Article by Michaela Moricova: Spotlight on a racing community in Central Europe where jump racing is more popular than the Flat – but the sport is beset by internal struggles and lack of funds. Czech-based journalist Michaela Moricova reports
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Eyrefield Lodge in Kildare: the sale of the house’s contents includes 14 oil paintings, mostly of horses
Sheppard’s Eyrefield Lodge sale offers two red-letter days for fans of the turf. Clues to what kept the Kildare lodge in the headlines for more than a century are all over its interior.
The 14 oil paintings include three by Emil Adam: Game Chick, 1902; Ambush II, wearing the Prince of Wales colours; and Covert Hack, four-time winner of the Conyingham Cup, each 60 x 90cm, each estimated to fetch €4,000-€6,000.
There’s also Lynwood.
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They called him ‘Lucky Loder’, at least until his incredibly unlucky death from Bright’s disease at the age of 47. Until then, it seemed like he couldn’t lose.
Major Eustace Loder (1867-1914) was a racing man. His beautiful and stalwart mare, Pretty Polly, won 22 of her 24 races, including the 1,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and the St Leger Stakes, earning her the Triple Crown in 1904. She was born, lived and died at Eyrefield Lodge, Co Kildare.
Major Loder bought the house (sight unseen) when he was assigned to the Curragh and it remained in the family until it was sold last summer. Its contents (also sight unseen due to current restrictions) are coming up for auction at Sheppard’s next Thursday and Friday, March 11 and 12.