Hurricane, Cataclysm, Handicraft, Woodcraft, Queen Bertha and Spinaway, mares and foals of Viscount Falmouth's, at Mereworth Park, Kent.

This picture shows three celebrated mares, Hurricane, Woodcraft and Queen Bertha, with three of their foals of 1872, Cataclysm, Handicraft and Spinaway. Mereworth was the grandest and most successful stud in the country at the time, and Lord Falmouth, whose trainer Mathew Dawson was a close friend of Hall's, was the artist's most consistent patron. Charles Lane, in his book Harry Hall's Classic Winners (London, 1990, p. 101), records that, in addition to the many portraits of his brilliant colts and fillies, 'Lord Falmouth asked Hall to paint groups of his mares and foals at Mereworth Castle: paintings which show the artist at his best, both in general composition and confirmation of horses'.

Hurricane, by Wild Dayrell out of Midia, won the 1000 guineas in 1862, and was the dam of Atlantic who won the 2000 guineas in 1874. Woodcraft by Voltigeur out of an unnamed mare by Venison, was the dam of Kingcraft who won the 1870 Derby. Queen Bertha, by Kingston out of Flax, won The Oaks in 1863, and was the dam of three famous horses: Wheel of Fortune, Queen's Messenger and Spinaway - the foal at foot. Wheel of Fortune and Spinaway both won the 1000 guineas and The Oaks, and Spinaway was to go on to become the dam of Busybody who, continuing a remarkable line, was another winner of both The Oaks and the 1000 guineas. Cataclysm by Lord Lyon won two races including the Convivial Stakes at York, while Handicraft, by King Tom, appears never to have raced.