Items from horse racing's first Triple Crown winner will be auctioned May 5th
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Friday, October 11, 2024


Items from horse racing's first Triple Crown winner will be auctioned May 5th
Three race-worn saddle cloths, part of an archive of items from Sir Barton – horse racing’s first Triple Crown winner – will come up for bid in Weiss Auctions’ online-only May 5th auction.



LYNBROOK, NY.- What are believed to be the saddle, three race-worn saddle cloths, jockey’s helmet and trainer’s hat from Sir Barton – horse racing’s first Triple Crown winner, from 1919 – will headline an online-only auction planned for Thursday, May 5th, by Weiss Auctions. The auction will be held two days in advance of this year’s Kentucky Derby, slated for May 7th.

“We are thrilled to offer what might be considered one of the most, if not the most, single important historic find in race horse history,” said Philip Weiss of Weiss Auctions. “This is an archive for the true race horse historian, horse owner or museum curator.” It’s the expected top lot in a massive, 500-lot auction of sports memorabilia, Disney collectibles and animation art.

Also offered in the sale will be extremely rare early 20th century boxing card uncut proof sheets, a collection of Zaccagnini Disney figurines, an early original Charles Schulz Peanuts daily strip, important sports card and autographs. Internet bidding will be through LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. For more information, the Weiss Auctions website is www.weissauctions.com.

The story behind the discovery of the Sir Barton archive is nearly as fascinating as the archive itself. It begins with the consignor, who wishes to remain anonymous, taking one of many trips to Florida from her home in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. "I often stop at flea markets and antique stores anywhere I go when there’s time, looking for unique hats and sunglasses,” she said.

Nearly a decade ago, on her way back from Florida, she stopped at a few flea markets on her usual route (along Old Hwy. 63, through northwest Arkansas) and was making her way through an old store when she noticed a dusty black top hat in a corner booth. “I passed it by,” she said, “but then I picked it up and took it to the front. I was told it was part of a lot that had to be sold together.”

Upon looking in a basket comprising the lot, she saw saddle blankets, a saddle, crops and other items. “All were very old and dusty, obviously horse racing items, so I decided to buy the lot because I had ideas to have a horse racing display in my house someday,” she said. “When I got home I put them in a plastic tub with my other findings, closed it up and stacked it with the rest.”

Several years later, she began pulling the tubs out and when she got to that tub she began examining everything and envisioning a display. “I was looking at the saddle, thinking I might cut it in half to mount it on the wall when I turned over the leg saddle flap and barely noticed something there inscribed in the leather. It read, ‘Sir Barton’. I gasped. I may have screamed. I was in shock.”

She immediately started researching Sir Barton, reading and looking at the few photos there are of him online. “I couldn't believe my eyes,” she said. “Several of my items were clearly in the photos.” Upon further examination, she discovered the initials ‘GB’ (Guy Bedwell) inside the top hat. “I also discovered the initials ‘JL’ (Johnny Loftus) in the jockey skull cap. I tell you, cried.”

Further research revealed that after Guy Bedwell passed away, his now late son and assistant trainer, Leonard Bedwell, moved to a farm in Arkansas, just off of Old Hwy 63. “It made sense to me how these items may have ended up in that old flea market down there,” she said. “I then very carefully stored and protected my newfound treasures. I knew I had something special.”

The consignor has never cleaned any of the items and for that she is grateful. “And I didn't tell anyone about my find but a couple close friends and my brother for fear it would get stolen. I felt it needed to be seen and enjoyed by all who love horse racing and I was responsible for getting it into the right hands.” Mr. Weiss said it’s anyone’s guess how much the lot will bring at auction.

Sir Barton was a chestnut colt bred in Kentucky by John E. Madden at Hamburg Place Farm, near Lexington. His paternal grandshire was the 1893 English Triple Crown winner Isinglass, and his half-brother was 1908 juvenile champion Sir Martin. In 1918, Madden sold Sir Barton for $10,000 to J.K.L. Ross, a Canadian businessman who had committed himself to horse racing.

The following year, 1919, Sir Barton won his season debut as a maiden in the Kentucky Derby, winning the race by five lengths. The next day he was shipped to Baltimore to participate in the Preakness, where he defeated Eternal by four lengths. He then won the Withers Stakes in New York in May and then the Belmont Stakes in June, completing the first Triple Crown in history.

Sir Barton’s four wins were accomplished in a span of just 32 days, and he was retroactively honored as 1919’s Horse of the Year. Later that same year his winning streak came to an end at the Dwyer Stakes, where he faced Purchase, another highly rated three-year-old. On a muddy track, Purchase caught up to Sir Barton in the final furlong and Sir Barton finished second.

Sir Barton finished 1919 with $88,250 in total winnings, just ahead of the legendary Man o’ War. As a four-year-old, Sir Barton won five of his twelve races. His match race on October 12, 1920 against Man o’ War at Kenilworth Park in Windsor, Ontario, remains as Canada’s most remembered horse race. But Sir Barton, running on bad hoofs, lost the race by seven lengths.










Today's News

April 15, 2022

Chris Gollon: Stations of the Cross on view this Easter

Picasso's striking portrait of his lover, Dora Maar, to star in Sotheby's Modern Evening Auction in Hong Kong

Rediscovered Old Masters shine in spring auctions at Koller

Painting by Picasso from the estate of Sir Sean Connery will lead Christie's Hong Kong sale

Northern Renaissance masterpieces on long term loan go on display at The Holburne Museum

Major Matisse exhibition coming to Philadelphia

Christie's Hong Kong Chinese Paintings Department presents exemplary works from the Classical Period

The Collection Jacqueline Matisse Monnier achieves $44,1M at Christie's

Jerry Uelsmann, surreal image-maker, dies at 87

David Zwirner to represent Huma Bhabha

Vancouver Art Gallery launches three new exhibitions

National Gallery acquires Jeffrey Smart work ahead of final weeks of exhibition

Exhibition of new and historical sculpture by Larry Bell opens at Dia Beacon

'To My Girls,' a toast to millennial 'instagays'

Mimi Reinhard, who typed up Schindler's List, dies at 107

Solo exhibition of ceramic artist Casey Whittier's work on view at Staenberg Gallery

In 'Harmony,' a band's success collides with history

Catalina Museum for Art & History announces Sheila Bergman as Executive Director

Christie's announces new management team for Christie's Middle East

Gabriel Barcia-Colombo joins C24 Gallery

Items from horse racing's first Triple Crown winner will be auctioned May 5th

Heritage Auctions to offer treasures from renowned collector and philanthropist Melvin 'Pete' Mark

At Swann Galleries April 28: Newly discovered Rembrandt drawing, early Picasso print & more

Stephenson's to host April 22 Superheroes, Comic Books, Sports Memorabilia & Posters Auction

Here's How to Understand forex no deposit bonus in Detail

The Commercialisation of Korean Culture

How to Setup & Use Nearby Sharing with Windows 11

Norgesspill review

Up to 50% Ancestry Renewal Discount On Memberships

How to Create Your Own Stickers

Four Ways to Grow Your Digital Art Collection

The Science Behind Foam: Understanding Density and Firmness




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Holistic Dentist
Abogado de accidentes

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful