Tunbridge Wells has reconnected with its Royal roots after a statue of The Queen’s favourite racehorse, on loan from Her Majesty, was put on display in the Assembly Hall over the weekend.
It was the first time the 6ft 3inch figure of the Ascot Gold Cup winner Estimate had been seen in public and formed the centre piece of the Tunbridge Wells International Art Fair.
The bronze resin sculpture was created by the world-renowned sculptor Tessa Campbell Fraser – who since June has been represented by The Pantiles-based SEEART Gallery owner Susan Beumee – and will now be auctioned for charity at Newmarket.
It is one of two sculptures of the horse commissioned by The Queen, with a second solid bronze version now on display in the grounds of Sandringham Estate.
Mrs Campbell Fraser and her husband, the impressionist Rory Bremner, attended a private viewing on Thursday.
Event organiser Victoria Hansen said: “Our private view evening went very well despite the referendum voting.
“A great bonus was the SEEART Gallery being allowed to bring HM The Queen’s horse Estimate to the Assembly Hall Theatre – helping to put the Royal back in to Royal Tunbridge Wells.”
Ms Beumee said: “It was a fabulous event and Tessa thought the horse looked magnificent with the surrounding displays.
“I think it was good for the town to re-connect with the present day royal family.”
The £2,500 transportation costs to get the sculpture to Tunbridge Wells were met with funding by SEEART and event sponsors Hoopers, Knight Frank, RVP, Camden Quarter, Berkeley, Altitude, Royal Riviera and Thomson Snell and Passmore.
