Edith Derry Miller - STYMIE
Oil on canvas
Signed, dated 1956, inscribed verso

Of all the successes trainer Hirsch Jacobs had (3,569 winners in 43 years of training), Stymie was perhaps his greatest. Claimed as a 2-year-old for a mere $1,500, the colt went on to win $918,485, more earnings than any other horse at that point in history.

Stymie, bred by King Ranch trainer Max Hirsch, was born in 1941 on the ranch in Texas. Hirsch Jacobs claimed him in his third race in June 1943. Jacobs must have seen something in the colt as the trainer did not get a win out of him until his 15th start. By the time Stymie turned 4, however, he was coming into his own. In 1945 Stymie won nine major races, including the Brooklyn Handicap, and was named champion older male of the year. He went on to win back-to-back Met Miles (both times coming from last), the International Gold Cup against King Ranch's Triple Crown winner Assault, and many other races.

24 x 30 in