The horse of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has failed a drug test, it has been revealed.
The Queen had cheered her horse Estimate on to success at the Gold Cup in 2013 but the five-year old is in the dock now as he tested positive for banned substance morphine.
According to CNN, the Queen had been present at Ascot racecourse last year to see her horse win one of the world's most prestigious races. However, Estimate missed out narrowly on defending that crown last month, after which the drug is thought to have been consumed.
A statement released by the Palace said that initial findings showed that the positive test came from consumption of a contaminated feed product. The statement said that Her Majesty has been informed of the situation.
Estimate, who is trained by Sir Michael Stoute, could now be stripped of that second place finish.
A statement by John Warren, the Queen's Bloodstock and Racing Advisor, said that the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) had informed the Palace of the result of post-race samples on July 17.
Warren's statement said the five horses, under the care of various trainers, were affected, adding that he could confirm that one of those horses was Estimate, the five year-old filly trained by Sir Michael Stoute and owned by The Queen.
Warren said that Stoute is working closely with the feed company involved to discover how the product may have become contaminated prior to delivery to his stables.
