CAMBRIDGESHIRE/SUFFOLK, Newmarket, silver [c. 1805], unsigned, two racehorses passing winning post, hambletonian above, diamond below, rev. racehorse left, sancho above, 34mm, 15.97g (W 1620; D & W 313/53-4 obv.; cf. DNW 138, 3182). A pocket-piece, about fine, very rare £200-£300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Group of Tickets and Passes Related to Horse Racing.

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The obverse alludes to the well-known contest, staged on the Beacon course at Newmarket on Monday 25 March 1799, between Hambletonian and Diamond. Sancho (1801-9), a bay owned and bred by Col. Henry Mellish, had a conspicuous run of success in 1804-5 when ridden by Frank Buckle, including the 1804 St Leger at Doncaster. The horse was stabled at Newmarket for the 1805 season, in which victories included the 3,000 guineas at Lewes in August; ironically, at the same meeting the following year, when leading easily with 10 furlongs remaining, the horse broke down, signalling the end of a short career on the flat