Royal racehorse aiming to give King 'a bit of a boost' by winning at Sedgefield

06 February 2024 , 12:19

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King Charles could get a boost from the debut of Reach For The Moon, owned by the Queen, at Sedgefield (Image: PA)

King Charles could be given “a bit of boost” following his cancer diagnosis with a victory from his wife’s racehorse on Wednesday.

Reach For The Moon was a one-time leading candidate for the Derby when he was owned by the late Queen Elizabeth.

For the King and Queen he never recovered his best form on the Flat and has now been transferred to jumps trainer Jamie Snowden under a change of ownership.

The King is no longer an owner but the Queen has retained her stake in the horse, who is now jointly owned with Sir Chips Keswick, best known as the former chairman of Arsenal.

Entered at the Cheltenham Festival, he will take his first step towards a possible appearance in a maiden hurdle at Sedgefield in County Durham.

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King George VI Chase-winning jockey Gavin Sheehan has the mount in a race Reach For The Moon would be expected to win if his Flat form translates to hurdles.

“We have got to get started somewhere,” said Snowden. “I am hoping he can run a nice race. He works very nicely, as you would expect for a horse of his talent. He has taken well to jumping from the word go.

Frankie Dettori on Reach For The Moon when he raced on the Flat (Getty)

“He had a bit of a break back at Sandringham through the autumn and came to us around November time. He’s done plenty of work since. It’s all very well doing it at home, he’s got to do it on the track.”

Reach For The Moon holds an entry in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, for which he is a 20-1 chance.

He will make his debut 48 hours after Buckingham Palace announced that the King would step back from public-facing duties to start cancer treatment.

Snowden added: “You would have thought Reach For The Moon might need a couple of runs if he were to go to Cheltenham but we will keep the options open.

“Reach For The Moon was a very talented horse on the Flat and he now runs in the colours of Her Majesty The Queen. Fingers crossed he can give them all a bit of a boost.”

Jon Lees