Scott Furssedonn-Wood, the British deputy high commissioner, hands over the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, that came all the way from Buckingham Palace, to Sudipto Sarkar, the chairman of Royal Calcutta Turf Club on race-eve. “In February 1961, 55 years ago, a sleek black open-topped car drove along the Race Course and stopped in front of the Grand Stand. Out stepped a smiling 34-year-old Queen Elizabeth accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. They spent an enjoyable afternoon here, at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club, watching the races, one of Her Majesty’s greatest life-long passions. And of course a race was run in Her Majesty’s honour and she presented the first Queen Elizabeth II Cup here. Every year since then, a new cup is sent from Buckingham Palace to Calcutta. It is my great pleasure and honour to hand over this year’s cup to the club tonight,” said Scott.