During her 70-year reign, HRH attended some of history’s most iconic sporting events and was a life-long, passionate fan of horse racing. In addition to a flood of heartfelt messages from sports bodies and stars alike, a number of sports events have been cancelled as a mark of respect.
Horse Racing & Equestrian
Her Majesty’s favourite sport, as well as one of her beloved pastimes, horse racing is where she enjoyed being a spectator and an owner, winning 4 of the 5 British Classic races.
The racing world offered its deepest condolences to the figurehead of the country and a giant in racing with the British Horseracing Authority saying, “Her passion for racing and the racehorse shone brightly throughout her life, not only through her close involvement in breeding and racing horses, but in her roles as a patron of The Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and as the figurehead of Royal Ascot.”
Ascot Racecourse, which is on land from the Crown Estate and has a close relationship with the Royal Family, with the Queen often attending several times a year, released a statement “We at Ascot are privileged to have so many memories of Her Majesty The Queen at this her racecourse, including some wonderful victories in the Royal colours.”
One of the Queen’s most notable victories was at Royal Ascot in 2013 when her horse Estimate became the first owned by a reigning monarch to win the Gold Cup; a statue of Estimate stands proudly at Sandringham.
Having been a keen rider herself – often seen riding during leisure time or at the Trooping the Colour parade – the Queen enjoyed being involved in the racing community at all levels. Her strong competitive nature within the racing world came down to her passion for breeding the fastest horses, once saying that her “gamble” was to breed and train horses to be faster than those of other people. This desire could be seen in her love for equestrian sports such as showjumping, dressage, and cross-country, and she was often seen attending the iconic Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Cricket
As Britain’s most quintessential summer sport, and a game enjoyed around the Commonwealth, it is no surprise that cricket played a prominent role in the life of Queen Elizabeth II. During her reign, the Queen attended more than 25 Test matches at Lord’s, and regularly greeted players on the pitch. It was this personal touch that had the greatest impact on the sport and its participants.
As well as welcoming the captains of all 10 Cricket World Cup sides to Buckingham Palace prior to the start of the tournament in 2019, Her Majesty also struck up strong bonds with stars like Shane Warne and Dennis Lillee. On meeting the Queen for the first time, Lillee, a former Australia fast bowler who regarded the Queen as a “hero”, even plucked up the courage to ask for an autograph. Though protocol prevented Britain’s longest-reigning monarch from granting the request immediately, she sent Lillee a signed photograph in the mail a few weeks later.
“You could have picked me up off the floor and the picture takes pride of place in my house – the only memorabilia displayed apart from a few things in my office,” the cricketer said in his autobiography “Menace”. “It's a picture of me being introduced to the Queen at the very moment I was asking for her autograph, and it's signed 'Elizabeth R, 1977’. You can imagine how chuffed I was.”
When news of Queen Elizabeth’s passing was announced on Thursday, the ECB, understandably, postponed play on Friday 9 September in England’s ongoing Test with South Africa as a mark of respect for the monarch.
Tennis
A moment of silence was held in Arthur Ashe Stadium ahead of the US Open women’s semi-final between Ons Jabeur and Caroline Garcia. “We would like to pause to remember Queen Elizabeth II" the announcer said.
The Queen’s closest connection to tennis was as Patron of the All England Club (AELTC), a role she held for 64 years. AELTC said, “During this saddest of times, we would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty for her long and unwavering service to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, to the All England Club and The Championships as our Patron, and recognise her extraordinary legacy as Britain’s longest-serving monarch.”
Her Majesty attended the Wimbledon Championships most recently in 2010 where she watched Andy Murray in action against Jarkko Nieminen and met Roger Federer. Federer said at the time, “It was nice. She was very friendly, very relaxed. You could tell she has done this a million times. She made everybody feel very special at the table, one of those things you'll never forget and be able to tell to your kids or someone down the line.”
Yesterday, Roger Federer posted on social media:
Tributes also came from both the WTA and ATP, jointly posting, “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We are grateful for her contributions to tennis, and our thoughts and condolences are with the British Royal Family.”
Football
The world of football paid tribute to Her Majesty, with the Football Association offering their “deepest condolences” to the Royal Family and their president, Prince William:
England captains Leah Williamson and Harry Kane were also moved by her loss.
“A constant presence of grace and decency in a world that continued to change around her,” Williamson said of the Queen. “To comprehend the loss of our Queen is almost impossible, because it seemed, and we hoped, she could reign for ever. A wonderful monarch but an exceptional person.”
“My thoughts are with the Royal Family at this very difficult time,” Kane added. “The Queen was an amazing inspiration and will be remembered for her incredible years of service to this country. Rest in peace, Your Majesty.”
On 31 July this year, Williamson had the honour of lifting the UEFA Women’s European Championship at Wembley Stadium, exactly 56 years and 1 day after the Queen presented Sir Bobby Moore with the FIFA World Cup in 1966.
Although rumours have suggested she was a supporter of Arsenal or West Ham United, Her Majesty’s domestic football loyalties have never been confirmed.
Rugby
England Rugby said “On behalf of the rugby union community in England, all at the Rugby Football Union are very saddened to hear of the death of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and offer our condolences to the whole Royal Family at this time.”
