Description
THE ARKLE COLLECTION
A PRIVATE COLLECTION OF MEMORABILIA RELATING TO THE HIGHEST RATED STEEPLECHASER IN THE HISTORY OF NATIONAL HUNT RACING
comprising
The Arkle saddle,
the saddle used by Pat Taaffe for all of Arkle's victories, set with a metal plaque inscribed THIS IS THE SADDLE I USED WHEN I RODE "ARKLE" TO WIN ALL HIS RACES, then engraved with the signature of Pat Taaffe, stirrups a later addition by the current owner for presentation purposes; sold with a scan of an original typescript letter, undated but circa 1970, signed by Neil Durden-Smith, then Secretary of the Anglo-American Sporting Club, on Club letterhead, reading TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, THIS IS TO AUTHENTICATE THAT ARKLE'S SADDLE, SIGNED BY PAT TAAFFE, AND NOW OWNED BY MR. ARTHUR POWNALL, IS TRULY THE SADDLE USED DURING ALL OF ARKLE'S GREAT VICTORIES, the letter sent in response to a request from Arthur Pownall who had purchased the saddle at an Anglo-American Sporting Club after dinner auction
Provenance: Sold at Graham Budd Auctions, 8th November 2010, lot 642. The saddle was donated by Pat Taaffe for an after dinner auction at the Anglo-American Sporting Club in London where it was bought by Mr Arthur Pownall whose family consigned it for the 2010 auction.
The Arkle Bridle,
an authenticated bridle fixed with original reins worn by Arkle in some of his races, the bit inscribed ARKLE 19.4.1957, RETIRED 8.10.68; sold together with a frame mounted with all the original authentication relating to the sale of the bridle at a charity auction in 1970, including a signed letter of authenticity from T W (Tom) Dreaper on Greenogue headed paper dated 26th November 1970; a related letter from Anthony Fairbairn Secretary of the Racegoers Club, 42 Portman Square; the original purchase cheque made payable to the Arkle Memorial Fund; a press cutting regarding the Arkle Auction; and other items
Provenance: Sold at Graham Budd Auctions, 7th November 2011, lot 19. The bridle had been bought at a charity auction following a gala performance of the play 'The Jockey Club Stakes' at the Vaudeville Theatre, London, 9th November 1970. The evening was organised by the Racegoers Club as a principal money raiser for the appeal to erect a Doris Lindner-sculpted statue of Arkle at Cheltenham Racecourse, which of course came to fruition. The auction was conducted by the BBC commentator Peter Bromley and three items of Arkle memorabilia were auctioned. This bridle fetched £150 (although reported as guineas), a silver salver set with one of Arkle's shoes made £280, whilst Pat Taaffe's riding boots were purchased by the Duchess of Westminster for £100.
A pair of jockey boots owned and used by Arkle's jockey Pat Taaffe,
although not thought to have been used when riding Arkle, black and tan leather, the boot tops with embossed stamps PAT TAAFFE, the soles embossed P. TAAFFE
A Desmond Snee (Irish 1957-2005) oil painting of Arkle, signed, oil on canvas portrait of the great steeplechaser surrounded by vignette portraits of all who were associated with his major successes, clockwise from top left, Pat Taaffe (jockey), Anne Duchess of Westminster (owner), Tom Dreaper (trainer), Liam McLoughlin (jockey), T.P. Burns (jockey), Mrs. Mary Baker (breeder), Mark Hely-Hutchinson (amateur jockey) and Paddy Woods (jockey), 76 by 91.5cm., 30 by 36in., framed
A Desmond Snee limited edition print of Arkle with Pat Taaffe up, signed by Anne Duchess of Westminster, additionally signed by the artist, this being No.1 from the edition of 475, framed and glazed, 69.5 by 88 cm., 27 by 34 ½ in.
A large and stunning colour portrait of Arkle with Pat Taaffe up at Leopardstown, produced, coloured and enlarged from an original photograph by Jim Cashman, framed and glazed, overall 85 by 107cm., 33 ½ by 42in.
A Susan Crawford head portrait of Arkle, a print on canvas, 72 by 51cm., 28 by 20in., framed
A Jim Cashman photographic print of Arkle at Leopardstown, mounted, framed and glazed, overall 67 by 80cm., 26 ¼ by 31 ½in.
A Jack Gibson limited edition print of Arkle with his great rival Mill House beyond, signed in pencil by the artist, numbered 218/550, mounted, Framed and glazed, overall 64 by 72cm., 25 by 28in.
A Desmond Snee limited edition print of Arkle, head study, signed by the artist and numbered 57/850, framed and glazed, overall 68 by 55cm., 26 ¾ by 21 ½in.
A Martin Alford (contemporary) original watercolour titled ARKLE, HIS FIRST GOLD CUP, CHELTENHAM 1964, signed and dated 2003, the mount with a watercolour vignette of Anne Duchess of Westminster's racing colours above crossed jockey whip and hunting crop motif, the image 30.5 by 38cm., 12 by 15in., framed and glazed.
