SALISBURY will tomorrow have the distinction of being the first course in the country to have a horse running in the colours of the new monarch.

Educator, trained at Newmarket by William Haggis, will contest a 10-furlong handicap for King Charles after the world-renowned silks and bloodstock were transferred to him following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth.

Jeremy Martin, Salisbury's clerk of the course, naturally welcomed the news.

He said: "We feel very honoured the King will have his first runner here and it's very exciting."

Haggis, among racing figures who attended the St George's Chapel on the days of the monarch's funeral, had the three-year-old cantered on the Warren Hill gallops as a mark of respect for The Queen on Newmarket's open weekend 11 days ago.

Educator has only run once this season, getting up in the final stride of a 10-furlong at racing's headquarters in April. 12 horses were originally entered for tomorrow's race but only three others have stood their ground.

The one-time Derby entrant will probably go off as favourite but has a major rival in Okeechobee. The Roger Charlton trained three-year-old will be making his debut on grass, having won on the all-weather tracks at Wolverhampton and Kempton.

Educator will be the mount of Tom Marquand who told a dedicated racing channel the occasion would be a moment to cherish.

"Hopefully we can get off to a good start," he said.

The Queen had been no stranger to success at Salisbury.

Probably the best was Estimate who, from winning a maiden at the track,  went on give her one of her greatest thrills as an owner by winning the Ascot Gold Cup. Her last winner was the two-year-old Circle of Fire who was most impressive in winning a novice race seven days before her death.

Tomorrow is the last day in Salisbury's 2022 calendar with the eight-race card attracting almost 80 runners. The first race is at 1.25pm.