Velas' Royal Experience at Ascot


New Zealand was been well-represented in the four-carriage Royal Procession on the final day of Royal Ascot, with Pencarrow Stud owners Sir Peter & Lady Pamela Vela amongst those honoured by an invitation to join the Procession.

Every day of the five-day Royal Ascot Festival, come rain or sunshine, The Queen arrives at the entrance of Ascot’s straight mile at precisely 2 p.m.

Drawn by the famous Windsor Greys, Her Majesty’s Landau leads the procession of carriages up the mile, past the Silver Ring, Grandstand and Royal Enclosure before finishing with a circuit of the Parade Ring.

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, accompanied The Queen on this occasion in the lead carriage.

Sir Peter Vela and his wife Lady Pamela Vela sharing the second carriage with General Sir Adrian Bradshaw and his wife, Lady Bradshaw.

Ex-pat trainer Chris Waller and his wife Stephanie also enjoyed a whirlwind 24 hours, celebrating his 18th Group One win for the season by also joining the Royal carriage procession.

Sir Peter Vela, who was knighted for services to the thoroughbred industry, is the owner of leading thoroughbred auction house, New Zealand Bloodstock, and a successful breeder and racehorse owner through his Pencarrow Stud in Tamahere.

Vela was one of six people appointed to the Racing Industry Transition Agency on Friday, with the goal of turning around the fortunes of the New Zealand racing industry.

- NZ Racing Desk