ONE of the last great owner breeders and a property with 120 years’ history of the bloodstock industry,” said Philip Sheppard of Sheppard’s Auction House, Durrow, Co Laois, describing Sir Edmund Loder and his recently sold estate Eyrefield Lodge, the Curragh, Kildare.

Sheppard’s will auction some of the contents belonging to Sir Edmund and Lady Loder and other clients on next Thursday and Friday, March 11th-12th.

The most famous racehorse connected to Eyrefield was Pretty Polly, bred by Major Eustace Loder in 1901 before she developed into one of the greatest fillies of any era. She won the 1000 Guineas in record time at a canter, strolled home in the Oaks (100/8 on, the shortest price ever in a classic), then trashed the 2000 Guineas and Derby winner St Amant in the St Leger. She retired to stud as the winner of 22 of her 24 starts. At four her victories included the Coronation Cup, Champion Stakes and Jockey Club Cup. At five she won another Coronation Cup. Hugely influential as a broodmare, she is among those to be buried at the property and her blood is still in the present broodmare population.

Marwell

Sir Edmund and his wife Sue continued the illustrious history of the stud with a line headed by superstar sprinter Marwell. And a signed bronze by renowned sculptor Emma MacDermott of Marwell and her colt foal features as Lot 110.

Marwell’s daughter Marling was just beaten in the 1992 1000 Guineas but won the Irish 1000 Guineas and the Cheveley Park, Coronation Stakes and Sussex Stakes.

Marwell also produced Group 1 winner and Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up Caerwent, who raced in the gold and blue Loder silks, whereas Irish Oaks winners Unite and Vintage Tipple were other Eyrefield graduates.

“There are some really fascinating and rare items among the top quality furniture and paintings,” Philip continued.

One is a very rare Victorian steeplechase board game attributed to E. C. Spurin, London with a mahogany cased folding board together with bespoke boxed set of 12 lead horses and two waisted cylindrical dice cups, c. 1865.

“In my research, I found a similar model in the retained collection of Richard Ballam (not part of Ballam Collection of Games and Pastimes now held at the Bodleian Libraries, Oxford),” Phillip said. “The track is graduated so the pace is quickening towards the finish!”

And harking back to a more elegant era when “anyone who was anyone” had a car mascot mounted on the bonnet, a Louis Lejeune small Newmarket galloping racehorse car mascot Ornament of silver chromed bronze with the jockey painted wearing the Loder racing colours also features.

Other sale highlights include a painting of 1900 Grand National winner Ambush II by Emil Adam (1843-1924) and a rare marble sculpture of a vixen and two cubs by Joseph Gott (1785-1860).

Preview: sheppards.ie, email info@sheppards.ie

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