Rare Print of 1906 Derby Winning Horse “Spearmint”

Major Eustace Loder's Horse "Spearmint"
After Alfred Charles Havell (1855-1928)
Colour printed photogravure with hand tinted finish
Published by Messrs. Fores, Piccadilly
London, 1906

Measures:-
43.2 cm high x 53.5 cm wide (image)
50.2 cm high x 60.4 cm wide (framed)

In its original Edwardian dark oak frame.

Lettered beneath the image with the title "Spearmint / By Carbine - Maid of the Mint" / The Property of Major Eustace Loder / From the Original Picture by A.C. Havell. / Winner of the Derby & The Grand Prix 1906 &c.

Publication details Published Aug 1st 1906 by Messrs. Fores, 41 Piccadilly, London.

A fine copy of this excellent image of the 1906 Derby and Grand Prix de Paris Winner "Spearmint" (1903–1924). The horse probably depicted at Epsom with the American jockey Danny Maher up in the saddle, wearing the colours of his Irish based owner Maj Eustace Loder (1867-1914), of a yellow jacket with blue sleeves and a black cap. Maj. Loder (a.k.a. "Lucky Loder") had served in the 12th Lancers before distinguishing himself as a racehorse owner. His winnings on his horses between 1900 and 1914 totalled in excess of £135,000 (around £10.5 million in today's money). He became a Steward of the Jockey Club but died at the age of 47 from Bright's Disease, just before WW1.

 "Spearmint" was trained by Peter-Purcell Gilpin. He was ridden by Danny Maher in the Derby and by the Irish jockey Bernard Dillon in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp. "Spearmint" went on to have a particularly successful career at stud; he sired the winners of 295 races - including a number of international classics winners.

Alfred Charles Havell was a member of the Havell family which included John James Audubon's engraver and printer: Robert Havell, Jr. Alfred Charles Havell first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1878 and soon afterwards took up commissions with Messrs. Fores to record important racehorses of the day for subsequent publication. He effectively became their retained in-house artist with a studio in their premises, a connection which continued until his death in 1928.

For prints by Havell see p.115-116, Charles Lane, "British Racing Prints 1700-1940", London, The Sportsman's Press, 1990