We’ve been watching the Queen’s various moods for decades now, and it is not often we see her smiling, let alone beaming so hard she may well be on ecstasy. It usually happens once a year. Guess where?

At the races, of course – where her horses often win. But this time was special – this time was Royal Ascot. As she became the first reining monarch to have a orse win Royal Ascot’s biggest race.

According to Associated:

A beaming Queen Elizabeth II received the Gold Cup trophy on Thursday after becoming the first reigning British monarch in history with a winning horse in Royal Ascot’s biggest race.

The 87-year-old queen clapped and smiled broadly in the stands as Estimate, the 7-2 favorite, crossed the line to become the first filly to win the Gold Cup since Indian Queen in 1991.

The queen, who has been on the throne for 61 years, has attended Ascot every year since 1945. Thursday’s win was her 22nd overall at Ascot, but the first in the signature Gold Cup.

[more here]

Look at that face.

Pure joy.