A signed Bernard Parkin photographic print titled ARKLE and PAT TAAFFE, FIRST STEEPLECHASE WIN, CHELTENHAM, 17 NOVEMBER 1962, signed in pencil by the photographer, title legend to lower mount, the image 38 by 30.5cm., 15 by 12in., framed and glazed
A further signed Bernard Parkin photographic print titled ARKLE AND PAT TAAFFE, CHELTENHAM, 12 DECEMBER 1964, signed in pencil by the photographer, title legend to lower mount, the image 30.5 by 38cm., 12 by 15in., framed and glazed
Four original photographs, Arkle being held by Anne Duchess of Westminster; Betty Dreaper holding a statue of Arkle, Tom Dreaper and Pat Taaffe either side; Arkle eating up in his stable; Arkle being held by his lad, all black and white, 3 in picture frames, the largest 8 by 10 in.
The trophy for the Power Gold Cup won by Arkle at Fairyhouse 15 April 1963, a hallmarked silver-gilt (gilding mostly rubbed away) three handled triangular section trophy cup, the body engraved with a "P" in a diamond, the wooden base set with an inscribed presentation plaque, height overall 43cm., 17in.
The trophy for the Milltown Chase at Leopardstown won by Arkle 23 April 1963, in the form of a silvered model of a racehorse and jockey on ebonised plinth and stepped base set with an inscribed presentation plaque, height 18cm., 7in.
A picture frame containing some strands of hair from Arkle, with the original letter sent from the horse's lad Paddy Woods who was fulfilling a request from a fan, also mounted with two pictures
A Beswick china model of Arkle, together with a Coalport limited edition plate of Arkle with artwork by Claire Eva Burton and a Royal Doulton limited edition plate of Arkle with artwork by Roger Coleman; a souvenir china dish with portrait and inscribed "THE MIGHTY ARKLE, IRELAND"; and a Danbury mint china box and cover with a portrait of Arkle by Melvyn Buckley.
A retainer agreement between trainer Tom Dreaper and jockey Pat Taaffe, registered at the Turf Club 13 January 1969.
A 45rpm single by Dominic Behan "Arkle", published by Piccadilly Records, 1965
A Goffs Bloodstock Sales Catalogue for August 1960 where Arkle was sold by his breeder Mrs Mary Baker as a three year old, offered as lot 148, and described by the auctioneer as "this gelding has just been broken and driven in long reins, but never ridden, 16 hands."
A Timeform National Hunt Edition for 1964/5, week commencing 22 March (after the Gold Cup) when his rating hit the 200 mark.
Two scarce pictorial brochures, "ARKLE THE HERO OF THE SIXTIES" and "ARKLE THE WONDER HORSE".
A collection of 8 Arkle racecards, i) Milltown Steeplechase, Leopardstown, 23 February 1963; ii) The John Jameson Cup, Punchestown, 1 May 1963; iii) Leopardstown Steeplechase, 27 February 1965; iv) Cheltenham Gold Cup, 11 March 1965; v) The Whitbread Gold Cup, Sandown Park, 24 April 1965; vi) Gallaher Gold Cup, Sandown Park, 6 November 1965; & vii) King George VI Steeplechase, Kempton Park, 27 December 1965; viii) Arkle's final race, King George VI Steeplechase, Kempton Park, 26 December 1966
A group of Arkle fan mail from the 1960's, including get well soon cards following his injury at Kempton Park on Boxing Day 1966, the group including an envelope that was simply addressed to "Arkle, Ireland" and duly arrived without any problems
Miscellaneous, books & publications on or featuring Arkle, plus a quantity of press cuttings, a video and other incidentals
Arkle is universally regarded as being the greatest steeplechaser of all time. His Timeform rating of 212 has never been eclipsed. A stable companion of Arkle named Flyingbolt reached 210. In recent times Sprinter Sacre 192 and Kauto Star 191 have come closest on Timeform ratings.
The gelding was bred by Mary Baker at Malahow near Naul in Co Dublin, and was foaled at the Ballymacoll Stud, Co. Meath. He carried the colours of Anne, Duchess of Westminster, was trained by Tom Dreaper at Greenogue, Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin, and was ridden in most of his races by Pat Taaffe. Arkle won a total of 27 victories from 35 races and was the first steeplechaser to capture the imagination of the public including those in general with little or no interest in horse racing.
Arkle won three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups between 1964 and 1966, whilst other major victories included the King George VI Chase (1965), the Irish Grand National (1964), two Hennessy Gold Cups (1964 & 1965), three Leopardstown Chases (1964-1966 inc.), a Whitbread Gold Cup (1965), the Gallagher Gold Cup (1965), the Punchestown Gold Cup (1963) and the Powers Gold Cup (1963). There would almost certainly have been more but for a career ending injury sustained in the 1966 King George.
In Ireland Arkle gained legendary status and received fan mail within envelopes simply addressed "Himself, Ireland." His commemorations include a statue at Cheltenham Racecourse, who also host the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Festival Meeting, whist the Arkle Novices' Chase is run at Leopardstown annual. The horse was the subject of a song by Dominic Behan and of a Republic of Ireland postage stamp issued in 1981 to mark the 25th anniversary of his retirement. After his death, Arkle's skeleton was put on display at the Museum at the Irish National Stud, Tully, Co. Kildare.
2014 marked the 50th anniversary of his first Cheltenham Gold Cup win.
