In the late 1960’s, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, operators of the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California, decided to inform California racing authorities that they did not intend to use the fall dates they were granted for any racing and instead would only race during the summer schedule. Many horsemen and fans were deeply opposed to this decision and decided to do something about it and formed the Oak Tree Racing Association. Generally run in
September and October, Oak Tree – which held its races at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California – quickly became one of the finest race meetings in the country and was renowned for its excellent turf racing.
This lot feature a trio of championship winners’ sterling silver trophies
awarded during the late 1980’s to racing teams led by owner Eugene V. Klein.
The trophies, which each measure 7.5 inches tall by 6.5” wide across, feature engraved sterling silver hallmarked bowls situated on top of square wooden bases that measure 3.5” tall by four inches wide by four inches deep. Each of the wooden bases also sports an engraved gold plaque per race. The first trophy bowl (572 grams) is engraved “OAK TREE RACING ASSOCIATION, NORFOLK STAKES, OCTOBER 11, 1986, ONE AND ONE
SIXTEENTH MILES” and was won by “Capote” ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr. with a winning time of 1:45:1. The second
trophy bowl (608g) is engraved “OAK TREE RACING ASSOCIATION, OAK LEAF STAKES, OCTOBER 24,
1987, ONE AND ONE SIXTEENTH MILES” and was won by “DREAM TEAM” ridden by Chris McCarron with a winning time of 1:44:2. The third and final trophy bowl (658g) is engraved “OAK TREE RACING ASSOCIATION, OAK LEAF STAKES (GRADE I), OCTOBER 10, 1988, ONE AND ONE SIXTEENTH MILES” and was won by
“ONE OF A KLEIN” ridden by Chris McCarron with a winning time of 1:44:0.
Includes Letter of Provenance from the San Diego Hall of Champions.