Roy Miller, oil painting of the racehorse Madam Gay

Roy Miller (British, born 1938) oil painting of the racehorse Madam Gay, signed & dated '81 and titled, oil on canvas, 41 by 51cm., in gilt frame, minor specks of paint loss, overall good

Madam Gay was a bay filly foaled in 1978 by the German-trained King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Star Appeal out of Saucy Flirt. She was owned by Geoffrey Kaye and trained by Paul Kelleway, father of Gay Kelleway, at the Shalfleet Stables in Newmarket.

Having finished 2nd in the Epsom Oaks, when still a maiden, Lester Piggott rode her to a comfortable victory in the French equivalent the Prix Diane at Chantilly. This was to prove the filly's only career victory although Madam Gay ran with great credit to finish second behind the legendary Shergar in the 1981 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Piggott once again rode her in the very first Arlington Million, then the world's most valuable horse race, and they finished third two lengths behind the winner John Henry.

Madam Gay was sold privately to Daniel Wildenstein for an undisclosed sum, later reported to be $1.4 million. As a yearling at Tattersalls she had been purchased for 8,000 Guineas.

Provenance: the racehorse trainer Gay Kelleway