A Blue Peter racing plate, mounted on a wooden backboard inscribed gilt BLUE PETER, 2,000 GNS. WINNE...
A Blue Peter racing plate, mounted on a wooden backboard inscribed gilt BLUE PETER, 2,000 GNS. WINNER, 1939, DERBY WINNER, 11 by 13cm., 4 1/4 by 5in. Blue Peter was a chestnut colt foaled in 1936 by Fairway out of Fancy Free bred and raced by Lord Rosebery. In 1939 he won two Classics, the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby, as well as the Eclipse Stakes and was clearly the best three-year-old training. He was robbed of the chance of landing the Triple Crown when War was declared on 3rd September and the imminent St Leger was cancelled. A planned match against the French champion Pharis was also postponed. Blue Peter was retired to Mentmore. His best son was Ocean Swell who won the 1944 Derby and 1945 Gold Cup at Ascot. Blue Peter, a favourite of Lord Rosebery, died in 1957 and was buried in the grounds of Mentmore Towers.