trophy over to the winning owner, it was Prince Andrew that was afforded the opportunity to present the hardware to his mother in what was an amazing final scene.

Queen Elizabeth looked ecstatic during the presentation, but made sure she personally thanked Stoute, Moore and her entire horse racing team. Before she thanked anyone else, though, the Queen gave Estimate the first celebratory rub.

The Queen’s actions were the perfect finale for an amazing race.