A superb and very large ledger titled ''Beckhampton House'' complied by the racehorse trainer Sam Darling, beginning with a fine signed photograph of
£1,500 - £2,500
A superb and very large ledger titled ''Beckhampton House'' complied by the racehorse trainer Sam Darling, beginning with a fine signed photograph of Darling, containing extensive cutting from magazines & newspapers providing a record of the trainer's triumphs, plus racing memorabilia including many original photographs of horses (Ard Patrick, Slieve Gallion, Wild Flower and of Beckhampton generally, a memento of Galtee More's 1897 Derby, letters from Lord Lonsdale, Duke of Beaufort, Mat Dawson, Charles Boon (Mills & Boon), H.R.H. Prince Christian, Lord Rosebery, Marcus Beresford, wedding invite from Lord Henry Grosvenor for the marriage of his daughter Dorothy to Lord Dalmeny, Sports Day at Beckhampton to commemorate Willonyx's 1911 Gold Cup win, photographs of Violet Darling's wedding in East Africa, photographs from Darling's world travel, 1830s Worcester racecards, tail hair from the King's Derby winner Minoru, The byword for the yard at Beckhampton was perfect order for thirty three years, under the care of Sam Darling Snr. In addition to the winners of seven classics, Darling also trained the great Willonyx, winner of the Ascot Gold Cup and the Cesarewitch. When he retired in 1913 his son Fred Darling (see lots 4 & 5) succeeded him at Beckhampton and became a highly succesful trainer winning a record-equalling seven Derbys and crowned champion trainer on six occasions. He also bred the Derby winner Pinza. His other son Sam Darling (Jnr) was already training at Newmarket.