Aidan O'Brien sorry for denying Queen Gold Cup win
WINNING trainer Aidan O'Brien apologised after Leading Light denied the Queen's Estimate back-to-back victories in the Gold Cup.
It was a heart-stopper of a finish with the first two separated by a neck, followed a head behind by Galway Hurdle winner Missunited.
Her Majesty presented the winning trophy to O'Brien and he said: "I'm sorry we beat the Queen - she was an absolute lady. It was some performance from Estimate coming here without a run this season."
Victory for O'Brien was a sixth in the prestigious contest and a first for his son Joseph.
"He's a very brave horse with a lot of class," said the trainer. "I would have no hesitation in bringing him back for the King George over a mile and a half."
Young O'Brien, often criticised for his lack of strength in finish, answered the sceptics when getting the better of Ryan Moore in a full-blooded finale - although the stewards handed out a seven-day ban which rules him out of the Coral Eclipse, and a possible ride on Derby winner Australia.
"Ryan was looking for a bit of room, as he was well entitled to, and I was entitled to keep the room I had," said Joseph.
"When I got to the front, my horse just wandered a little because he was getting tired."
Meanwhile, the Estimate camp took defeat graciously.John Warren, the Queen's racing manager, said: "We really couldn't ask for more. It was tremendous and the Queen got so much pleasure out of it.
"Estimate was so brave. Ryan Moore said it was a career best - she ran as well as you could have hoped."