WELLINGBOROUGH.- The annual BUDDS Auction of Horse Racing Memorabilia has become part of the national racing calendar thanks to its success over 30 years with items achieving record making prices. Many of the lots in the November 12th sale carry huge historical significance for all of those involved in the horse racing industry.

The Valuation Day in Newmarket on September 18th provides sellers with an opportunity to have their items valued and entered in the sale if they so wish. There is also the opportunity to view some of the top items in the forthcoming sale including the Lester Piggott items, a 1701 Irish Race trophy and two historic sets of racing silks.

Graham Budd, Chairman of the auction house that bears his name says: “This sale has grown hugely in its significance over three decades and is now seen as the auction to consign truly important racing items. It has become an occasion on which racing history is often made with items that carry the essential DNA of British racing.”

Sale Highlights include:

Lester Piggott jockey saddle race used c.1980-1985, brown leather, weighing 1.1kg., the underside signed L.P., condition commensurate with use; sold with a signed letter of authenticity from Lester Piggott on Eve Lodge, Newmarket, headed paper and dated 25.7.86, reading “I certify that this saddle has been used by me for at least five years and I have ridden many classic and big race winners on it, Lester Piggott”

The saddle was donated by Lester Piggott as an auction prize at the Variety Club Charity Ball held at the home of Peter de Savary, Little Cote House, Wiltshire, England in 1986. The auctioneer at the charity event was the famous English Actor Charles Dance. Lester had retired from race riding the year before.

1998 Mercedes CLK320 formerly the property of the legendary jockey Lester Piggott, A unique opportunity to purchase an iconic modern classic Mercedes, purchased new by an iconic Jockey, this 1998 Mercedes CLK320 Elegance Automatic Coupe was purchased brand new by Lester Piggott on 6th February 1998, finished in Brilliant Silver with Anthracite leather and Walnut trim the car has all of the usual period refinements including automatic gearbox, power steering, antilock braking, electric windows, air-conditioning, electric mirrors, remote central locking, alloy wheels and the legendary 3.2 litre V6 engine, the mileage is currently circa 147,000 miles.

Irish Horse Racing Trophy from 1701 - £5,000 – 8,000: A very early Irish horse racing trophy dating to 1701. In the form of an Irish silver tankard engraved with racing decoration and details of the presentation for the race run on a course besides the River Rine in County Clare. One of the earliest horse racing trophies ever to have been offered for auction.

Willie Ryan’s guard of honour silks with 39 other jockeys in the same royal colours for HM the Queen’s arrival at the 2022 Epsom Derby. A guard of honour was formed on the track by 40 retired and current jockeys who had ridden for Her Majesty, dressed in the monarch’s famous purple and gold silks, to greet her arrival. Estimate £2,500 -£3,500.

A set of Frankel silks, race-worn by jockey Tom Queally. Signed in black marker by jockey Tom Queally to the pink sash, by Allerton & Co., London, Khalid Abdullah's iconic green, pink and white colours, Juddmonte Farms logos to collar, complete with pink cap, the Allerton label inscribed H Cecil, a further label initialled H C; sold with a signed letter of authenticity from Michael Marshall, Assistant Trainer to Sir Henry Cecil, confirming the silks were worn by Queally when riding Frankel £7,000 - £10,000