John Frederick Herring Snr

The Estate of Gifford A. Cochran (and sold: American Art Association, Anderson Galleries, Inc., New York, November 12, 1931, lot 20, illustrated)
Mrs. J.G. Douglas, Jr. (acquired at the above sale)

1827 marked a particularly important year for the St. Leger course as the filly Matilda battled it out with the colt Mameluke for the coveted first place trophy. Matilda, bred by the Honorable Edward Petre of Stapleton Park, Yorkshire, won a number of races in addition to the Great Saint Leger, including two sweepstakes at York and Doncaster in 1826. Matilda, by Comus out of Juliana, is shown here with the jockey James Robinson up, sporting Petre’s colors of black and pink. The Bay Matilda is shown well turned out with a braided mane in preparation for the most important race of her career.  Robinson turns as if to get a final bit of advice from the trainer John Scott before the big race.  Herring painted nine additional portraits of this celebrated horse, one of which is in the collection of the British Jockey Club.