Three reasons why Group 1-winning Kinross owner paid six figures at Tattersalls

The route and timing of the Queen's funeral cortege in September was one of the reasons behind the final bid for a bronze maquette of the late monarch with mare and foal reaching 165,000gns (£173,250/€200,738) at Tattersalls on Monday.

Twelve bronze models measuring 60cm x 45cm x 40cm are copies of the statue that stands at the entrance to the Rowley Mile racecourse in Newmarket.

Hong Kong-based owner Marc Chan was behind the final bid that raised funds for the National Horse Racing Museum.

Marc Chan: Group 1-winning owner bought the maquette of the Queen with mare and foalCredit: Laura Green

A spokesman for Chan revealed his two-time Group 1 winner Kinross was crossing the line in the Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster at the same time as the Queen's cortege passed through the town of the same name on its way to lie in state.

Bloodstock agent Jamie McCalmont, who bought the maquette on behalf of Chan, said: "There were three reasons Mr Chan was so keen to acquire the maquette. On September 11, the funeral cortege bearing the Queen's coffin was making its way from Balmoral to Edinburgh. As it passed through the town of Kinross, the horse Mr Chan owns of the same name was winning at Doncaster.

"Secondly, he was a great admirer of the late Queen Elizabeth, with enormous respect for her and her devotion and love of horseracing, and as patron of the National Horse Racing Museum.

"He had seen and admired the maquette on display in the gallery and also another one in private ownership while visiting Newmarket, and was very taken with the bronze.

The bronze maquette of the Queen with mare and foal

"Thirdly, he had visited the National Horse Racing Museum over the summer with his family and had been so impressed with the venue, the exhibitions and the staff, particularly enjoying the horse equicizer, and was really keen to show his support for the organisation."

Frances Stanley, chairman of the National Horse Racing Museum, said: "We started with a confirmed offer of 80,000gns from Bill Gredley, so the auctioneer John O'Kelly opened with that bid. In the end, there was multiple interest up to 100,000gns with the final two bidders Jake Warren and Jamie McCalmont taking it to the closing figure of 165,000gns on behalf of Marc Chan."

Of the one-off auction before the opening Sceptre sale at the December Sales, she said: "Apart from obviously thanking Tattersalls, I would like to thank the Newmarket commemoration committee, which comprises Nick Wingfield Digby, Andy Drummond, Rachel Hood and Peter Stanley, for so generously donating the final bronze maquette to the endowment fund of the NHRM. Special thanks to Amy Drummond for producing a wonderful promotional video."

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