AUCTIONEERS have uncovered an antique silver trophy presented to the winner of the Tarporley Hunt Cup in 1858.
The foot-high trophy, expected to sell for up to £1,800, was discovered in the Surrey home of a direct descendant of the winner.
It is inscribed on one side with the words ‘Tarporley Hunt 1858’ and on the other with the victor's name, James Platt, and that of his racehorse, Welsh heiress.
Christopher Proudlove an antique specialist said: “Specialists at Surrey auctioneers Ewbank Clarke Gammon Wellers say the William IV two-handled cup, decorated appropriately with horse-drawn chariots and classical figures was made by Irish silversmith James Le Bass in Dublin in 1832-33. This adds to its appeal as Irish antique silver is rare and sought after.”
It will be auctioned on Wednesday, December 9 at Ewbank Clarke Gammon Wellers' Burnt Common saleroom at Send, a sale in which bidders can participate online in real-time.
The Tarporley Hunt Club was established in 1762 and the races started when seven members challenged each other for a sweepstake of 10 guineas each.
All the horses were hunters and the race was run in one four-mile heat over land at Crabtree Green, near Delamere.
Meetings at Crabtree Green came to an end in November 1815, owing to the Act of Enclosure of Delamere Forest.
Racing continued at Cotebrook with a hurdle race being included for the first time in 1848.
Racing at Cotebrook came to an end in the 1870s and in April 1875, the first Tarporley Hunt Steeplechase was held behind the Swan Hotel at Saighton Farm.
Two years later the event was moved to the Arderne Estate on Rode Street and continued until the start of the Second World War.
