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

LANCASHIRE, Fulwood, [Preston Racecourse], an engraved silver pass, arms of the Earl of Derby with supporters, rev. d, no. 3, 40mm, 18.06g (W –; D & W –). Very fine and of the highest rarity; a significant piece originally owned by the founder of the Derby and Oaks racing festivals £1,000-2,000

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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Provenance: Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby, and by descent; bt Spink.

Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (1752-1834), was born at Patten House, Preston. Educated at Trinity College, Oxford, he succeeded to the title in 1771 and to the earldom in 1776. In the same year he became Lord-Lieutenant of the county of Lancaster, a position he held until his death. As a sportsman he had few peers and his wealth allowed him to patronise the favourite sports and amusements of his day, including the Derby and Oaks race meetings and cock-fighting, with some of the bird competitions being worth as much as 1,000 guineas to the winner.

The racecourse at Preston was laid out on Fulwood Moor on part of land that had been occupied by Oliver Cromwell’s right wing at the battle of Preston, August 1648. Between 1727 and 1833 races were held regularly, the start being marked by a large stone which is still in place today. After a 9-year gap racing resumed in 1842 but the final event was held in March 1850