Her Majesty was the first royal patron of the Rugby Football Union, taking the title in 1952, the year she came to the throne, and holding it for 64 years until 2016. During that time, she presented the Webb Ellis Cup to the victorious captains of the men’s teams at Rugby World Cup 1991 in England and Rugby World Cup 1999 in Wales, and met England's Rugby World Cup winning squad in 2003.
Scottish Rugby said it was "deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen and offered its condolences to the whole Royal Family". The Welsh Rugby Union added "We send the sincere and heartfelt condolences of Welsh rugby to the Royal Family after the passing of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II. Our Royal Patron for over 50 years graced our national stadium many times. We thank The Queen for years of service on this profoundly sad day."
Rugby Football League posted:
Motorsports
In 1950, Elizabeth attended the first ever Formula 1 championship race, held at Silverstone. Accompanied by her father, HRH King George VI, the young princess saw Nino Farina triumph for Alfa Romeo.
The motorsports industry has been quick to pay tribute to the monarch, with Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali stating, “For more than seven decades she dedicated her life to public service with dignity and devotion and inspired so many around the world. Formula 1 sends its deepest condolences to the Royal Family and to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.”
Many Formula 1 teams have also released their own messages of condolence, and George Russell, a British driver for Mercedes, said he was “so sad” to hear the news.
With the Italian Grand Prix weekend getting underway today, plans have been announced for teams, drivers, and officials to gather in the pit lane before the opening practice to observe a minute’s silence. A tribute is also expected to take place before the main race on Sunday, with details yet to be officially confirmed.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said, “Motor sport, and especially Formula 1, has its heart in the United Kingdom, and the Royal Family has over the years given great support and patronage to the sport. For this we thank them, and those events taking place around the world this weekend will undoubtedly be undertaken in honour of her Majesty.”
Boxing
Boxing legends past and present mourned the Queen’s death.
“Rest in Peace,” wrote British heavyweight Anthony Joshua, who received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2018, while reigning WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury added: “Thoughts and prayers with my Queen tonight, may God be with you. May the lord God grant you a good bed in heaven.”
Former world champion Frank Bruno said he was “devastated” by the news:
Golf
While Her Majesty did not play golf herself, her position as reigning monarch nevertheless tied her to the sport and its proud traditions.
Peter Forster, Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews – one of the world’s oldest golf clubs – said, “We are greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty today. Following her accession in 1952, Her late Majesty graciously accepted the Patronage of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, as has been the custom of reigning Monarchs since HM King William IV in 1834.
“Although not a golfer, Her late Majesty’s 70-year patronage of the Club was a great honour for its Members.
“We hold His Majesty the King and all The Royal Family in our thoughts at this time of mourning.”
Golf legends Sir Nick Faldo and Dame Laura Davies – 2 of the 4 golfers knighted during Elizabeth II’s reign – both paid tribute to her on Twitter:
“Thank you, your Majesty, you truly were Elizabeth the Great RIP,” Davies added.
Flags were flown at half-mast at Wentworth Golf Club on Thursday and Friday, where play was suspended at the BMW PGA Championship.
Athletics
Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah paid tribute, saying “The Queen was loved all over the world and meant so much to so many. Meeting her was one of the greatest honours of my life. We will remember her for her warmth and dedication to the British people throughout her reign.”
One of her most prominent links to athletics, and a glimpse of the Queen’s playful nature in a lifetime of dutiful stoicism, came in the form of a cameo in the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony where – escorted by her faithful corgis – she greeted the suave spy James Bond before seemingly parachuting out of a helicopter into the Olympic Stadium.
Swimming
HRH Queen Elizabeth II was an enthusiastic swimmer in her youth, once receiving a Challenge Shield for being the best swimmer under 14 at the Bath Club. After her coronation, her love of the sport led her to become a patron of the Amateur Swimming Association – the organisation that would become British Swimming.
Ellie Simmonds, a gold medallist Paralympian for Team GB, also paid her respects on Twitter, saying, “May you rest in peace, Your Majesty. Thank you for everything.”
Olympic champion James Guy tweeted a similar tribute, noting the monarch’s length of service and ending his message with “RIP.”
Rowing
British Rowing has issued a statement, with the organisation “deeply saddened” and sending their “heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family.”
One of the most prestigious and popular events on the rowing calendar, the Henley Royal Regatta, features a prize named the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. This trophy, presented to the winner of the school first eights race, got its name when the then-princess visited the regatta in 1946, the inaugural year of that particular race.
Princess Elizabeth also attended the Head of the River Race in 1951, where she was taken out on a boat to watch the racing.
Team GB gold medal winner Matthew Pinsent wrote, “thank you for everything” in a Twitter message to the deceased monarch, and a moment of silence is expected to be observed at the World Rowing Masters Regatta this afternoon.
Baseball
On 15 May 1991, during a tour of the United States, Queen Elizabeth attended her first, and only, game of baseball. Before the contest, which took place in Baltimore between the Orioles and Athletics, the Queen shook hands with players in the dugout before venturing out onto the field to wave to fans.
Once the action began, the monarch watched from an Owner’s Box at Memorial Stadium, while President George HW Bush, who accompanied her throughout, attempted to explain the rules. While it might not have been Her Majesty’s favourite sport (the Queen and Prince Phillip left shortly after the second inning), it was a ground-breaking visit that many in attendance will never forget.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 1926-2022
