Horse Racing Memorabilia | Collectibles & Collectors Items

Horse racing is an equestrian sport which has been around for centuries, and is often linked with gambling and betting. It is popular worldwide including countries such as Great Britain, America, Ireland, Hong Kong, and India. Horse racing memorabilia have become fashionable collectibles in recent years. Some of these items can have real value, especially the more rare and vintage pieces from the golden days of racing. Keen collectors will collect just about anything with a race horse on it. Many however, specialise in one type of item or items related to a single horse or a particular race. Glasses and programmes are probably the two most valued items. Collectors enjoy the thrill of the hunt involved in the building of their collection.

What do collectors look for?
Collectors are attracted to both vintage and modern horse racing memorabilia. They collect pieces from international, national or club races. Collectors are especially keen on pieces that have been autographed by famous horse racing icons such as Frankie Dettori and Lester Piggott. The list below shows a popular selection of horse racing collectibles available to buy:

Souvenir Glasses
Original Programmes, Passes & Race Cards
Signed Jockey Silks and Breeches
Saddle Cloth and Blankets
Signed and Framed Limited Edition Presentations
Signed and Framed Limited Edition Photographs
Sales Catalogues
Books and Magazines
Equine Art, Prints, Posters and Images
Classic Racing Photos
Pins & Plates
Commemorative Books
Signed Cards and Postcards
Limited Edition Jockey Club owned Paintings
Equestrian Bronzes such as Clocks
Bobble head dolls

If you are collecting as a form of investment, it may be worth knowing that items of memorabilia which have been worn or used by racing icons will be more desirable. Items from horse racing legends that have recently passed away will also be more valuable.

Where can you find Horse Racing Memorabilia?

Horse Racing Memorabilia Auctions
The quickest and most direct way is to search on large online auction houses where other thriving collectors log on to offer hundreds of items up for sale every day. Alternatively, try your luck by logging onto a specialist online horseracing or sports auction website. These websites carry an array of horseracing and other sports memorabilia to sell to prospective buyers and collectors. Attending an auction can be great fun, particularly if you are a skilful bidder! Details of sporting and horseracing memorabilia auctions as well as more general antiques auctions,can be found on these specialist websites or your local newspaper.

Antique Markets
Another fun way of hunting down horseracing memorabilia is to visit your local and regional flea markets and antique markets. You can enjoy the sociable atmosphere and may even find some bargains!

Mail Order and Specialist Individual Websites
Going to an online retailer or mail order company is probably the most straightforward way of finding what you are looking for. They offer convenience and a wide range of products. Browse through their website or catalogue, complete your order form and before long, the items will be delivered to directly to you at home! Shopping online also means that you can buy any item from any retailer around the world. To ensure you have a positive shopping experience, do the following:
Protect yourself from fraud by shopping on a secure encrypted website.
Check the seller's refund and returns policy as well as other terms and conditions.
Be aware of your rights under the 'Distance Selling Directive', which gives you 7 days to return your goods.
Arrange relevant insurance cover to protect yourself from damage or loss.

Horse Racing Memorabilia Events and Exhibitions
There are a many opportunities to visit specialist sporting or horseracing events and exhibitions in and around the UK. These fairs may take place at specific races, corporate days, gift fairs, evening dinners, county shows and others. There will be a selection of exhibition stands displaying and selling all kinds of sporting goods, including horseracing memorabilia. Family activities and fundraising events are often organised also.

Collectors' Clubs
For the more serious or academic collector, joining a collectors' club can be the ideal way of sharing your hobby and interest with other like-minded hobbyists. The internet is home to the vast majority of these clubs. Collectors can join a vibrant online community where they can indulge their hobby as well as socialise and chat. The other services offered by these collectors clubs include the regular publication of online magazines and newsletters, and online shops where collectors can buy and sell their memorabilia.

Museums, Publications and Websites
Here is a small selection of resources which may be able to provide you with useful information, or which may carry advertisements selling horseracing memorabilia:

The Equillector; an online price and identification guide to horse racing collectibles
The National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket, Suffolk
Horseracing History Online
Racing Ahead Magazine
Horse & Hound Magazine
Thoroughbred Times
Blood Horse
The Horseracing Memorabilia Museum
Thoroughbred Racing Memorabilia Auctions
Collectibles Magazine
Antiques & Collectibles Magazine

Classifieds
Listings in the printed and online versions of classifieds and directories, such as the online resource 'The Horse Directory', can also be a useful place to find unusual items of horseracing memorabilia.

How to Buy Horse Racing Memorabilia Safely?
Condition is all important in when buying paper items like programmes and tickets. While horseracing collectors can be more accepting of flaws in old or very desirable items, be aware that poor condition will still affect the value.

If buying items of memorabilia that may be fragile, delicate or easily breakable, use a professional delivery company with appropriate insurance cover. Alternatively, it may be safer to collect the items yourself!

How to Buy Authentic Signed Memorabilia?
Most collectors value proof of authenticity above anything else. To guarantee that the item you have just purchased is not a fake, buy from a reputable company that :
carries out stringent checks on all their signed items using the professional services of an industry expert
provides a Certificate of Authenticity with every purchase
provides an individual and unique serial number with every purchase
provides an item history including details of dates, times, and venues of the signing