- Australian coach Henry Dwyer joked with King Charles
- Dwyer’s horse Asfoora won the King Charles III Stakes
Australian trainer Henry Dwyer has revealed his hilarious conversation with King Charles before his horse won one of Europe’s most esteemed races.
Dwyer’s horse Asfoora came home to win the Group One King Charles III Stakes on Tuesday night at Royal Ascot, becoming the sixth winner of the race in Australia.
Ballarat horse trainer Victoria was lucky enough to meet the King before and after the race.
“I spoke to (King Charles) before the race, we had a good chat and he was actually fantastic,” Dwyer told Nine’s Today programme.
Australian coach Henry Dwyer (pictured right) has revealed his conversation with King Charles.
Dwyer’s horse Asfoora won the Group One King Charles III Stakes on Tuesday at Royal Ascot.
“I’m not a monarchist by any means, we chat and then after the race we compare notes.” I think he made a bet.
“I told him before the race, ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you before the race, Your Majesty, but I’d rather talk to you after the race,’ and he took it the right way.
“He went and took a fiver or whatever, and everyone’s happy.”
Asfoora, who won by one length, had never won a Group 1 race before Tuesday’s race, and Dwyer planned to celebrate.
“We are currently in a taxi on the way to London,” the coach told Today.
“It could be like a Logies night…something like that.”
Royal Ascot, a five-day flat racing event held annually at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, is a major event on the social calendar.
The late Queen Elizabeth II famously loved the race, so much so that after her death some thought The Firm’s connection with her might end.
Dwyer believes King Charles bet on his horse in the King Charles III Stakes
But King Charles continued to attend the event and was photographed at times looking extremely happy, with photos showing the monarch smiling, laughing and chatting with other racegoers.
Other royal attendees included Princess Anne and her daughter Zara Tindall, 43, both famous for their love of horses, as well as Zara’s husband Mike Tindall and her brother Peter Phillips.
Queen Camilla accompanied the king and the royal couple arrived together in a carriage. Princess Eugenie was also photographed at the event.