The Tetrarch: a framed display containing a pair of his racing plates and a plait of his tail hair, the shoes set into oak panels set with silver plaq

The Tetrarch: a framed display containing a pair of his racing plates and a plait of his tail hair, the shoes set into oak panels set with silver plaques (Robert Pringle & Sons, London, 1911) inscribed THE TETRARCH, the horse hair with 9ct. gold fittings, mounted together with a photograph and printed details, framed 94 by 53cm., 37 by 21in.; sold together with original papers of provenance The Tetrarch was an unbeaten racehorse known as 'The Spotted Wonder' due to his highly unusual coat markings. He was bred in Ireland in 1911 and sold to Major Demot McCalmont. The colt was unbeaten in seven races as a two-year old including the Coventry Stakes and the Champagne Stakes. Sadly as series of injuries meant that we was never seen on the racecourse again. In 1915 he began a Stud career firstly at Thomastown and latterly at Ballylinch. He sired 130 foals many of whom inherited his blistering speed although having said that he did sire three St Leger winning sons Caligula, Polemarch and Salmon Trout. In 1919 The Tetrarch was crowned Champion Stallion mainly through the results of Tetratema and Snow Maiden. His most influential offspring, however, was his daughter Mumtaz Mahal who became one of the most important broodmares of the 20th century and an ancestress of the likes of Nasrullah, Royal Charger, Tudor Minstrel, Mahmoud, Bold Ruler, Seattle Slew, Secretariat and many others. The Tetrarch died at the Ballylinch Stud in 1935 and is buried at the equine cemetery there. See lot 72 for an image of The Tetrarch.