Welcome to Spectacular Bids, the world's largest collection of historic, race worn saddle cloths. Saddle cloth (saddle towel) collecting is one of the "boom" areas of thoroughbred memorabilia. A relatively new industry that began in earnest in April of 2000, it inspires passion, fun and profitability for those enthusiasts involved in the hobby. Very similar to owning the game used uniform of an athlete in the National Football League and/or Major League Baseball, owning the saddle cloth that a champion horse wore in a historic race is equally special. I have been fortunate, at one time or another, to own the saddle cloths of such monumental champions as Cigar, Fusaichi Pegasus, Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Gato Del Sol, Affirmed, Gate Dancer, Budroyal, Steinlen, Point Given and Jewel Princess. I have also been the fortunate owner of cloths from such historic races as The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness, The Belmont, The Breeders' Cup, The Arlington Million, The Wood Memorial, The Florida Derby, The Blue Grass Stakes, The Santa Anita Derby, The Santa Anita Handicap, The Hollywood Gold Cup, and even international cloths from The Dubai World Cup, The Japan Cup and the Woodbine Mile. 

There are primarily three areas that determine the value of a saddle cloth. The horse, the race, and the result of the race. Accordingly, the most valuable saddle cloth to a collector would be the winning Kentucky Derby saddle cloth of Secretariat---the most famous horse winning the most famous race. A saddle cloth worn by a famous horse in any race, would be more valuable than a less famous horse in the same race. A race worn Kentucky Derby saddle cloth would be worth more than a saddle cloth from any other race. A winning saddle cloth is more valuable than a non-winning cloth. But like any subjective science, value and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I have an affinity for horses that have comedy oriented names, because of my career as a comic. So, in spite of owning close to 1500 cloths from the world's biggest races and superstar horses, the only saddle cloths that I have framed in my den are those of "Jokerman",  "Punchline" and "Distorted Humor".   But this is what's wonderful about collecting these items. It's a love affair of infinite reasons. 

Special stories about special horses

Spectacular Values - New!....What is the value of saddle cloths?

The Woodward walkover

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Coming Soon: The Strub Series