They called him ‘Lucky Loder’, at least until his incredibly unlucky death from Bright’s disease at the age of 47. Until then, it seemed like he couldn’t lose.
Major Eustace Loder (1867-1914) was a racing man. His beautiful and stalwart mare, Pretty Polly, won 22 of her 24 races, including the 1,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and the St Leger Stakes, earning her the Triple Crown in 1904. She was born, lived and died at Eyrefield Lodge, Co Kildare.
Major Loder bought the house (sight unseen) when he was assigned to the Curragh and it remained in the family until it was sold last summer. Its contents (also sight unseen due to current restrictions) are coming up for auction at Sheppard’s next Thursday and Friday, March 11 and 12.