The Queen celebrated her first Royal Ascot winner in four years when Tactical took the Windsor Castle Stakes.
In the first two-year-old race of the week, the well-backed 7/2 favourite showed a smart turn of foot up the stands rail to collect the first prize.
Queen Elizabeth II last tasted victory at the prestigious fixture in 2016 with Dartmouth.
The 94-year-old monarch is understood to be watching on from Windsor Castle.
Her granddaughter Zara Tindall said yesterday: "She will be glued to the television as always and really sad not to be there."
The Queen, who had her first Royal Ascot triumph in 1953, came close to celebrating a double on the day.
Her runner in the 1.50pm, First Receiver hit the front in the final 100 yards under Frankie Dettori, but was overtaken by Russian Emperor.
Homebred Tactical had only run once, finishing third, but his effort could be upgraded as he suffered interference in the closing stages.
The winner, Eye of Heaven, set a new track record and is the favourite for the Norfolk Stakes on Friday.
Tactical's jockey James Doyle, doubling up after landing the feature on Lord North, said: "To ride Her Majesty a royal winner here, it's what dreams are made of.
Winning trainer Andrew Balding added: "This is really a special moment, its just sad as James was saying Her Majesty couldn't be here herself.
"We were expecting big things today and I'm just pleased it has come off."
