Maquette of the Queen with mare and foal to sell at Tattersalls on Monday

A maquette of the late Queen Elizabeth II with mare and foal, which is a scaled-down version of the statue that stands at the entrance to Newmarket’s Rowley Mile racecourse, is to be auctioned at Tattersalls on Monday afternoon.

The maquette will go under the hammer before the first of the new Sceptre Sessions, for elite fillies and broodmares, at the December Sale at Park Paddocks and organisers are hoping it will raise a six-figure sum for the National Horse Racing Museum.

Made by Etienne Millner and Charlie Langton, the maquette is a 60cm-high replica of the well-known Newmarket landmark, which was unveiled by the Queen in 2016.

The statue, which is lit at night and is situated at the western entrance to the town, was a popular focal point at the time of the Queen’s death in September, when many people and local racing organisations laid flowers.

Only 12 maquettes were cast. Queen Elizabeth II herself was presented with the first, and this is the 12th and final maquette and the first one ever to be sold.

The bronze (dimensions 60cm x 45cm x 40cm) is available for inspection at the front office at Tattersalls, opposite the shop.

Frances Stanley, chair of trustees of the National Horse Racing Museum, said: “We are thrilled to be able to offer this unique bronze as a tribute to our late Queen. Our thanks to Tattersalls for enabling us to reach out to an international audience.

"Hopefully there will be plenty of interest, as it goes under the hammer just before the first of the new Sceptre Sessions. Hopefully we can raise £100,000 for the National Horse Racing Museum."

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