The annual Budds Auction of Horse Racing Memorabilia, in partnership with Weatherbys, is set to captivate racing enthusiasts on November 12th with a collection of historic items, including treasures from legendary jockey Lester Piggott. Held at Newmarket, this auction has become a cornerstone of the racing calendar, celebrated for its record-breaking sales over three decades. Ahead of the event, valuation days from 16th–18th September will offer a rare chance to view and appraise iconic pieces at the National Horse Racing Museum in Newmarket, Jack Berry House in Malton, North Yorkshire, and Lambourn Sports Centre in Berkshire.
Auction highlights
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Lester Piggott’s last racing saddle, estimated at £8,000–£12,000. This brown leather saddle, weighing 1.1kg and initialled L.P., was used by Piggott from 1980 to 1985. It comes with a signed letter of authenticity dated July 25, 1986, on Eve Lodge, Newmarket, headed paper, stating, “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.” Donated by Piggott for the Variety Club Charity Ball at Littlecote House, Wiltshire, in 1986, where it was auctioned by actor Charles Dance, the saddle reflects Piggott’s extraordinary career, which included a record nine Epsom Derby wins.
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Lester Piggott’s 1998 Mercedes CLK320, estimated at £3,000–£5,000. Purchased new by Piggott on February 6, 1998, this Brilliant Silver Elegance Automatic Coupe features Anthracite leather, Walnut trim, and a 3.2-litre V6 engine. With approximately 147,000 miles, it boasts period refinements like an automatic gearbox, power steering, antilock braking, electric windows, air-conditioning, electric mirrors, remote central locking, and alloy wheels. This modern classic offers a unique connection to the iconic jockey.
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Irish horse racing trophy from 1701, estimated at £5,000–£8,000. This rare silver tankard, engraved with racing motifs and details of a race on a course beside the River Rine in County Clare, is one of the earliest horse racing trophies ever auctioned, showcasing the sport’s deep historical roots.
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Willie Ryan’s royal silks from the 2022 Epsom Derby, estimated at £2,500–£3,500. These silks were worn by Ryan among 40 jockeys forming a guard of honour in Her Majesty’s purple and gold colours to greet the Queen’s arrival at the 2022 Epsom Derby, a poignant moment in racing history.
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Frankel silks worn by Tom Queally, estimated at £7,000–£10,000. Signed by Queally, these race-worn silks in Khalid Abdullah’s green, pink, and white Juddmonte Farms colours, labelled by Allerton & Co. and initialled for trainer Sir Henry Cecil, include a signed letter of authenticity from assistant trainer Michael Marshall. They were worn during Frankel’s unbeaten 14-race career, including his iconic 2011 2,000 Guineas victory.
Graham Budd, chairman of Budds Auctions, underscores the event’s significance: “This sale has grown hugely in its significance over three decades and is now seen as the auction in which to consign truly important racing items. In its own way it has become an occasion on which racing history is often made with items that carry the essential DNA of British racing.” The auction’s prestige is enhanced by its partnership with Weatherbys, a cornerstone of British racing heritage.
The valuation days, open to the public, allow sellers to have their memorabilia appraised for potential inclusion in the sale. Attendees can also view these headline items, offering a tangible link to racing’s storied past. Piggott, who passed away in 2022 at 86, remains a towering figure in the sport, with 4,493 career wins and 30 British Classic victories. His legacy, alongside treasures like the 1701 trophy and Frankel’s silks, ensures this auction will resonate with fans and collectors alike.