Racehorse sculpture could fetch £300k at auction

An auctioneer said a sculpture of "one of the most iconic racehorses in British sporting history" was expected to fetch up to £300,000.

Thoroughbred Brown Jack had six consecutive victories at Ascot between 1929 and 1934.

The tabletop bronze model is one of just five horse sculptures created by Suffolk-born artist Sir Alfred Munnings, who trained at the Norwich School of Art.

The 54cm-high (21in) item was brought to auctioneer Christie's by the Munnings Art Museum in Dedham, Essex and is due to go under the hammer in London on 2 July.

Sir Alfred was born at Mendham Mill in Suffolk in 1878 and became known as one of Britain's greatest equestrian painters.

Scarlett Walsh, a sculpture specialist at Christie's, said the art was a rare collectors' piece.

"Executed with anatomical precision and deep personal affection, the work stands as a powerful tribute to one of the most iconic racehorses in British sporting history," she said.

"It is a masterpiece of equine portraiture and a lasting testament to the artist's lifelong devotion to the subject he loved most."

The upcoming auction would not be the first time a piece by Sir Alfred sold for big money.

The Red Prince Mare, a painting of a 1921 racing scene, sold in New York in 2004 for almost $8m (£5m at the time).

A painting of a day at Newmarket races fetched £482,500 in May 2013.

The following year, a painting of a horse fair sold for £182,500.

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