A Fine Collection of Racing Tickets and Passes, the Property of a North Country Collector

GLOUCESTERSHIRE, Cheltenham, National Hunt Meeting, silver-gilt award medals by H. Miller (2), horse jumping fence while another rider approaches, revs. wreath, named (Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase, Alverton, 15th March 1978; Alverton, The Piper Champagne Gold Cup, Cheltenham, 15-3-79), both hallmarked London 1977, each 58mm, 78.54g, 78.58g [2]. Virtually as struck with frosted finishes, a unique pair of medals to the only horse to have won both the Arkle Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup; in green fitted cases of issue by Bunburys, 5 Dover Street, London W1 £300-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Racing Tickets and Passes, the Property of a North Country Collector.

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Alverton (1970-9), the great Rydale horse owned the Snailwell Stud Co and trained by Peter Easterby at Great Habton near Malton, Yorkshire, was ridden to success in the Arkle Chase in 1978 by Graham Thorner and in the Gold Cup in 1979 by Jonjo O'Neill. Tragically, one month after the Gold Cup victory, the 9-year old Alverton, again with O’Neill up, fell at Becher’s Brook on the second lap of the Grand National which he was the pre-race favourite to win, and had to be put down. Later O’Neill was to say of Alverton “he was a lovely horse, a grand character. We’d have won the National easily that year. Cantering at the front, we were, when he was killed at Becher’s second time round. Losing the National meant nothing. Losing Alverton was a tragedy”.

Racing was first organised at Cheltenham in 1815 on Nottingham Hill, before moving to Cleeve Hill and subsequently Prestbury Park, its current home, in 1831. The origins of the Cheltenham Festival date back to 1860 and the event has been held regularly each March since 1911, except in 2001