No winner for Queen at Musselburgh Racecourse

The Queen at Musselburgh Racecourse. Picture: Greg Macvean

Both Elementary and Forecaster came third in their respective races at the track yesterday, ridden by jockey Donnacha O’Brien, who was wearing Her Majesty’s purple and gold colours.

But the public were spared an opportunity to see the Queen’s reaction as she chose to watch from indoors, although she did appear briefly with the Duke of Edinburgh at the Queen’s Stand.

Her broadest smiles were perhaps saved for the smallest horses in the arena when she met her beloved Shetland ponies Cruachan IV – the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland – and his retired predecessor Lance Corporal Cruachan III, now aged 28. Pony Major Mark Wilkinson, speaking about the current army mascot, said: “He welcomes Her Majesty to Balmoral every year for her summer holiday, and any other time that Her Majesty is in Scotland she likes to see him.”

Earlier in the day, the Queen’s apparent preference for using sticky Post-it notes was recognised during a visit to Hamilton and Inches in George Street.

She was presented with a wood and sterling silver holder for the square pads of paper when she rounded off her visit to the jeweller – and described the gift as “very useful”.

Chief executive Stephen Paterson told her: “A little birdie told us that this may come in quite handy. It’s a Post-it note holder for your desk.”

The Queen said: “Oh, that’s very kind. It’s very useful.”

The Duke of Edinburgh, who accompanied her on the visit, noted that it was for “those sticky things”.

The Queen was also presented with a silver bowl inspired by the River Tay for her 90th birthday, while Philip received a kilt pin.

The presentation of the gifts came at the end of a trip around the firm’s showroom and workshops where the royal couple spoke to a number of craftsmen and women during the visit, which marked the 150th anniversary of the business, which is a royal warrant holder.

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