Lionel Dalhousie Robertson Edwards, RI British, 1878-1966
Provenance
with Rowland Ward, London.
This painting depicts the start of the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood in 1955, a flat handicap race run over six furlongs. The winner in this year was King Bruce who beat Roman Vale by a head in a thrilling photo-finish, both horses starting at odds of 100/6. He was ridden by Bill Rickaby, cousin of Lester Piggott, who rode 1,324 winners during his career, and was trained by Peter Hastings-Bass. Queen Elizabeth II attended the racing with the Duke of Edinburgh as guests of the Duke and Duchess of Richmond and Gordon.
King Bruce can be seen at the far side of the field, his jockey wearing pink colours with a green cap and striped sleeves. Roman Vale leads the start, his jockey wearing blue colours with a white cap.