🎨 Masterpiece of Equestrian Art – 1920 Oil Portrait of Derby Champion “Spion Kop” – Signed Frederick Albert Clark

🖼️ Subject & Medium

An exceptional original oil on canvas painted in 1920 by the distinguished English sporting artist Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954).
The subject is Spion Kop, the celebrated chestnut colt who stormed to victory in the 141st Epsom Derby—the crown jewel of British horse racing.

Clark, heir to the renowned Clark dynasty of equine painters, was admired for imbuing his horses with personality and presence. In this work, Spion Kop’s proud stance, bright eyes, and alert ears embody both athletic power and aristocratic grace.

The oil medium enriches the horse’s chestnut sheen, while subtle contrasts of cream, grey, and muted green in the architectural setting heighten his prominence as the commanding focus of the composition.

🎨 Composition & Technique

• Setting: Outside the stable yard, with Spion Kop turned slightly toward the viewer, conveying presence and poise.

• Foreground: Earthy browns and ochres textured with layered brushwork anchor the scene.

• Horse: Clark’s mastery shows in the fluid, blended strokes of the chestnut coat, punctuated by finely observed detail in the mane, musculature, and expressive eyes. Highlights along the flanks and shoulders suggest vitality and strength.

• Stable & Background: The rustic door, sunlit wall, and glimpses of summer foliage frame the horse without distraction, while the soft, feathered clouds lend atmosphere.

• Palette & Mood: A harmony of warm siennas and rich chestnut reds balanced with cooler greys and greens. The mood is one of dignified triumph—the quiet pride of a champion immortalized in paint.

🏆 The Racehorse – Spion Kop (1917–1941)

• Owner/Breeder: Major Giles Loder

• Trainer: Peter Gilpin

• Jockey: American rider Frank O’Neill

On June 2, 1920, before a crowd of 250,000 including the King and Queen, Spion Kop surged from the rear to seize victory in record time (2:34.8). His Derby win was hailed as one of the most dramatic in history.

Retired to stud, he went on to sire multiple winners, cementing his place in bloodline history. He passed in 1941, remembered as a horse of extraordinary stamina and courage.

👨🎨 The Artist – Frederick Albert Clark (1869–1954)

Frederick Albert Clark represented the third generation of Britain’s most celebrated equine portraitists. Son of Albert Clark and grandson of James Clark, his lineage ensured an instinctive understanding of horses.

By his early twenties, Clark was a professional painter in London, specializing in equine and canine portraiture. Today, his works are held in collections worldwide and frequently appear at major sporting art auctions.

Signature: lower right, red paint: “Frederick Albert Clark 1920.”

🖼️ Frame

Housed in its original gilt-wood frame with classical moulding, wired and ready to hang.

📏 Dimensions framed: 63.5 cm (25 in) high × 72 cm (28.3 in) wide × 3.75 cm deep

📜 Provenance

• Original paper label verso: “Frederick Albert Clark – Spion Kop Winner of the Derby Stakes 1920 – Oil on canvas – signed and dated.”

• Inscription verso referencing ownership by Marie G. Loder, connected to Spion Kop’s historic bloodline.

• Previously handled by Sworders, a distinguished British auction house specializing in sporting and equestrian art.

• Now curated and offered by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

💚 Why Collect This Piece

✅ A rare equestrian portrait of one of Britain’s most famous Derby champions
✅ Painted by a member of the legendary Clark dynasty of equine artists
✅ Historically important subject, beautifully rendered with depth and vitality
✅ Original gilt frame, museum-worthy presentation
✅ Exceptional provenance, appealing to collectors of both fine art and racing history

🕰️ Condition

• Fine condition for age (over 100 years old)

• Canvas relined for stability

• Light craquelure, foxing, and minor paint loss consistent with age

• Gilt frame with small chips and scuffs, presenting handsomely overall

• Ready to display and enjoy

🌍 Shipping

• Professional worldwide packing and fully insured global delivery

• Offered with the security of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD’s expertise

🛒 Own a Piece of Racing History

This is more than a painting—it is a trophy of the turf, a portrait of triumph, and a work of art by a celebrated hand. Add this museum-worthy equestrian masterpiece to your collection today.

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