1937 Ingre RARE Ledgendary War Horse Jockey Signed

A remarkable surviving 1937, pre WWII, French steeplechasing presentation, re-touched paint portrait of Ingré, combining a two-time Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris champion, a personal handwritten dedication from his jockey Max Bonaventure, a separate renowned artist signature applied in paint and an engraved period brass plaque.

THE HORSE
Ingré (1932) was one of France's outstanding pre-war jumpers. He won the Grand Prix de la Ville de Nice, Prix Murat and Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in 1937, then claimed the Grand Steeple again in 1939.

A major Auteuil race, the Prix Ingré, still bears his name.

THE SIGNATURES
Shown aboard Ingré is Max Bonaventure, winner of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris four times (1935, 1937, 1939 and 1943). He signed and dedicated this portrait making it a much more personal historical object.

A second signature of artist, 'Ch. Recoupé 37', is applied in paint at the lower right. The name appears consistent with Recoupé, associated with French equestrian photography, fitting for the time period.

THE OWNER & PRESENTATION
Ingré belonged to Arthur Veil-Picard, the record six-time winning owner of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, and was trained by Joseph Ginzbourg. The engraved plaque names the horse, his pedigree, 1937 victories, owner, trainer and jockey.

The large hand-retouched / hand-coloured image and plaque survive together in their period presentation frame.