Collection of Racehorse Hair Expected to Fetch Up to £50,000

A distinctive assortment of hair strands, taken from several of the globe’s most renowned racehorses, is projected to achieve a sale price of up to £50,000 when it goes to auction. Red Rum secured victories in the Grand National in 1973, 1974, and 1977. This compilation, officially named The Ray Goddard Collection of Hair Trophies of Champion Racehorses, was amassed from 1948 to 2004 and includes specimens from notable figures such as three-time Grand National champion Red Rum, Shergar, Arkle, and Nijinsky. Compiled by the dedicated enthusiast Ray Goddard prior to his passing in 2004, the bidding for this collection, which comprises hair from 829 horses, will commence at £24,000. Experts estimate its final sale value could range between £40,000 and £50,000. Auctioneer Graham Budd commented, “Collecting locks of horse hair might seem like an unusual pastime, but it’s provided us with an incredible archive, featuring some of the most famous horses the racing world has seen.” He further added, “It tells a wonderful story of half a century of racing history.” The auction for this collection is scheduled for 13 November at the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket.