A set of Brigadier Gerard silks, a violet jacket with cerise spots to body, cerise cap, mounted, framed & glazed, 91.5 by 71cm., 36 by 28in.; sold tog

A set of Brigadier Gerard silks, a violet jacket with cerise spots to body, cerise cap, mounted, framed & glazed, 91.5 by 71cm., 36 by 28in.; sold together with a racecard for Brigadier Gerard's only career defeat against Roberto in the 1972 Benson & Hedges Gold Cup at York. Brigadier Gerard was a bay colt foaled in 1968 by Queen's Hussar out of La Pavia. He was bred and owned by the former amateur jockey John Hislop and his wife. His pedigree did not suggest he would become a supreme champion thoroughbred, although he possessed a near perfect confirmation. He was trained at West Ilsley by Major Dick Hern and ridden in his races by Joe Mercer. The Brigadier won 17 of his 18 races including 15 successive wins between 24th June 1970 and 22nd July 1972. His victories comprised the Berkshire Stakes, the Champagne Stakes, the Washington Singer Stakes, the Middle Park Stakes, the 2,000 Guineas (beating the great Mill Reef), the St James's Palace Stakes, the Sussex Stakes, the Goodwood Mile, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (twice), the Champion Stakes (twice), the Lockinge Stakes, the Westbury Stakes, the Prince of Wales's Stakes, the Eclipse Stakes & the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The colt was retired to the Egerton Stud having won record prize money in Britain of a quarter of a million pounds. As a stallion he sired the 1980 St Leger winner Light Cavalry. Provenance: Given by Major Hern to Peter West, Head Travelling Lad at West Ilsley.