The Story of a Queens’s Horse: Estimate winner in the Ascot gold cup.

Estimate is a bay filly bred by the Aga Khan's Studs and foaled on 4 April 2009. She was sired by Monsun, who won the Europa Preis twice. He was also a successful stallion, siring Shirocco, Manduro and Stacelita. Estimate's dam is Ebaziya, a daughter of Darshaan. Ebaziya was trained by John Oxx and won three Listed races in Ireland, including the Ballysax Stakes.

The 2009 produce of Ebaziya was made available to Queen Elizabeth II as part of an 80th birthday present from the Aga Khan. She was sent to German sire Monsun, resulting Estimate. She is the 14th and last foal of Ebaziya and one of her eight winning offspring.

In June 2013 she returned to Ascot for the Royal meeting and contested the Ascot Gold Cup, her first attempt at Group 1 level. Saddler's Rock led the race for the first few furlongs, with Estimate, ridden by regular jockey Ryan Moore, near also near the front. Moore asked for an effort as they turned into the finishing straight and took the lead from Colour Vision with one furlong still to run. Estimate was challenged by Simenon and Top Trip, but held on to win by a neck from Simenon. Top Trip was a further length behind in third, with Colour Vision finishing fourth.

The Queen was due to present the trophy to the winner, but it was instead presented by her son Prince Andrew. Estimate's victory was the first time the Gold Cup had been won by the reigning monarch.