Peter Biegel (British, 1913–1989) 

THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE 1949, THREE FURLONGS TO GO 

Oil on canvas, 20” x 36”  
Signed, dated ’49  
 
Provenance:  
Sotheby’s, London, e Racing Sale, November 13, 1996  
 
Established in 1839, the Cambridgeshire Handicap is a 1-mile open handicap run at Newmarket. It was founded along with the Cesarewitch Handicap as the “autumn double” of the Newmarket fall meeting. Two years’ running, 1948–49, saw a bright bay colt named Sterope wait for the stewards’ decision before getting his win. In 1948 the rider of the runner-up lodged a complaint, and in the 1949 running, depicted here, the photo finish determined Sterope’s win.