[Willie Carson] de ORGAN, Bryan - 1974

London: Arthur Ackermann and Son, Ltd, 1974. Hand-coloured lithograph printed on fine wove paper. Number 25 from an edition of 150. Signed in pencil by Carson along the lower right side of the image and by Organ in the bottom right margin. Very good condition. "A fine print from 'Six British Jockeys,'" an impressive portfolio of limited edition lithographs depicting several of England's most prestigious jockeys, each of whom has "an established world-wide reputation and has made a valuable and lasting contribution to the sport they serve.." (Foreword to "Six British Jockeys"). Born in Scotland in 1942, Willie Carson, pictured here in the colours of Mr. Roderick More O'Ferrall, was an apprentice to Gerald Armstrong in Yorkshire and later to Sam Armstrong in Newmarket. In 1966, he became first jockey to Lord Derby, and his initial 1962 victory at Catterick was followed by a number of glorious successes at classic races including the 2,000 Guineas of 1972. In his accompanying biographical notes to the portfolio, David Hedges explains that "Carson, with his weight advantage, is able to take many more rides than other heavier jockeys vying for the championship title. But this cheerful, bright-eyed Scot works hard for everything he achieves, and he can be often seen in a race driving for all he is worth a furlong from home on something, which most jockeys would have written off as a lost cause" ( Six British Jockeys ).