The following three lots all depict horses owned by Mr. Charles W. Engelhard, Jr. He acquired a passion for horses and he purchased his first racehorse in South Africa in the late 1950s. Engelhard raced with outstanding worldwide success in the 1960s and owned a racing empire that included such standouts as Habitat, Hawaii, the great filly Rose Bowl and the legendary Nijinsky II, winner of the English Triple Crown in 1970, a feat which no other horse has since achieved. All told, he owned more than 300 horses and several horse farms and stables in New Jersey. Richard Stone Reeves was the pre-eminent American thoroughbred painter in the late 20th century. He portrayed the majority of the major horses in the last 40 years - from Citation to Genuine Risk, Native Dancer to Secretariat. A direct descendant of the celebrated American portrait painter of the 19th century, Thomas Sully, Reeves was from New York and graduated from Syracuse University with a fine arts degree in 1941. The majority of his works still remains in private hands with the families who commissioned them. The National Museum of Racing at Saratoga has several of his works in their collection including his portrait of Secretariat.

Richard Stone Reeves (American, 1919-2005)

Numeral and Romulus

Details

Richard Stone Reeves (American, 1919-2005)
Numeral and Romulus
the first signed and dated 'RICHARD STONE REEVES 1965' (lower right) and inscribed 'NUMERAL/SO. AFRICA' (lower left); the second signed 'RICHARD STONE REEVES' (lower right) and inscribed and dated 'ROMULUS/ENGLAND 1963' (lower left)
oil on board
10 x 12 in. (25.4 x 30.5 cm.)
A pair (2)

Lot Essay

Numeral by Eastern Emperor out of Statict, was a chestnut colt foaled in 1959. Mr. Charles Engelhard bought Numeral in South Africa and his biggest win was the Rothmans July Handicap in 1964.

Romulus, by Ribot out of Arietta, was a bay colt foaled in 1959 and also owned by Mr. Charles Engelhard. A good two year old in England, Romulus only won one race but ran well in several others. He improved immediately at three winning the Gresham, Sussex, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Prix du Moulin at Longchamp. Although second in the Two Thousand Guineas he was the best three year old in Europe at a mile but failed to stay having given a trial race for the Derby. He still ran at Epsom but was brought down in an accident before Tattenham Corner. Trained again at four by Fulke Johnson-Houghton he had completely lost his nerve and he was retired to stud.

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