Valentine Low, a royal biographer and former royal correspondent for The Times, has disclosed in his new book that the late Queen couldn’t “stand” one legendary pundit
Queen Elizabeth “really” enjoyed a particular Channel 4 programme, but reportedly couldn’t “stand” a legendary pundit associated with the coverage. Royal biographer and former Times Royal correspondent Valentine Low has made the claim in his latest book, which reveals how the late monarch relished watching a specific sport.
It’s well documented that she was passionate about horse racing, even indulging in lengthy telephone conversations about horses with celebrated Cheltenham trainer Nicky Henderson. The duo would chat for “hours on the foals, the yearlings, pedigrees, the track.”
Her late Majesty also “really” enjoyed the Channel 4 broadcasts. Nevertheless, the Royal authority has disclosed that she wasn’t keen on the Saturday morning preview for one particular reason.
Valentine quotes her as declaring: “I really like the Channel 4 coverage in the afternoon and I always like to watch it when my horses are running, but the morning line? I can’t watch it. I can’t stand that man John McCririck.”
John McCririck, who passed away in 2019 aged 79, was a recognisable figure in British horse racing. He was equally notorious for his loud, eccentric manner, attire, and deerstalker hats.
A larger than life personality who had previously worked as a journalist and bookmaker, John was identifiable by his distinctive facial hair and for puffing on large cigars (which he would enjoy at racing events).
Paying homage to John, the iconic jockey Frankie Dettori described him as “very flamboyant and controversial”, but acknowledged that he’d “always got on really well” with the racing pundit.
Yet, for the former Queen, it would appear that horse racing was something of a serious business. Speaking to The Times, Henderson divulged that she wasn’t to be trifled with when it came to the sport, saying, “very much so” when recalling her forthrightness.
Henderson further commented: “But she knew what she was talking about. I’ve got people who tell me what to do and what not to do, but they haven’t got the first clue.”
He also noted that his Sunday phone conversations with the Queen about horses were often “short and sweet,” and sometimes he would “get the feeling she had nothing on,” adding that she “loved it.”
Earlier this year, Andrew Balding (brother of TV presenter Clare), a trainer who worked with many of her horses, spoke to the Telegraph about the times the Queen would visit her horses.
His wife, Anna Lisa, recalled: “Do you remember that first time she walked in. We’d done up the kitchen, and we just wandered through, and you’d go and sit and have tea. I was amazed by her knowledge.”
He concluded: “I think she felt relaxed here.” The monarch reportedly had 24 Royal Ascot winners to her name, the last of which being Tactical, ridden by James Doyle in the Windsor Castle Stakes in 2020.
