On domed base, the body slightly waisted and with two rows of lobes at lower body, domed cover with wavy rim and baluster finial, chased overall in 17th century style, with auricular masks and foliate scrolls, the handles cast with demi-putti with dolphin and cornucopias, on stepped ebonized wood base applied with four gold mounts including ASCOT 1906, the Royal coat-of-arms, a plaque engraved WON BY MR S.B. JOEL'S "BACHELOR'S BUTTON" AGED. 9st. 4lb., and another plaque engraved RIDDEN BY D.M. AMER TRAINED BY C. PECK, RECORD TIME, 4 MIN. 23 1-5 SEC., with fitted oak display case, fully marked on underside of cup and flange of cover, underside stamped R&S GARRARD & CO HAYMARKET, LONDON, case with plaque marked Garrard
16⁵⁄₈ in. (42.2 cm.) high
86 oz. 6 dwt. (2,684 gr.) weighable gold

Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, New York, 15 April 2010, lot 232.

Conditions of Sale
FAQs
This lot is offered by Christie's Inc

Brought to you by

Lot Essay

The winner of the 1906 Ascot Gold Cup was Bachelor's Button, owned by Soloman Barnato Joel, in what is considered one of the greatest upsets in British racing history. "The Ascot Gold Cup [of 1906] was supposed to be the final jewel in the crown for the greatest of all racemares. Five year old Pretty Polly was unbeaten in 20 starts in England and started at 4-11. But she had had a close call against Bachelor's Button in the two and a quarter mile Jockey Club Cup the previous year and this time he wore her down to score by a length. The winner was a good and gallant horse but he had shattered a public idol and was greeted with a stony silence" (Sue Montgomery, "Royal Turning Points - Six Milestones that Defined the Festival," The Independent, 17 June 2001).