WINDSOR LAD
The equal fastest Derby winner at the time, he triumphed in the 1934 Derby. Described by contemporary press reports as 'a good, hard bay, level of back, with a well-placed shoulder and broad hips' was born in 1931, bred by Irish breeder Dan Sullivan out of the 1926 Epsom Oaks runner-up Resplendent, sired by the Irish thoroughbred Blandford, who was to sire eleven Classic Race winners during his lifetime. He was trained by Marcus Maskell Marsh and owned by the Maharaja of Rajpipla. A promising two year he won two races and started his third year by winning at Chester and Newmarket, which suggested him as a contender for the Derby.

On the 7 June 1934 he raced as joint favourite in a field of nineteen horses. The Times of India, reporting the race described his extraordinary victory 'Windsor Lad scored a smashing victory at Epsom and won for Rajpipla and India the blue riband of the turf. He was a length ahead of Easton, who beat Colombo into the third place by a head. The favourite (Colombo), who had never lost a race before and who was guarded like a rare treasure from early in the day, failed to stay. The colt swung wide while entering the straight, and Windsor Lad took the lead which he convincingly established at the post. The winner won the race in two minutes and thirty-four seconds, thereby equalling Hyperion’s 1933 record. By winning the Newmarket Stakes and the Derby, Windsor Lad has performed a feat which very few have done before – only eight others have done it since 1899.'

THE MAHARAJA OF RAJPIPLA
The son of Chhatrasinhji Gambhirsinhji, Maharaja of Rajpipla (1862-1915), of the ancient Gohil Rajput dynasty, and his first wife, Princess Wankanerwala Maharani Shri Phool Kunverba Sahiba, Vijaysinhji Chhatrasinhji (1890-1951), the last ruling Maharaja of Rajpipla, was born at the Chhatra Vilas Palace, in Nandod, in the Narmada district of Gujarat. He succeed at the relatively young age of twenty-five on the death of his father in 1915. He had received his education at Rajkumar College in Rajkot and military instruction in Imperial Cadet Corps at Dehra Dun. His life-long interest in all things equestrian started in his childhood. An accomplished rider he raced as a boy, played polo and later sponsored his own polo team. He successfully bred and owned many race horses. He was also an accomplished cricketer. As a prominent figure in the racing world he owned a house in Old Windsor where he entertained friends from the racing world, the aristocracy and high society. A friend of the British Royal family and an anglophile, he donated three Spitfires during the Second World War, one of which was named after his 1934 Derby winner.

THE COMMISSION
Thrilled with his success at the Derby the Maharaja commemorated his victory with a magnificent sculpture of the winning moment. Sculpted in great detail the work was exhibited at the time and much admired. The Times published an article in November of 1934 recording its exhibition as a highlight of the autumn season.

'Mappin and Webb, Oxford Street...have just completed an unusual silver trophy for the Maharajah of Rajpipla. It shows the finish of the Derby in 1934, with Windsor Lad winning, and is a most realistic and beautiful piece of modelling. The infinite trouble and patience needed to get the exact expressions of both horses and jockeys and to reproduce their characteristic movements has resulted in a unique piece which should prove a treasured memento to the Maharajah, who at the time owned this unbeaten three-year-old. The rails and winning-post are shown, and the ease with which the great horse won is suggested by the artist and emphasized in the excellent portrait models of Easton and Colombo straining to eat up the distance between them. The trophy is in oxidised sterling silver, on a base of Brazilian onyx; it took 12 months to execute, and the Maharajah of Rajpipla is stated to be very pleased with it.'

The sculpture records one of the greatest Derby wins in extraordinary detail and is a testament to the Maharaja's dedication to the turf and his wish to celebrate his victory.