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CHESHIRE ANTIQUES CONSULTANT LTD

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Item Details

An exceptional and historically important original Edwardian watercolour on paper titled “Two Thousand Guineas 1910”, depicting the dramatic finish of the 1910 running of the 2,000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse.
Painted and signed in 1910 by respected British sporting artist Isaac James Cullin (1859–1942), this is not a generic equestrian study but a documented and inscribed depiction of a specific British Classic race.
The composition captures Neil Gow, owned by former Prime Minister Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, surging to victory under legendary American jockey Danny Maher, defeating Lemberg, who would later triumph in The Derby at Epsom Downs Racecourse that same season.
The 1910 2,000 Guineas Stakes
Run over the Rowley Mile, the 2,000 Guineas Stakes is the first of the five British Classics and one of the most prestigious races in the flat racing calendar.
The 1910 renewal holds particular significance:
Neil Gow – Prime Ministerial ownership and Classic success
Danny Maher – Dominant Edwardian Champion Jockey
Lemberg – Later 1910 Derby winner
Cullin immortalises the decisive moment: forelegs fully extended, hindquarters coiled with energy, Maher crouched low in perfect racing balance. The inscription in the artist’s hand — “Two Thousand Guineas 1910” — confirms this as a contemporaneous commemorative work, likely produced for a racing patron or exhibition.
Composition and Sporting Detail
Cullin masterfully balances documentary accuracy with painterly atmosphere:
Neil Gow dominates the foreground, chestnut coat rendered in rich tonal layers
Maher’s silks crisply defined, reins taut with controlled power
Lemberg presses from behind, heightening competitive drama
A dense Edwardian crowd in dark coats and top hats
A striking lady in pink and white adding visual contrast
The grandstand and white running rails anchoring the setting
A cool grey-blue sky evoking spring light on the Heath
The horses are painted with anatomical precision, contrasting against impressionistic crowd treatment, drawing the eye to the explosive finish.
Signature and Medium
Signed lower right: Isaac Cullin, 1910
Inscribed lower centre: “Two Thousand Guineas 1910”
Original watercolour on paper
Mounted on board
Professionally presented under museum-grade AR70 UV-protective glazing
Fully signed, dated, and inscribed examples of Cullin’s racing subjects are notably scarce.
About Isaac James Cullin (1859–1942)
Born in New York and active in Britain, Cullin exhibited at the Royal Academy and worked within the great tradition of British sporting art descending from George Stubbs. He collaborated with leading equestrian painters and was known for:
Anatomical accuracy
Compositional control
Atmospheric racecourse scenes
Commissioned equestrian portraits
His documented racing works are considerably rarer than his portrait commissions, enhancing collectability.
Provenance and Exhibition
Painted and dated 1910
From the estate of racing historian Richard “Dickie” Onslow
Sold at Graham Budd Auctions – Race to History Specialist Sale (13 November 2024, Lot 78)
Exhibited at the Lord Hill Museum, Shropshire
Held in the collection of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Onslow was known for acquiring historically significant racing artefacts rather than decorative sporting works, reinforcing the documentary importance of this painting.
Frame and Presentation
Beautifully housed in a recently fitted hand-crafted Larson Juhl gold leaf moulded pine frame with:
Acid-free archival mount
Museum-quality AR70 UV-protective glazing
Ready to hang
The classical gold frame complements the Edwardian sporting subject while ensuring conservation standards.
Framed Dimensions
Height: 53.5 cm
Width: 63 cm
Depth: 4.5 cm
Why This Piece Stands Out
Depicts a named British Classic race
Prime Ministerial ownership
Future Derby winner included
Signed, dated, and inscribed
Museum exhibition history
Documented specialist auction provenance
Exceptional statement piece for a refined interior
This work unites aristocratic history, political association, and early 20th-century British sporting heritage in one compelling Edwardian watercolour.
Condition
Painting: Good antique condition with foxing consistent with age.
Frame: Recently added, excellent condition.
Glazing: Museum-grade AR70 UV-protective glass.
Worldwide shipping available – professionally packed and fully insured.
A rare opportunity to acquire a historically resonant British sporting work suitable for collectors of equestrian art, racing history, and significant Edwardian sporting paintings.

• Period: 1910
• • Price: £10,000.00
  • €11,488 Euro
  • $13,425 US Dollar
• Location: London
• • Dimensions: H: 53.5cm (21.06in)
  • W: 63cm (24.80in)
  • D: 4.5cm (1.77in)