Details
THE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP
A 15ct gold replica of the Cheltenham Gold Cup formed as a steeple cup and cover in the early 17th century manner on spreading circular foot, chased with a band of foliage, the baluster stem with four stylised griffins supporting the campana-shaped bowl chased with vases of fruit, putti and matted foliage and inscribed 'Cheltenham Gold Cup', the domed cover chased with a band of foliage and with baluster finial supported by four scrolls, on mottled green alabaster plinth, applied with a pierced oval gold plaque, inscribed 'Won by Easter Hero, 1929-30', by Adie Bros. Ltd., Birmingham, 1929, (17.5oz.), height of cup 12in.
A 15ct gold replica of the Cheltenham Gold Cup formed as a steeple cup and cover in the early 17th century manner on spreading circular foot, chased with a band of foliage, the baluster stem with four stylised griffins supporting the campana-shaped bowl chased with vases of fruit, putti and matted foliage and inscribed 'Cheltenham Gold Cup', the domed cover chased with a band of foliage and with baluster finial supported by four scrolls, on mottled green alabaster plinth, applied with a pierced oval gold plaque, inscribed 'Won by Easter Hero, 1929-30', by Adie Bros. Ltd., Birmingham, 1929, (17.5oz.), height of cup 12in.
Further details
Easter Hero won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice in 1929 and 1930, on both occasions by margins estimated at twenty lengths. He won four hurdle races and seventeen steeplechases. He ran three times in the Grand National, in 1928, 1929 and 1931, finishing second in 1929, despite being handicapped by a grotesquely twisted plate over the last mile. He was top weight in a record field of sixty-six, beaten by six lengths by Gregalach.
In the 1928 National (which was started at the fourth attempt), Easter Hero was leading the field up to the Canal Turn in the first circuit when he landed on top of the fence and fell back into the ditch. There followed a terrible pile-up and only nine horses out of a field of forty-two managed to continue the race with Tipperary Tim (the eventual winner) and Billy Barton being the only two to complete the course.
Top of the handicap again in the 1931 National and starting favourite at 5/1, he was knocked over at Becher's on the second circuit.
Easter Hero was bred by Mr L. King of Crickstown, Ashbourne, Co. Meath. He was a chestnut gelding by that great sire of jumpers, My Prince, out of Easter Week, by Outbreak out of a mare by Enthusiast, from a mare by Rob Roy. This the famous half-bred family known as the Arab Maid Family. In an age when the National was reckoned the main objective of all chasers, Easter Hero was widely rated the best horse never to have won it.
In the 1928 National (which was started at the fourth attempt), Easter Hero was leading the field up to the Canal Turn in the first circuit when he landed on top of the fence and fell back into the ditch. There followed a terrible pile-up and only nine horses out of a field of forty-two managed to continue the race with Tipperary Tim (the eventual winner) and Billy Barton being the only two to complete the course.
Top of the handicap again in the 1931 National and starting favourite at 5/1, he was knocked over at Becher's on the second circuit.
Easter Hero was bred by Mr L. King of Crickstown, Ashbourne, Co. Meath. He was a chestnut gelding by that great sire of jumpers, My Prince, out of Easter Week, by Outbreak out of a mare by Enthusiast, from a mare by Rob Roy. This the famous half-bred family known as the Arab Maid Family. In an age when the National was reckoned the main objective of all chasers, Easter Hero was widely rated the best horse never to have won it.