MONDAY, December 7th will see some exceptional Irish art go for auction in Whyte’s virtual sale in Dublin. The mastery of Stillorgan-born Sir William Orpen can be found in Sergeant Murphy and Things; Mr Stephen Sanford’s Sergeant Murphy With Captain ‘Tuppy’ Bennett and The Trainer George Blackwell, c.1923 (lot 44, €250,000-€350,000) the artist’s first and highly successful foray into the genre of sporting art.

It depicts perhaps one the most popular Aintree performers at the time who beat the field in 9 minutes 36 seconds. Only six from 28 starters finished and it was the first ever Grand National win for an American owner.