Queen Meets a Ky. Filly With an English Derby in Her Future

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth viewed the fruits of her thoroughbred matchmaking today in pursuit of what aides said was her one remaining goal in horse racing: a winner in the English Derby.

The queen, smiling and looking relaxed, walked into the grassy show ring near the yearling barn at Lane’s End Farm for her first look at a filly born to Christchurch, one of her prized mares.

The queen affectionately patted the chestnut filly’s nose and offered her gloveless hand to the youngster sired by leading stud Alydar, runner-up to Affirmed in the 1978 Triple Crown races.

She appeared pleased at the result of a breeding choice she had made for the mare during her last visit to the Kentucky horse country in October, 1984.

Lord Porchester, the queen’s racing manager, told reporters that during her visit she will see four other foals from the six mares she keeps in the United States.

Asked if the queen’s ambition was go get a Derby winner with a Kentucky sire, Porchester said: “Very much so. It’s the only classic race which has evaded her so far.”