A privately commissioned head & shoulders bronze of the racehorse Shergar by David Wynne.

A privately commissioned head & shoulders bronze of the racehorse Shergar by David Wynne (British, 1926-2014) presented by HH The Aga Khan to Cliff Lines the colt's work rider at Michael Stoute's Newmarket stables,
signed, dated ‘81 and numbered 5/8, modelled with the horse’s famous characteristic in running of his tongue lolling out, mounted on a gently angled black marble plinth, set with a brass plaque inscribed TO CLIFF LINES WITH APPRECIATION FROM THE AGA KHAN, FROM THE AGA KHAN, SHERGAR, WINNER OF THE ENGLISH DERBY, IRISH DERBY AND KING GEORGE AND QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES, 1981, height 31cm., width 32cm.

Provenance: The Cliff Lines Collection (lots 196 to 202).

Knowing nothing about horse racing or even how to ride, Cliff Lines, ‘Cockney Cliff’ as he was known, started his career as a 14-year-old apprentice to Noel Murless. When trying to make his way as jockey he rode a winner for The Queen, before becoming a work rider for the Michael Stoute stable, graduating to Head Lad. He later worked in pre-training before taking out a training licence of his own. Cliff worked for 70 years in racing and worked with top class horses riding them out daily including The Aga Khan's legendary racehorse Shergar; as well Royal Palace, Hethersett, Jo Tobin, Sonic Lady, Pilsudski, Shareef Dancer and Fujiyama Crest, the last named being Frankie Dettori's final win during the Magnificent Seven at Ascot. Cliff Lines retired from racing in 2019 just before his 84th birthday.