This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 1/24/2021.
"He was basically the best horse I ever rode, the most intelligent," said Hall of Fame jockey Steve Cauthen, who was just eighteen years old when he piloted Affirmed to the Triple Crown. While the realization of the horseracing Triple Crown suggests a lopsided dominance, each of the three races provided no shortage of drama. The series would showcase one of the greatest rivalries in the history of the sport: Affirmed vs. Alydar. In the Kentucky Derby, Affirmed would win by one and a half lengths. In the Preakness, Alydar shaved the margin to a neck. Finally, the Triple Crown would come down to a near photo-finish, with Affirmed nosing out Alydar in the final stride. Nearly four decades would elapse before American Pharoah would join the 1970's thoroughbreds in racing immortality. It was in 1950 that a special trophy was commissioned to recognize horseracing's greatest accomplishment, with renowned jeweler Cartier tasked with imagining a design worthy of the honor. The offered example is the one issued to trainer Lazaro Barrera, the only trainer in history to win four consecutive Eclipse Awards, and a 1979 inductee of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Each side of the triangular sterling cup is engraved with the pertinent details of the three victories, set upon a silver and gold base bearing the logo of the Thoroughbred Racing Association. It stands seven inches in height, with each edge of the triangular lip of the cup measuring ten inches. Jockey Steve Cauthen has autographed the underside of the base in black sharpie with the added inscription "1978 Affirmed" and in our opinion the signature rates a near 10. The trophy is in MINT condition, and includes the original velvet bag in which it was issued and the white gloves for handling. Unquestionably one of the most significant horseracing pieces ever made available to the collecting public. Accompanied by a Full PSA/DNA LOA and a Memory Lane LOA.