American, mid 19th century, goblet form with floral and scroll decoration, inscribed "Awarded By The/American Institute/At The 24th Annual Fair 1851/To John McChesney/For The Best Stallion/Tom Thumb", unmarked, 6-7/8 in., 6.25 oz. T. small dents, spots of heavy tarnish, light scratches. Notes: In 1851 Tom Thumb proved his worth to his new owner by winning the first premium in the Category of Horses for All Work. It is reported in the Annual Report of the American Institute of New York City that the Stallion Tom Thumb received first premium, a prize worth $20 which was presented to his owner in the form of the goblet currently being offered. Many top stallions of the day were also present at the fair with “Young Andrew Jackson” where received a $15 premium and “Comet” a $10 Premium while other great cracks of the day and strong producers such as “Cassius M. Clay”, “Young Norma” and “Black Hawk” only received diplomas. Tom Thumb was one of the most famous trotting horses in the United States and England in the first half of the 19th century. The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser reported that: “The celebrated American horse Tom Thumb, whose feat of trotting one hundred miles in harness in little more than ten hours, over Sunbury Common, excited so much astonishment some time back, again made his appearance in the sporting world on Monday (September 6), and performed a task scarcely less surprising and certainly unprecedented in the annals of trotting 'in' this country. Trotting sixteen miles in harness within the hour.” While his pedigree seems to be a bit of a mystery, some claimed he was of Canadian blood, some insisted that he had been a wild horse from the American frontier, while most believed Tom Thumb to be of early Morgan stock. small dents, spots of heavy tarnish, light scratches