Queen Elizabeth II racing colours worn at ‘career high’ worth £8k up for auction

11 October 2023 , 11:27

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Joe Mercer (right) with the colours he wore when riding the Queen's horse Highclere (left)

A set of the late Queen Elizabeth II racing colours and items from three of racing’s greatest jockeys are up for sale.

The racing silks were worn by royal jockey Joe Mercer when he steered the Queen’s Highclere to Classic glory in the French Oaks, the Prix de Diane, in 1974.

Mercer authenticated the colours in 2017 which he said had been gifted to him by Highclere’s trainer Dick Hern.

Mercer, who died aged 86 in 2021, said winning the French Classic in the presence of the Queen “was the highlight of my career”. They are expected to fetch as much as £8,000 at auction.

They are among a collection of sporting memorabilia which includes lots from Lester Piggott, Pat Eddery and Fred Archer valued at more than £360,000 due to be sold on October 16 at Newmarket’s National Horse Racing Museum at the Graham Budd Auctions sale held in collaboration with Weatherbys.

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The Piggott collection alone is valued between £58,000-79,000 and consists of lots relating to the jockey’s life and career.

Standout pieces include the 1990 Breeders Cup Trophy Piggott famously won when riding Royal Academy to victory aged 54, press clipping albums which he compiled himself from when he was just 12 years old.

The Queen's Highclere, ridden by Joe Mercer, in winning action (PA)

The winning trophy presented to Pat Eddery when he landed the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Dancing Brave in one of the most epic races of all time will also go under the hammer as well as a signed, oil on canvas portrait of Fred Archer, created in 1883 by Rosa Corder.

Graham Budd, Chairman of Graham Budd Auctions, commented: “To see memorabilia in this auction from three of the all-time greatest jockeys is a true honour and a testament to their lives and careers.

“This really is an outstanding collection of items across the field of horse racing and a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of history."

Jon Lees