Silver cigar box mounted with a racing plate worn by Mill Reef, Winner of the Epsom Derby, The Eclipse Stakes, The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
£1,000 - £1,500
Silver cigar box mounted with a racing plate worn by Mill Reef, Winner of the Epsom Derby, The Eclipse Stakes, The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1971, of rectangular form with hinged cover mounted with the racing plate and engraved, with fitted interior, hallmarked Birmingham 1968 by Padgett & Braham Ltd, 8 by 17.5 by 14cm. Mill Reef (1968-86) was bred in Virginia by his owner Mr Paul Mellon but sent to be trained by Ian Balding at Kingsclere because his small stature was thought to be better suited to English racing. In a career lasting three years, he raced 14 times, ridden exclusively by Geoff Lewis, winning 12 of his races and establishing a unique record of highly impressive victories in the Derby, Eclipse Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the same season (1971) which still stands today. In August 1972, Mill Reef catastrophically broke a leg at exercise and endured a life-saving operation which enabled him to stand at the National Stud for many years. His widespread progeny includes Classic winners such as Derby heroes Shirley Heights, Reference Point and grand-son Slip Anchor among others.