Want to own a piece of history? Legendary general’s racing saddle is up for auction.
Are you craving some friendly competition to break up the monotony of life during quarantine? Are you a history buff? Do you have a chunk of disposable income burning a hole in your pocket?
There’s a unique opportunity to satisfy all three inclinations while maintaining safe social distancing practices: The horse racing saddle of U.S. Gen. George Armstrong Custer is being auctioned online.
The saddle, used by Custer in the 1870s, is being auctioned by Boston-based company RR Auction and is being featured alongside artifacts from the American Civil War. It’s listed on the website rrauction.com as being “In very good condition, with overall wear and soiling.” The auction runs through May 13 and the minimum bid is $5,000.
“It’s an exceptional piece of Custer history, bringing to life the connection between his work as a cavalry officer and his passion as a racehorse enthusiast,” RR Auction Executive Vice President Bobby Livingston said in a news release.
A West Point graduate, Custer rose to the rank of brigadier general and commanded Union cavalry during several key battles in the Civil War, including Gettysburg. He remained an avid horse enthusiast after the war, owning and racing several horses in Kentucky.
Custer’s horse Frogtown won two races in Lexington in 1872. When Custer was ordered west to fight in the American Indian Wars he sold Frogtown, believing his duties would prevent him from “giving so noble a horse the proper attention.” Custer was killed in the Battle of the Little Bighorn two months later.
Custer’s racing saddle originally passed to a family descendant named John Kirkpatrick and in 1928 was obtained by James P. Strain. Included in the auction are letters and documents relating to the history of the saddle as well as a first edition of the 1986 book “General Custer’s Thoroughbreds: Racing, Riding, Hunting and Fighting,” inscribed by author Lawrence A. Frost with a message to Strain: “For Jim Strain, longtime friend and Custer buff who owns Gen. Custer’s racing saddle — with all good wishes, Lawrence A. Frost.”
According to the auction listing, the saddle is expected to sell for $30,000 or more.
This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 10:09 AM.
