(CNN) It's a love that has endured for over 70 years, since Queen Elizabeth II first visited a racing stable.
She was 16 and her father, George VI, was casting his eye over two of his prime race horses -- Big Game and Sun Chariot.
"She watched them do some gallops ahead of some big races that were imminent," journalist and author Julian Muscat told CNN Winning Post, "and afterward she went and patted them on the head and loved the feel and the silkiness of their coats.
"The story goes that she didn't wash her hands for the rest of the day."
Her passion remains undiminished. The Queen still rides horses every weekend, according to Muscat, and has made the Royal Ascot meeting -- held annually at Ascot racecourse, 26 miles outside of London -- a fixture of her calendar.
She's attended the event for more than seven decades, both as a spectator and a successful horse trainer. Over the years, she's enjoyed 23 winners at Royal Ascot.
A fan of horse racing from a young age, then-Princess Elizabeth is seen walking through the paddock at the Epsom Downs racecourse during the derby on May 27, 1950. An appearance at Epsom Derby would be her first official engagement as queen several years later.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh with members of the royal family including the late Queen Mother, at the Epsom Derby on June 2, 1977.
Queen Elizabeth II seen here with stud manager Sir Michael Oswald, watching the Derby in 1980. One of the queen's trainers, Andrew Balding says: "She is a very well informed and keen owner, probably the best-informed owner in the country."
Despite being one of the UK's best-known owners and breeders of racehorses, with around 30 horses currently in training, the queen has yet to claim victory at the Epsom Derby.
Her Majesty pictured with race goers during the Ever Ready Derby at Epsom racecourse in Epsom, England. It is said in racing circles that the British sovereign's reading material of choice over her breakfast is the Racing Post.
Perhaps her best chance to capture the Derby came last year with Carlton House. The red-hot favorite to win but bad luck in running and the loss of a shoe relegated the queen's runner to third.
READ: The Queen's unwavering passion for horse breeding at 90
Alongside the Derby, which takes place every year at Epsom on the first Saturday of June, it is one of the immovable events when her diary is being planned 18 months in advance.
What the Queen really enjoys, says Muscat, is speaking to like-minded horse lovers.
"She loves talking to the jockeys who ride her horses because they can give an insight into their character that she can't see for herself," he added.
'An in-built passion'
The Queen's affection for horses has also led to a successful career as a race horse owner.
John Warren, Bloodstock & Racing Advisory her majesty, describes the Queen as having "an in-built passion."
"It started when she was a teenager and she had hairy little ponies -- then her father introduced her to a thoroughbred," Warren explains.
"She got really addicted to it very young and nothing has diminished or changed over all these years."
Her horses enjoyed a record-breaking 2016, bringing in over $700,000. The majority of those winnings were passed onto the horses' trainers.
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However, according to Muscat, the Queen cares less about winning than being able to give her horses the chance to be the best they can be.
"She can content herself with the knowledge that she has given it the best chance in life," said Muscat.
As he puts it, "where there is good racing, the Queen's interest will automatically be triggered."
Meghan and Harry arrive at Royal Ascot with the Queen
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at Royal Ascot in a horse-drawn carriage, part of the famous royal procession that begins each day of racing at the Berkshire course west of London. The prestigious event is the jewel in the crown of the British Flat racing calendar.
Harry and Meghan, who were married at Windsor Castle last month, shared a carriage with the Duke and Duchess of Wessex.
Queen Elizabeth II is a big horse racing fan and never misses Royal Ascot. The tradition of riding by carriage through the Golden Gates and up Ascot's Straight Mile to open each day of racing was first introduced by King George IV in 1825.
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, sat next to his uncle, the Earl of Wessex, in the third carriage in the royal procession. During the five-day event, top hats and tails remain compulsory in parts of the course.
The Duchess of Sussex opted for a cream dress. Royal Ascot is known for high fashion, designer hats and pageantry. Horse racing has been held at the famous Berkshire course since 1711.
Harry and Meghan were all smiles as they arrived at the iconic Berkshire racecourse.
Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, rode in the second carriage during the royal procession.
This year Queen Elizabeth wore a bright yellow outfit for the first day of Royal Ascot.
Prince Harry and Meghan presented the trophy to jockey Frankie Dettori following his win on Without Parole in the St James's Palace Stakes, one of the feature races on day one at Royal Ascot.
Poet's Word defeated hot favorite Cracksman in the feature Prince of Wales's Stakes on day two of Royal Ascot. The victory gave trainer Michael Stoute his 76th winner in all at the royal meeting, beating the mark of the late Henry Cecil, trainer of Frankel.
Security was the watchword at this year's meeting after several recent incidents of unruly behavior at UK racecourses.
The Queen, who has been going to Royal Ascot since 1945, chose pink for Ladies' Day Thursday.
Veteran Dettori won the feature Ascot Gold Cup on Stradivarius on day three -- Ladies' Day -- at Royal Ascot. It was the Italian's sixth Ascot Gold Cup victory and 60th win at the meeting in all.
The Queen presented the silverware to the colorful Dettori as well as winning trainer John Gosden.
Royal Ascot is a pageant of high fashion, couture and world-class millinery, with Ladies' Day as the crowning glory.
Royal Ascot is the place to be seen and show off your outfit on Ladies' Day.
This hat is quintessentially Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot.