Cowes for the use of Queen Elizabeth I sowed the seed for Cowes to grow into a world-renowned centre of boat-building. However, seafaring for recreation and sport remained the exception rather than the rule until much later. It was not until the reign of keen sailor George IV that the stage was set for the heyday of Cowes as 'The Yachting Capital of the World.' In 1826 the Royal Yacht Squadron organised a three-day regatta for the first time and the next year the king signified his approval of the event by presenting a cup to mark the occasion. This became
Dara Monarch from Tender King. In June Dara Monarch ran for the second time in Englan when he contested the St James's Palace Stakes (then a Group Two race) at Royal Ascot. The Henry Cecil-trained Ivano started 2/1 favourite, not so much because of his wins in the Feilden Stakes and Dee Stakes, but because of his reportedly outstanding performances on the training gallops. Dara Monarch was the 7/2 second choice, with the other seven runners including his old rivals Wind and Wuthering, Tender King, Anfield, Red Sunset and Achieved. Wind and Wuthering set the pace before giving was to Red Sunset