Print size 17″ X 22″, Image Size 9.5″ X 14″

This print has been in storage since 1967 and has slight discolorations around the print border which does not distract from the beauty of the print and would be easily covered up when matted and framed.

Chestnut colt, 1947
By Bold Venture – Verguenza, by Chicaro
Bred and owned by the King Ranch, of Texas

MIDDLEGROUND won four of his five races as a 2-year-old In 1949, including the Hopeful stakes at Saratoga. His only defeat was in The Arlington Futurity, in which he finshed third. At the end of the year he was given official ranking as the season’s best 2-year-old when the New York racing secretary John B. Campbell assigned him top weight in the Experimental Free Handicap, 126 pounds, two above his noted rival Hill Prince.

At three the rivalry between Middleground and Hill Prince was nip and tuck until Middleground lost form in mid-season. Middleground won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, the two most important tests of 3-year-old Class, but finished second to Hill Prince in the Wood Memorial Stakes, Withers Stakes, and Preakness Stakes. He was also second in the Derby Trial Stakes and Leonard Richards Stakes.

In July, when it appeared definite that he was not in his best condition,Trainer Max Hirsch took him out of competition, intending to give him a rest and bring him back late in the year. But in October, while he was working out at Balmont Park, Middleground struck a fore ankle with a hind foot and fractured both sesamoid bones. The injury was so severe that hopes of racing him again were abandoned and he was retired to the stud at the King Ranch’s farm in Kentucky, near Lexington.

In two seasons of racing Middleground ran 15 times, won six races, was was six times second, once third, earning $ 237,725. His sire, Bold Venture won the Kentucky Derby and also sired the Kentucky Derby winner Assault; he is the only Derby winner ever to sire two winners of the noted classic.