The Flying Dutchman Racing silks of the 13th Earl of Eglinton c.1849

Historically important racing silks of the 13th Earl of Eglinton worn in the races of the legendary racehorse The Flying Dutchman, c.1849,
silk, blue ground tartan with vertical & horizontal lines and bands in green, black & yellow, the pattern interspersed with fine hand embroidered gold thread thistles including to buttons and collar, yellow sleeves, some marks and wear visible on sleeves, but overall in good condition for the age.

Provenance: Archibald William Montgomerie, 13th Earl of Eglinton. 1st Earl of Winton (1812-1861). Thence by family descent. Consigned by the present 19th Earl of Eglinton, 7th Earl of Winton (b.1966).  Previously on Loan to The Dick Institute, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire.

The most celebrated match race in the history of the British Turf took place on 13th May 1851 on the Knavesmire at York, in a spectacle that rivalled the newly opened Great Exhibition in Hyde Park. Special train services helped swell the crowd to an estimated 100,000 people. The contest was between the 1849 Derby and St Leger winner The Flying Dutchman owned by the Earl of Eglinton and the Earl of Zetland's Voltigur, winner of the same two Classics in 1850. The horses had first met in the 1850 Doncaster Cup, when both were protecting unbeaten race records. The Flying Dutchman was expected to win but was burdoned on the day by his jockey Charlie Marlow who, after their narrow defeat, confessed to the horses's owner that he had been drunk. Lord Eglinton forgave his jockey, but felt it was a wrong result and asked Lord Zetland for a re-match. In the celebrated ‘Great Match’ run over two miles for stakes of £1,000 a side (approx. £178,000 in today's money) a cold sober Marlow beat Voltigeur, ridden by the Champion Jockey Nat Flatman, by less than a length.  The Flying Dutchman won 15 races, defeated on just that one occasion at Doncaster. Other important victories were in the July Stakes, Champagne Stakes and the Gold Cup at Ascot. He was trained by John Fobert at Middleham. Archibald William Montgomerie, the 13th Earl of Eglinton and 1st Earl of Winton is also remembered for organising The Eglinton Tournament in 1839, a faithful revival of the chivalrous competition of medievel tournament. This took place at Eglinton Castle and is said to have cost between £30,000 to £40,000 to stage (£4m to £5m in current value) a considerable percentage of the worth of the Family Estate. The preparation included rigorous training of the participants one of whom was Prince Louis Napoleon (later Napoleon III). The Tournament was held during foul weather and torrentail rain but, like the Great Match, drew a crowd of 100,000.