Gai and Robert Waterhouse have accepted an offer from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of seats on the federal government’s VIP flight to London for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, leaving on Thursday.
The Waterhouses were invited to the funeral by Lord Chamberlain Andrew Parker, and although not among the 10 invitees from Australia, the Prime Minister extended them the offer of seats on the plane.
“We have known the Queen and the Queen Mother for a long time, since Gai trained Clarence House for the Queen Mother, and we have had a long-standing relationship with them,” Robert Waterhouse told the Herald.
“Gai also trained Carlton House and Bold Sniper for the Queen, and we have had the privilege of taking afternoon tea with the Queen and her mother at Royal Ascot and others on a number of occasions. They were remarkable people.
“It is a very sad occasion, but we were very pleased to be commanded by the Lord Chamberlain to her majesty’s committal. It was very gracious of the Prime Minister to invite us to travel on his plane.”
Gai Waterhouse said it had always been an “immense honour” to train for the Queen.
Honoured: Gai Waterhouse.Credit:Getty
“She was just a lovely woman and racing was her passion,” Gai Waterhouse said.
The Waterhouses will join fellow Australian Racing Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller at the Queen’s funeral after he was one of 10 extended invitations.
“I have had so many messages about being invited to the funeral, and it is quite overwhelming,” Waller said. “It is so special to represent racing and all horse sports at the funeral.”
The other Australian to train for the Queen, David Hayes, has also been invited to attend the funeral on Monday. Hayes will travel from Hong Kong, where he is working.
“It was a big surprise but a big honour,” Hayes told Racing.com from Hong Kong. “She’s been to Lindsay Park, and I actually opened the door for her that day and closed the door as a young fellow.
“In recent times, I trained for the Queen with Bold Sniper, and I think still am the only person to train a couple of winners for her in Australia.
“Through that association, I would’ve spoken to her a number of times on the phone. John Warren was the person who organised it all, her racing manager, which we’re forever grateful of.”
