John Frederick Herring Sr.
Mr William Orde’s bay filly Bees-wing, by Dr Syntax, with Cartwright up
Lot closes
April 15, 12:30 PM GMT
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
Starting Bid
18,000 GBP
We may charge or debit your saved payment method subject to the terms set out in our Conditions of Business for Buyers.
Read more.Lot Details
Description
John Frederick Herring Sr.
Surrey 1795–1863 Meopham, Kent
Mr William Orde’s bay filly Bees-wing, by Dr Syntax, with Cartwright up
signed (strengthened) and dated, lower right: J E Herring 1842
oil on canvas
unframed: 56.1 x 76 cm.; 22⅛ x 29⅞ in.
framed: 66.2 x 86.3 cm.; 26 x 34 in.
With Richard Green, London (inv. no. S 463), by 1978;
Anonymous sale, Kentucky, The Sporting Art Auction, 13 November 2025, lot 16;
Where acquired by the present owner.
Probably London, The Society of British Artists, 1843, no. 390.
O. Beckett, J.F. Herring & Sons, London and New York 1981, p. 113, no. 138.
Bees-wing was a legendary British Thoroughbred mare, celebrated as one of the finest of her era. Bred in northern England, she achieved widespread fame for her outstanding racing achievements. Her sire, Dr Syntax, though small in stature, was a remarkable racehorse who claimed multiple victories in prestigious events such as the Preston Gold Cup and the Richmond Gold Cup.
Bees-wing boasted an impressive lineage, descending from the famed stallions Eclipse and Herod. Between 1835 and 1842, she competed in 63 races, with a stellar record of 51 wins, eight second-place finishes, and one third. Among her many triumphs, the most notable was her win in the 1842 Ascot Gold Cup. She also claimed the Newcastle Cup a record six times and won the Doncaster Cup on four occasions.
Bees-wing’s influence extended far beyond the racetrack. Her popularity inspired a traditional Scottish tune named in her honour, which is now regarded as a beloved melody. Additionally, the Scottish village of Lochend was renamed Bees-wing as a tribute to the mare’s enduring legacy.
