John Frederick Herring, Jnr., 1815-1907

Blue Bonnet was a bay filly belonging to Lord Eglinton, foaled in 1839 by Touchstone out of Maid of Melrose.  She won the St Leger in 1842, but her jockey had been so punishing with the whip that she never raced again.  The painting of Blue Bonnet appears to be a study for a larger painting of the horse, signed and dated 1842, sold in Sotheby's New York on 3rd June 1994, lot 67.  Eryx was a bay colt foaled in 1844 by St Martin out of Venus. He won the Grand Stand Plate at Epsom, the Kelso St Leger, the Ayr Gold Cup, the Northumberland Plate and the Cumberland Plate. The final two races were important and carried purses of £1,075 & £680 respectively. Eryx finished third in the 1847 St Leger behind Van Tromp, both of whom were owned by Lord Eglinton. He was also runner up in the Goodwood Cup. The painting of Eryx appears to be a study for a larger painting of the horse, signed and dated 1847 and sold in these rooms on 18th March 1981, lot 126.