RACEGOERS had a royal treat at the second day of York Racecourse’s Dante Festival.

A stunning performance by the Queen’s Carlton House, which won the Totesport Dante stakes, made the royal horse the two-to-one favourite for the Investec Derby at Epsom in June.

James Brennan, racecourse spokesman, said: “There was a huge cheer for Henry Cecil for winning with Midday and a nice touch in racing is that when the Queen’s horse wins, the gents take off their hats as a sign of enthusiasm for it.”

The Queen has another horse in today’s line up – Free Agent – running in the Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup at 2.30pm.

The festival yesterday continued with a football theme, Michael Owen and Alan Shearer being spotted at the racecourse, after Sir Alex Ferguson attended Wednesday’s meet.

Owen, who now has his own stables, turned out to see his horse Nemo Spirit run in the Investec Stakes – Handicap.

Mr Brennan said 13,514 people attended the day, four per cent up on 2010.