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Lot 373
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← Sporting Memorabilia 3rd & 4th June 2019

A rare b&w photograph of the great stallion Nearco being led out of his specially built underground bomb shelter at the Beech House Stud during the Se

Hammer Price:
£330
Estimated Price:

£200 - £300

A rare b&w photograph of the great stallion Nearco being led out of his specially built underground bomb shelter at the Beech House Stud during the Second World War, by the famous equestrian photographer Anscomb, signed, and inscribed 'Nearco,' Newmarket, the image otherwise known as THE ALL CLEAR, 1941, mounted framed & glazed, the image 15 by 20cm., 6 by 8in.; sold with photocopies of two sheets providing further information on this photograph (3) Nearco (1935-1957) was one of the greatest racehorses and important stallion of the twentieth century. He was bred by Federico Tesio in Italy and retired undefeated after 14 races, with his crowning glory being his facile win in the Grand Prix de Paris in 1938. Although he never raced in England he was bought by the British bookmaker Martin Benson for ?60,000 and sent to the Beech House Stud at Newmarket. His influence as a stallion is profound and his descendants include Nasrullah, Ballymoss, Darius, Lomond, Nearula, Nearctic, El Gran Senor, Nijinsky, Sir Ivor, Northern Dancer, Shadeed, Secretariat, Shergar, Arkle, Never Say Die, Nimbus, Mr Prospector, Royal Palace, Fort Marcy, Better Loosen Up and countless others. He was thought so valuable that his own underground bomb shelter was constructed at Beech House, built by German POW's. This rare photograph portrays Nearco being led out by his lad Ernest 'Bogey' Lee for fresh air and exercise.